By Our Reporter
A political crisis has erupted in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following allegations by councillors that the council chairman, Mr. Inibehe Umah, sponsored thugs to disrupt a legislative sitting and assault lawmakers.
Addressing journalists in Uyo on Tuesday, the Leader of the Ini Legislative Council, Mr. Donald Usoroh, accused the chairman of undermining democratic processes, lacking transparency in governance, and operating the council without legislative oversight since assuming office in October 2024.
Usoroh, who appeared alongside seven of the council’s 11 councillors, alleged that more than 100 hoodlums stormed the council chambers during a plenary session and physically attacked lawmakers.
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According to him, the councillors had invited the chairman to appear before the legislative council and present details of the council’s income and expenditure in line with their constitutional oversight responsibilities.
He cited provisions of the council byelaws, particularly Section 28 subsections C and F, which empower legislators to scrutinize monthly financial statements and perform oversight functions to ensure effective administration of the council.
Usoroh claimed that despite repeated efforts by the lawmakers to exercise these powers, the chairman had consistently refused to cooperate.
He alleged that the disruption occurred after the council formally requested financial records covering the chairman’s first year in office.
The legislative leader further claimed that several councillors sustained injuries during the incident, while their mobile phones were damaged. He also alleged that journalists covering the proceedings were assaulted and had two cameras seized by the attackers.
The councillors appealed to Governor Umo Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other stakeholders in the state to intervene and prevent further escalation of the dispute.
However, the council chairman denied the all egations.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on New Media, Mr. Idy Udofia, Umah described the claims as false, baseless, and politically motivated.
He maintained that no thugs were mobilized against the lawmakers, explaining that residents had gathered at the council secretariat following the recent approval of constituency projects worth about N110 million across the 11 political wards in the local government.
According to the chairman, the citizens visited the secretariat to obtain information about the implementation of projects approved for their respective communities, dismissing the allegations as an attempt at political blackmail.
