PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MAJORITY LEADER OF THE UDENU LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE, RT. HON. DR. NNAMDI ODOH
Delivered at a World Press Conference on March 12, 2025
Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
On behalf of the esteemed members of the Udenu Local Government Legislative Council, I stand before you today to address the recent and well-considered impeachment of the erstwhile Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Odoh, which took place yesterday, March 11, 2025.
This decision was not made in haste. Rather, it was a product of painstaking deliberation, an exercise of our constitutional and legislative duties, and an affirmation of our commitment to good governance, accountability, and the rule of law in Udenu Local Government Area.
1. First and foremost, I must extend an apology to the good people of Udenu for what we now recognize as a grievous error in judgment. Despite glaring antecedents that should have warned us otherwise, we entrusted Dr. Nnamdi Odoh with the revered office of Leader of the Legislative Council. We erred in giving him the benefit of the doubt, believing that his previous misdeeds and betrayals of legislative trust were matters of the past.
During our first tenure, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Odoh colluded with the Executive arm in a manner that rendered the entire Legislature impotent, resulting in a total lack of development in our respective Wards. Instead of being the voice of the Councilors, he became a tool of oppression, suppressing the very individuals who entrusted him with leadership. His overbearing disposition, high-handedness, and intimidation were beyond tolerable limits. Rather than serving as a bridge between the Executive and the Legislature, he chose to serve only himself.
Yet, despite these glaring red flags, we reconsidered his leadership upon his apology and promises of reform. Unfortunately, a leopard does not change its spots. No sooner had he assumed leadership again than he intensified his arrogance, self-aggrandizement, and insatiable quest for power, bringing dishonor to this hallowed legislative chamber.
2. Among his many transgressions, one of the most damning was his deliberate attempt to instigate conflict between the Legislative and Executive arms of government. In an unprovoked and deceitful manner, he fabricated a spurious allegation against the Executive Chairman of Udenu Local Government, claiming that the Ukwu Akpu—Ozo Ji—New Makurdi Road project was a mere 600 meters, while the Chairman falsely claimed it to be 2 kilometers to siphon public funds.
Upon thorough investigation, his claim was proven to be a malicious falsehood, intended to incite disaffection and chaos. An independent review of the contract papers and budget proposal affirmed that the project was accurately measured at 600 meters, as officially documented. This deliberate misinformation was nothing short of legislative sabotage—a desperate attempt to erode the credibility of the Executive Chairman and paint the government of Udenu in a negative light.
Yet, the reality remains that the Aka Eze Aka-led administration has demonstrated transparency, inclusiveness, and a clear vision for development. The Executive Chairman has not only extended an open hand of collaboration to the Legislative Council but has also ensured that the welfare of Councilors is prioritized, as evidenced in our memo dated February 16, 2025, signed by all 10 Councilors of Udenu. In that document, we unequivocally commended the Executive Chairman for his inclusiveness and urged all political appointees to emulate his leadership style this: "We thank the Local Government Chairman for an inclusive Government and advise All political appointees under Aka Eze Aka to follow up and learn from the Mayor, who has repeatedly assured Councillors of inclusiveness in the administration."
3. Despite our repeated counsel and appeals for him to conduct himself in a manner befitting of his office, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Odoh persisted in bringing shame to our Legislative Council. On February 6, 2025 at Solid FM, and February 15, 2025 at Afia TV, respectively, he made reckless, unverified, and highly embarrassing statements that cast the Enugu State Government in bad light, falsely claiming that Councilors in Enugu State and the entire Southeast are the least remunerated in Nigeria. He made these claims, despite the clear and verifiable plans of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration to improve the welfare of Councilors and ensure they play active roles in project supervision within their wards.
Despite being advised to retract those damaging statements, he stubbornly refused, maintaining his reckless rhetoric and ignoring the collective voice of the Legislative Council that he purportedly led. His utterances were never a reflection of our views, but a selfish misrepresentation of our collective position.
4. Furthermore, during our first tenure, Dr. Nnamdi Odoh served as the Chairman of the Enugu State Forum of Councilors, in line with the standing rule that wherever the ALGON Chairman comes from, that LGA produces the Chairman of the Councilors Forum.
However, in this current dispensation, despite clear directives and our collective decision, he defied legislative convention and illegally vied for the same position, despite the ALGON Chairman now coming from another Local Government. When he failed, he went further to Abuja to fraudulently manipulate his way into the Southeast Councilors Forum Chairmanship, a position zoned to Enugu State, and which should be occupied by the legitimate Chairman of the Councilors Forum in the State.
5. As if his legislative misconduct was not enough, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Odoh engaged in gross financial misconduct by diverting allowances meant for the Clerk of the House and the Sergeant-at-Arms into his personal account. Instead of disbursing the rightful entitlements, he gave them mere peanuts, a clear abuse of power and financial recklessness.
To further compound his disgraceful tenure, he was frequently seen in street beer parlors in Obollo Afor, engaging in public drunkenness and misconduct, thereby dragging the image of our Legislative Council into disrepute.
6. In view of the overwhelming evidence of his incompetence, misconduct, and abuse of office, the Legislative Council, acting within its constitutional and legislative authority, took the legitimate and necessary step of removing Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Odoh from office as Leader of the House.
His impeachment was democratic, lawful, and final. In his place, the Council has elected Rt. Hon. Patrick O. Ugwu from Amalla Ward, a man of proven integrity and legislative experience, who hails from the same Development Centre as the impeached Leader.
7. We have formally presented Rt. Hon. Patrick O. Ugwu to the Executive Chairman, Aka Eze Aka, this morning, and he has since assumed his duties. The Udenu Local Government Legislative Council remains committed to upholding the rule of law, defending the interests of our constituents, and working in harmony with the Executive arm to deliver the dividends of democracy.
We wish to reaffirm our support for the Executive Chairman and the inclusive leadership of Governor Peter Mbah. We shall never again allow the selfish ambitions of one individual to derail the progress of Udenu Local Government.
Thank you, and God bless Udenu Local Government, Enugu State, and Nigeria.
SIGNED:
Rt. Hon. Sunday Emeka Onah
Majority Leader, Udenu Local Government Legislative Council