‎By Peter Jonah
Today, the historic town of Burutu, headquarters of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State is taken by awe as the Leader of its Legislative Arm, Hon Ekereke Odafe Bibobra, along with Hon Akpososo Brigila (Deputy Leader) and Azigbeotu Samson (Majority Leader), have been impeached from their positions.
This comes after 14 out of 20 councillors signed for their removal, citing various allegations such as gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, abuse of office, and high-handedness.
The news has sent shockwaves through the community and the entire LGA, as the three former leaders were well-respected and held important positions in the local government. The decision to impeach them was not taken lightly, as it was based on concrete evidence and the majority support of the legislative arm.
In their place, Hon (Barr) Zimughan A. Martins has been elected as the new Leader. Hon Clement wagha has been elected as Deputy Leader, and Hon Pondy Ebipadewei stainless as Majority Leader, Hon Goodluck Ayangor as Chief Whip, and Hon Paul Florence (Miss) as Deputy Chief Whip. These new leaders have been chosen to steer the Legislative Arm in a new direction and bring a fresh perspective to governance in Burutu.
The reasons for the impeachment of the former leaders are grave and cannot be taken lightly. Gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, and abuse of office are serious offenses that cannot be ignored. The Legislative Arm has a responsibility to uphold the values of transparency, accountability, and fairness, and the decision to impeach the former leaders shows their commitment to these principles.
The new leadership, under Hon Zimughan A. Martins, is expected to bring positive changes and restore the trust of the people in the legislative arm. As a Barrister, Hon Martins brings a wealth of legal knowledge and experience to the position, which will be crucial in ensuring that the legislative arm operates within the confines of the law. Along with the new Leader, the election’s of Hon Clement wagha, Hon Pondy Ebipadewei stainless, Hon Goodluck Ayangor, and Hon Paul Florence (Miss) as Deputy Leader, Majority Leader, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip respectively, are expected to bring a balance of experience, expertise, and diversity to the legislative arm.
The Burutu LGA can now look forward to a transparent and accountable government, with the newly elected leaders at the helm. The people’s voices have been heard, and their concerns have been addressed through the impeachment of the former leaders. This marks a new beginning for the legislative arm, and a step towards a better and brighter future for the town of Burutu.
According to the councillors, the impeachment of the Leader of Burutu legislative arm and the subsequent election of new leaders is a significant event that will have a lasting impact on the Council. It shows that the people’s voices are being heard, and that the legislative arm is committed to upholding the values of good governance. The new leadership brings a promise of positive change and a renewed hope for the people of Burutu Local Government.
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‎ In his acceptance speech, the new Leader, Hon (Barr) Zimughan A. Martins thanked both God and his fellow colleagues for entrusting him with the position. He made a promise to not let any personal vendettas affect his leadership but maintain a cordial relationships among colleagues. He expressed his gratitude towards his party and the council chairman Chief (Dr) Julius Takeme for bringing uncommon developments to the grassroots level. He emphasized the importance of a harmonious and transparent working relationship between the legislative and executive branches in order to fulfill the promises made to the people who voted them into office. He made it clear that his ultimate goal is to deliver on the dividends of democracy and heal any divides caused by past poor leadership.
