The Leader of the Oshimili North Local Government Legislative Arm, Honourable Chris Nwamgbor, has reaffirmed that he remains the duly elected leader of the legislature, dismissing as “invalid and unlawful” the purported impeachment announced by a group of councillors led by Hon. Jeffrey Mordi, representing Okpanam Ward.
Hon. Nwamgbor, who represents the Atuma-Iga Ward, said the process allegedly used to announce his removal fell short of all known legislative procedures, relevant laws, and the council’s standing orders. He recalled that he was formally elected leader of the legislative arm following the inauguration of councillors, a development widely reported in mid-2024, and remains the legitimate occupant of the office.
In a statement to newsmen, Nwamgbor described the impeachment attempt as “a political manoeuvre by a few individuals seeking to disrupt legislative harmony and derail developmental programs for Oshimili North under the leadership of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Innocent Esewezie.”
He insisted that no lawful notice of impeachment was issued, no hearing panel was constituted, and no due process was followed as required by the Delta State Local Government Law and the legislature’s internal rules.
“I remain the duly elected and recognized leader of this council’s legislative arm,” he said.
“Any attempt to remove me without observing due process is null, void, and of no effect. We will explore all legal channels to protect the rule of law and the integrity of the legislature.”
Hon. Nwamgbor added that key stakeholders — including fellow councillors and community leaders — have continued to express confidence in his leadership, further strengthening what he described as his “unquestionable legitimacy.”
The incident that triggered the dispute occurred during plenary, where members were deliberating a motion on the ban of fireworks during the festive season in light of growing insecurity nationwide. It was during the session that Hon. Jeffrey Mordi reportedly stood up and read a letter of impeachment, claiming it had been signed by a majority of councillors, a letter that, according to Nwamgbor, was never formally communicated to the Clerk of the House as required.
Witnesses said the Okpanam councillor then led a group of members who allegedly attempted to compel the Clerk to swear him in as leader after the mace was hurriedly taken away, an action Nwamgbor described as a “failed attempt at legislative brigandage.”
Despite the uproar, Hon. Chris Nwamgbor maintains that he remains the lawful leader and vowed that the legislature will not be destabilized by what he termed a baseless and unconstitutional move.