The Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed, Ralph Nwoye, as the new deputy governor of the state. He replaces Sunday Onyebuchi who was impeached on Tuesday, August 26, over allegations that he owned a poultry behind his official quarters where he raised chickens and also for failing to represent Governor Sullivan Chime at some functions.
A pastor turned politician, Nwoye, was former caretaker local government chairman in the state. He is a pastor at the Christ Ascension Church in Enugu.
Onyebuchi’s impeachment is however widely rumoured to be masterminded by state governor, Sullivan Chime after the duo fell out over several issues, some of them personal.
Among the allegations levelled against Onyebuchi was that he was rearing chickens in the Enugu Government House. But he insisted that the governor himself was also rearing all kinds of animals, apart from chickens, in the Government House.
Also, Onyebuchi’s impeachment has been attributed in some quarters to his closeness with the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who is not in good terms with Governor Chime. He was also accused of mismanaging the funds allocated to his office.
Sources also said Onyebuchi ran into trouble with Governor Chime because of his perceived Senatorial ambition for Enugu Eastern district because Chime’s Chief of staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, is also eyeing that ticket in 2015.
The impeachment moves against the deputy governor started on 22 July, 2014, when a motion was moved by Udo Okoye, representing Awgu North State Constituency during the house plenary. His motion was endorsed by 21 out of the 24-member Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-dominated house.
