The leadership of the Legislative Arm of Bomadi Local Government Council has rejected the impeachment notice issued against the council’s Executive Chairman, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, describing it as illegal, baseless and driven by political vendetta.
In an official rebuttal jointly signed by the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Wurukeseye Doubbra, and the Clerk of the House, Comrade Julius Clarke, the council leadership said the impeachment process initiated by a faction of councillors failed to meet the requirements of the Delta State Local Government Law, 2017 (as amended).
The rebuttal, addressed to the Delta State House of Assembly, argued that the impeachment notice dated January 5, 2026, and received on January 7, was procedurally void and legally non-existent.
According to the council leadership, no valid legislative sitting was held on the said date, noting that the Clerk was absent and had publicly disowned the meeting, describing it as a “kangaroo sitting”.
They further stated that the notice was not served through the Clerk of the House, as required by law, stressing that this alone rendered the impeachment process null and void.
Reacting to allegations of financial misconduct, the leadership dismissed claims that Andaye forged councillors’ signatures to secure an N800m loan, stating that the loan was duly approved by a resolution of the Legislative Arm on June 22, 2025, following an Executive Committee decision days earlier.
They explained that the bank transaction only required the signature of the Leader of the House, in line with established practice, adding that no forgery occurred.
The allegation that vigilantes and thugs were used to intimidate councillors and residents was also dismissed as false, with the council leadership stating that the local vigilante unit operated legally alongside security agencies during the Operation Safe Yuletide in December 2025, which reportedly recorded zero major security incidents.
On claims that the Chairman locked up the legislative chambers, the leadership said the action was taken to restore order after an alleged illegal sitting aimed at suspending the Leader and Clerk without quorum and with a fake mace.
They described the sealing of the chambers for 48 hours as a crisis-management step rather than an attempt to suppress legislative activities.
The leadership also refuted allegations of secret appointments, unapproved contracts and breach of oath, insisting that all appointments were approved by the Local Government Service Commission, contracts were captured in approved budgets, and that Andaye duly declared his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau in July 2024.
According to the statement, the impeachment plot was being driven by councillors who were earlier suspended for participating in an illegal sitting and who had previously passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman in December 2025.
“These are not principled lawmakers but disgruntled actors opposed to the Chairman’s transformation agenda,” the statement said.
The council leadership highlighted Andaye’s record of achievements, noting that he had delivered over 20 projects and initiatives and had received multiple national and institutional awards for local government performance and community development.
They described the impeachment attempt as a political stunt lacking evidence of gross misconduct, as required by law.
The leadership urged the Delta State House of Assembly to reject the impeachment notice, demand documentary proof from the accusers and grant the Chairman a fair hearing in line with due process.
“We remain committed to transparency, accountability and the rule of law,” the statement added, pledging readiness to present documents and witnesses to substantiate their claims.
The full statement reads;
OFFICIAL REBUTTAL TO IMPEACHMENT NOTICE AGAINST HON. DAGIDI ANDAYE, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, BOMADI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
We, the undersigned — Hon. Wurukeseye Doubra (Leader of the Legislative Arm) and Cmr. Julius Clarke (Clerk of the Legislative Arm) — formally respond to the “Notice of Impeachment” dated January 5, 2026, submitted by a faction of Councilors and received by your esteemed House on January 7, 2026. We categorically reject the allegations as baseless, procedurally void, and politically motivated, and we demand that due process — as enshrined in the Delta State Local Government Law — be strictly observed before any further action is taken.
- Preliminary Objection: The Notice is Null and Void for Lack of Due Process
Section 31(2) of the Delta State Local Government Law, 2017 (as amended) requires that an impeachment notice be:
“…initiated by a written notice signed by not less than two‑thirds of the total membership of the Legislative Arm, served on the Chairman through the Clerk of the House, and accompanied by documentary proof of the alleged misconduct.”
Yet the record confirms that:
No valid meeting was convened on January 5, 2026 — no notice was served, and the Clerk was absent. In fact, the Clerk publicly denounced the session as a “kangaroo meeting” and confirmed he never participated.
The notice was not served through the Clerk — a fatal flaw under the law. Without the Clerk’s service, the notice is legally non‑existent.
This alone renders the entire process void ab initio. Courts have repeatedly held that “where a statute prescribes a specific procedure for removal, strict compliance is mandatory” — as seen in Adeyemi v. Ogun State Local Government Service Commission (2022).
- Rebuttal to Specific Allegations
Allegation 1: “Forgery of Councilors’ Signatures to Obtain an ₦800 Million Loan Without Legislative Approval”
Fact: The loan was approved by resolution of the Legislative Arm on the 22nd of June 2025, following an Executive Committee decision on June 18th , 2025 — both documented are attached. The bank required only the signatures of the Leader , as per standard practice — not individual councilors. No signature was forged; the documents bear the authentic signatures of Hon. Wurukeseye Doubra.
