How Nwoye became the new Enugu State Deputy Governor

 

A clergyman, Ralph Ifeanyichukwu Nwoye, has emerged the new Deputy Governor of Enugu State Daily Independent reports

Nwoye is to take over the office, which became vacant following the impeachment of the immediate past occupant, Sunday Onyebuchi.

Onyebuchi was impeached by the state House of Assembly on Tuesday over allegation of “gross misconduct” levelled against by the lawmakers.

The new Deputy Governor is of the Christ Ascension Church.

He was screened and cleared by the House of Assembly following his nomination by Governor Sullivan Chime.

After the Assembly had returned from a short break during Thursday’s plenary, the Speaker, Eugene Odoh, read a letter from the Governor, urging the lawmskers to “expeditiously consider, and approve” Nwoye’s nomination.

Relying on Section 191 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Chime in the letter said Nwoye’s nomination was sequel to the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy Governor.

After the letter had been read, Leader of the House,

S.K. Ude-Okoye, seconded by Deputy Leader, John Ukuta, raised motion for immediate acceptance and consideration of the letter, and for the nominee’s screening.

Nwoye was then ushered into the chambers of the Assembly for screening.

He, however, ended up just taking a bow after a lawmaker, John Anichukwu, pleaded with his colleagues that “the reverend gentleman standing before us be allowed to take a bow and leave the chambers”.

Ude-Okoye supported the plea, noting that Nwoye had been screened and cleared by the Assembly in the past, when he was appointed as Commissioner of Environment and Solid Minerals.

He had also appeared before the legislators when he served as the elected Deputy Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government area, Ude-Okoye also recalled.

Raising the motion for the Assembly to clear Nwoye, Ude-Okoye said: “By age he is qualified to be the Deputy Governor of this state, he is qualified by birth.

“He is qualified as a full Nigerian, and by educational qualification, he is qualified to hold this excellent position.”

The House Leader added that Nwoye was also qualified due to his conduct as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nwoye was described as a loyal party man.

“He is qualified by the conduct known by this House as one-time Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals of this state, and one-time Deputy Chairman of Nkanu East.

“Twenty-four of us are members of the same party and Rev. Nwoye is our party member and a loyal party man.

“I am moving a motion that this House clear Rev. Nwoye as the deputy governor of Enugu State.”

The lawmakers, through a voice vote, unanimously adopted the motion and cleared Nwoye.

The impeached Deputy Governor, Onyebuchi, was accused of running a poultry farm in his official residence, in spite of a resolution of the House that outlawed the practice.

He was also accused of refusing to represent the Governor at official functions.

Having denied the allegations in his testimony before the investigative panel, Onyebuchi has said he will challenge his impeachment in court.