Interview with Mike Balonwu, Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Published by saharareporters Hello Mr. Speaker, How are you today? I am fine, who are you? My name is Sowore Omoyele of Saharareporters, wants to speak with you about the crisis in Anambra State. Okay, go ahead Saharareporters: People are saying that the Anambra State crisis was sponsored by some people in Abuja that you guys in the house are just a pawn in the hands of Andy Uba? Speaker Balonwu: Who are those people you are talking about? Who said that? Tell me, which people? Saharareporters:? But you read the newspapers everyday, don?t you? Are you telling me that you don?t know that it is the prevailing opinion? Listen, let me tell you this, I have heard a lot of those things myself, but you know me from the days of the Anambra crisis, when Chris Ngige was in power how I firmly stood my grounds even though I was offered half- a billion naira to unseat Governor Ngige and take over as Governor of Anambra State. I turned it down and resisted the forces that wanted Chris Ngige out of power. Why will I now act on behalf of someone, How can N10 million naira change me, when half a billion naira can?t? You tell me! Saharareporters? Speaker, you saw what happened when Obasanjo was visiting Anambra State, you were there when the house of assembly members in what is obviously a show of shame were ?singing? that they wanted Andy Uba released to them so he can become Governor of Anambra State? Can?t you see why people would link your impeachment notice to Andy Ubah? Speaker Balonwu: No, I can?t see why that is a factor, don?t forget that there is freedom of expression in this country and that Andy Ubah is a Nigerian, an indigene of Anambra State and a member of the PDP. People are free to call on him to become Governor; they are free to do so? Speaker Balonwu: Are you saying that you are not part of that group? I am not saying that I am part of that or not, that is not what I am telling you. What I am saying is that Peter Obi has committed impeachable offences and he is going to be impeached and we are following duly recognized constitutional line of action. He started about 5 months ago; I mean if I wanted to be Governor so badly, I should have preferred to be governor five months ago, instead of becoming governor when there are a little more than 6 months to go. Five months ago, he started by unilaterally dissolving boards without consultation with the house of assembly these include ASIEC , ANSUDEC and so on, he dissolved Anambra State election body and many others, we called him and told him to stop it, he refused and now that we ask him to face the consequences people are making all kinds of allegations. Saharareporters: Maybe why people are really surprised is that recently you came out to say that you had no plans to impeach Peter Obi in the media and then suddenly this impeachment notice from the blues? Speaker Balonwu: You see I was in the US to attend the World Igbo Congress (WIC) I was in the company of Peter Obi then, I spent close to a month in the US and when I returned back I saw all these rumors in the media that we were planning to impeach Peter Obi, I was shocked and had to refute it but I found out that it was Peter Obi who sponsored the media to put the story out against us. But that doesn?t mean that we can?t impeach the governor if there are constitutional breaches, in this case he has breached the constitution of the land and we have asked him to answer to the charges against him. You see! This was the problem during the first time Anambra State went through the crisis under Governor Chris Ngige, it was a problem of disregard for the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The July 10 saga was a breach of the constitution, the stripping of Governor Ngige?s security retinue was a breach and the crisis that was instigated which led to the burning of the government facilities in the state were all breaches of the constitution, we cannot allow all that to continue to happen. Saharareporters:The problem is that majority of the leaders of opinion in Anambra State don?t seem to support your actions both at home and abroad, look at protests daily from labor unions, market women and Diaspora Anambrans? Speaker Balonwu: The main problem with those so-called leaders is that they are just dilly-dallying and very emotional. The same leaders, I mean some notable ones amongst them supported Chris Uba against Chris Ngige while we stood firm over the issue, they all collaborated and now they are getting emotional on this issue. But let me tell them that this is not an emotional issue; it is a constitutional matter that will be resolved according to laid down constitutional rules. Let me ask you; don?t think the offences are impeachable offences? Saharareporters: I have never been a member of any legislative body in my life? Speaker Balonwu: Well, I am telling you that these are impeachable offences. The governor must answer these charges and stop hiding under the media. He has been bribing people all over the place. He gave labor union leaders N20 million, gave $40 million to traditional rulers, and bribed journalist with lots of money and he will still have to account for those monies, because they are extra budgetary expenses that will compound his troubles? I mean this Peter Obi put state funds into his bank, Fidelity Bank PLC, of which he is the single largest shareholder, before then the state under the former PDP government use to bank with Intercontinental Bank which has a state branch in Awka but this fellow moved all that money into his bank with a branch in Enugu, they don?t even have a branch in Anambra State capital as set down in our financial regulations, in a fixed deposit account? Saharareporters: How much is the amount deposited?
Speaker Balonwu: I don?t have the records with me; I will get it for you if you call me back!
The problem of putting the money in his bank is that is that he hasn?t been able to pay contractors handling road projects in the state. He is yielding for himself, high interest rates in a fixed deposit account. Let him address this issues which are purely constitutional matters and stop running around with in the media.
Saharareporters: Are you going to resist Obasanjo on this matter, I mean his people are saying that you have embarrassed him and that he doesn?t want Peter Obi impeached?
Speaker Balonwu: Look the president, up till this time, has not made any pronouncement about the Anambra State matter; people are just putting words in his mouth.
Saharareporters: Who is providing protection for you guys, since in matters of this nature there is always a Godfather somewhere who provides police protection?
We are being protected by God. God is a just God and we are pursuing a just cause.
Saharareporters: So has the CJ set up a panel?
Speaker Balonwu: No, we have to wait till two weeks expires, the two weeks hasn?t expired yet, and we expect Peter Obi to reply to the allegations against him, after he responds we will look at the response and pass it on to the CJ to constitute a panel to look into the issues?
Saharareporters: But he says that he never got a copy of the impeachment notice?
Speaker Balonwu: No, he is just playing pranks. We have served his people both in Anambra, Lagos and Abuja offices, we served the SSG. He has received it, but he told all his staff not to sign for the notice when they receive it. You see, he knows what the law says about getting notices of impeachment. Let him keep denying it, when the time comes we will take the necessary step.
Saharareporters: I mean what is the time line, when is the next line of action taking place, when does your two weeks expire?
Speaker Balonwu: You wait and see, this is different from Ekiti State, so far we are strictly following due process and when the first step is exhausted we will move on to the next. We haven?t reached that point yet.
Saharareporters: why are you hiding out of Anambra state?
Speaker Balonwu: Don?t we have a right as free citizens to move around Nigeria? We are free people; we can stay wherever we want. Who told you we are hiding out-of-state, didn?t you hear that we were in Awka yesterday and we sat and deliberated and decided to remove 5 of our members who acted in manners inimical to the interest of Anambra State? We are not hiding out-of-state.
Saharareporters:Okay finally, tell me, what is your relationship with Andy Uba?
I have no relationship whatsoever with him. I have not spoken to Chris Uba for a long time, so I have no relationship whatsoever with Andy. This is strictly a constitutional matter. Trust me, we are pressing ahead. If Peter Obi sends in his response to the allegations and we find him not guilty, he will be exonerated, if he is found guilty of breaching the constitution he will be accordingly impeached.
Saharareporters: Thank you for your time!
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