Allegations have accused Uchenna Erondu (Jnr) of funding the plot to impeach Chinedum Orji, the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly. However, Erondu has vehemently denied these accusations and dissociated himself from the ongoing crisis in the assembly. He stated that he has not given any money to legislators or authorized anyone to obtain the buy-in of members of the assembly on his behalf.
On Tuesday, 16 out of the 24-member assembly impeached Mr. Orji over allegations of gross misconduct. In response, Mr. Orji called an emergency plenary session with eight members, where they announced the suspension of the nine members involved in his purported impeachment. Mr. Erondu, who is a former aide to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, was accused of financially inducing the 16 members who voted to impeach the speaker.
Mr. Erondu has urged those spreading the “unfounded and malicious allegations” to stop and advised them to engage in meaningful ventures instead of resorting to character assassination. Meanwhile, the ongoing crisis has led to the factionalization of the state’s House of Assembly.