It is pertinent to note that the Delta State Local Government Law permits loans approved by resolution — no further signature is required. The allegation is a deliberate falsehood intended to defame the Chairman.
Allegation 2: “Use of Vigilantes and Thugs to Intimidate Citizens and Councilors”
Fact: The Bomadi Local Government Vigilante Unit operates under the Delta State Law to assist the Police and JTF. During the Bomadi Operation Safe Yuletide (December 2025), they worked alongside security agencies — resulting in zero major incidents — a feat praised by indigenes and diaspora alike. No complaint was ever filed by any councillor or citizen. The claim is hearsay, unsupported by any police report or affidavit.
Allegation 3: “Locking Up Legislative Chambers to Disrupt Sittings”
Fact: On 5th January, 2025, the Leader and Clerk informed the Chairman that an illegal emergency session — without quorum, without the mace, and under duress — was being staged to suspend the Leader. The Clerk confirmed he was forced to preside and that the mace used was fake. To prevent further chaos, the Chairman ordered the chambers sealed for 48 hours — not to silence debate, but to restore order. This was not high‑handedness — it was crisis management. The chambers were reopened once calm was restored.
Allegation 4: “Appointment of Unqualified Aides Paid Secretly”
Fact: All staff appointments followed the Public Service Rules and were approved by the Local Government Service Commission. Their salaries are processed through the Local |Government Finance and Treasury Department in collaboration with the Local Government Service Commission — no “secret” payments exist. A full list of aides, casual staff and payroll registers is available for audit.
Allegation 5: “Award of Unapproved Contracts to Self”
Fact: All projects through direct labour and contract were approved by the Legislative Arm — as evidenced by the 2024 and 2025 Annual Estimates. No contract was diverted to the Chairman personally. Audit reports confirm compliance.
Allegation 6: “Breach of Oath and Asset Declaration”
Fact: The Chairman filed his asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau in the month of July, 2024 — receipt attached. No breach has been reported by the Bureau.
- The Real Motive: Fifth‑Columnist Machinations
The councilors behind this plot are the same individuals who: Illegally suspended the Leader and Clerk on January 5, 2026 using a fake mace and no quorum were suspended by the legitimate House leadership later that day for “participation in a no‑quorum, no‑mace sitting”.
Admitted to “being on phone calls all through the night with some disgruntled leaders” plotting the move — as reported by local sources.
These are not principled lawmakers — they are rent‑seekers who have long opposed the Chairman’s transformation agenda, fearing loss of patronage. Their recent “vote of confidence” in December, 2025 in honour of the Chairman proves they knew he was performing well — and now seek to derail progress.
- A Record of Achievement — Not Recklessness
Since taking office, Chairman Andaye has delivered over 20 legacy projects, initiatives and interventions — all funded transparently through approved budgets. His work has earned national recognition:
Nigeria Local Government Chairman of the Year 2025 — Times Africa Magazine.
Award of Excellence as an Icon of Societal Transformation — National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Transformational Development Legacy Award — Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council.
Time Magazine Nation‑Building & Community Development Award — Obafemi Awolowo University.
Most Accommodating Local Government Council in Nigeria 2025 — Federal Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
To call this man “reckless” while holding these honours is self‑contradictory.
- The Impeachment Is a Political Stunt, Not A Legal Process
Under Section 31(1) of the Delta State Local Government Law, removal requires “gross misconduct” — defined as willful violation of law or oath. The Chairman has:
Never been convicted of any crime.
Never been found to have misapplied funds (all expenditures audited and approved).
Never denied the Legislature its right to sit — on the contrary, he restored order when they tried to self‑destruct.
This impeachment is a political vendetta, orchestrated by a disgruntled minority whose only weapon is rumor, not evidence. The Delta State House of Assembly must reject it — not because the Chairman is infallible — but because due process demands proof, not press releases.
- Conclusion and Request
In light of the above facts — and in accordance with the Delta State Local Government Law 2017 as amended— we formally request that the Delta State House of Assembly:
Reject the impeachment notice as procedurally void,
Demand all supporting documents from the accusers, and
Grant Hon. Dagidi Andaye a fair hearing before any further action is taken.
We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law — and we stand ready to present witnesses, bank records, award certificates, and meeting minutes to prove that Bomadi’s development has been lawful, inclusive, and award‑winning.
Hon. Wurukeseye Doubra
Leader of the Legislative Arm,
Bomadi Local Government Council
Clerk of the Legislative Arm,
Cmr. Julius Clarke
Bomadi Local Government Council
