Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, on Monday, swore in the Deputy Chairman of the Obingwa Local Government, Mrs Uloma Nwogu, as the substantive chairman of the council.

Last week, the elected chairman of the council, Ibe Nwoke, was reportedly removed for defecting to the Young Progressives Party.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House Umuahia, Governor Ilpeazu said he was in receipt of a letter dated May 23, 2022, written by the former Executive Chairman of the Obingwa LGA, Ibe Nwoke, entitled: “Resignation of my party membership.”

According to Ikpeazu, that was in consonance with the Laws guiding the Abia State Local Government system. The governor stated that the consequence was that Mr Nwoke breached the provisions of Section 23, Sub-section 1(f) of the Abia State local Government Law No. 2 of 2006.

The governor said the law made it imperative for a new Chairman to be sworn in to take over the reigns of power at the Obingwa Local Government.

According to him, the event marked a milestone in the development of the Local Government system, noting that his administration was the only one that deemed it wise to conduct local government elections for two consecutive times within his tenure.

Ikpeazu advised the newly sworn in chairman to leave legacies, as her stewardship would open more doors for women in politics and administration.

In her acceptance speech, the new chairman, Mrs Nwogu, thanked the governor for finding her worthy to serve and promised not to disappoint him and the state.