A new Chairman, Mrs Uloma Nwogu, has been sworn in for Obingwa LGA, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s local government of origin.
She was sworn-in by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu inside government house, Umuahia on Monday.
Until her new position, Mrs Nwogu was the Deputy Chairman of Obingwa Council.
The removal is a culmination of about six weeks of tension and protests that followed former LGA boss, Hon Ibe Nwoke’s resignation from PDP, the ruling party in Abia.
Last two weeks, the ex- LGA boss openly announced his defection to the Young Progressive Party (YPP),in a mega rally of YPP at Aba.
During the said defection, Nwoke alleged that a lot of things went wrong in PDP which according to him, necessitated his exit, together with his supporters.
But while performing the swearing- in ceremony of the new Obingwa LGA Chairman at the Exco Chambers of government house, Umuahia, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said he was in receipt of a letter dated 23rd May, 2022 written by the former Executive Chairman of Obingwa LGA Hon Ibe Nwoke where Ibe Nwoke resigned his membership of PDP.
He explained that in consonance with the laws guiding the Abia State local government system, the consequence is that Mr Nwoke breached the provisions of Section 23, Sub -section 1(f) of the Abia State local Government Law No. 2 of 2006.
The Governor noted that the Law makes it imperative for a new Chairman to be sworn in to take over the reins of power at Obingwa local government.
According to him, the event marked a milestone in the development of the local government system, noting that his administration was the only one that deemed it wise to conduct local government elections for two consecutive times within his tenure.
Dr Ikpeazu added that the essence is to deepen democracy and involve youth and women in the governance process.
Ikpeazu congratulated the new LGA Chairman and enjoined her to protect the interest of Obingwa and Abia State by mainstreaming the interest of women and youths.
Governor Ikpeazu further advised her to leave legacies, as her stewardship will open more doors for women in politics and administration.
In her acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Mrs Uloma Nwogu thanked the Governor for finding her worthy to serve and promised not to disappoint him and the state.
The oaths of office and allegiance were administered on the new Chairman by Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of Abia State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Uzoamaka Uche Ikonne.
It would be recalled that some group of youths and women group had last week, occupied the Obingwa LGA secretariat in demand for the former Chairman’s removal.
However, some group of politicians in Abia State attributed the ex-Chairman’s movement to YPP to alleged impositions in PDP.