The lingering political tension in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has escalated as 11 out of 12 councillors signed a resolution to impeach the Council Chairman, Hon. Ogbofia Ikechukwu, over allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and neglect of governance responsibilities.
The latest rift centers on an alleged ₦100 million earmarked for the renovation of the local legislative chambers, which the councillors claim remains uncompleted despite full budgetary provision. The lawmakers accused the chairman of “high-handedness, financial misconduct, and political intolerance,” saying his leadership has sidelined them and other key stakeholders in the council.
In their petition, the councillors listed a series of grievances, including diversion of state palliatives, exclusion from governance, favoritism in youth programs, and failure to execute development projects across the wards. They also alleged that their monthly entitlements had gone unpaid for months, while projects captured in the 2025 budget, such as the councillors’ three-bedroom bungalow scheme remain untouched.
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“It is regrettable that the chairman transferred ward mobilization duties to his special assistants, rendering us powerless in our constituencies,” one councillor said. “We are routinely ignored in council matters, and despite the governor’s directive on Christmas rice distribution, we received less than half of what was approved.”
They further alleged that the chairman’s ward, Abaomege, has monopolized registration buses and other government benefits, while the remaining wards have been left behind. “Only Abaomege has enjoyed any meaningful project implementation in over a year, despite a ₦12 billion budget,” another councillor lamented.
According to political analyst Mr. Ifeanyi Oguta, the councillors had convened recently to review the worsening situation and decided to take collective action. He claimed that upon learning of their move, the chairman summoned them to a meeting that “ended in humiliation.”
“The council boss boasted of his closeness to the governor and dismissed the councillors’ grievances with arrogance,” Oguta alleged.
The Trumpet gathered that the councillors have submitted a formal petition to Governor Francis Nwifuru and other top political leaders in Ebonyi State, urging intervention and immediate investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds and leadership failures under Hon. Ikechukwu.
The unfolding crisis has deepened the cracks within the Onicha Local Government Council, fueling calls for transparency, accountability, and possible suspension of the embattled chairman pending investigation.
