I Remain Duly Elected Leader Of Oshimili North Legislative Arm, Mordi Insists, Dismisses Acting On Duress Claim By Clerk 

The councillor representing the good people of Okpanam DISIEC ward 12 and the newly elected and sworn in Leader of Oshimili North Legislative Arm, Hon. Jeffery Sunday Mordi,has insisted that his emergence as the Leader followed due process in line with the constitutional guidelines.

Mordi, who made the clarification while reacting to a publication on The Pointer Newspaper that Hon. Henry Olowu is the new Leader, said that out of the 20 councillors of the 7th Assembly, 16 voted for him to become the Leader after securing a 2/3 majority.

He described as baseless the purported election of Hon. Henry Olowu as the Leader by 8 councillors during a meeting called by the Chairman of Oshimili North Council, Chief (Hon.) Innocent Esenwezie who , he said turned the meeting to Legislative seating.

He said in a democracy, the Executive was not empowered in any section of the Nigerian Constitution to interfere in Legislative business .

The Leader stated that the symbol of authority was still in his possession as the duly elected Leader.

On the claim by the Clerk of the House , Mr. Benedict Agboje that his earlier confirmation and swearing of Hon. Jeffery Mordi was done in duress and that he had rescinded the swearing in and his signature, Mordi said that such claim was laughable .

Mordi explained that nobody coerced the Clerk to perform his statutory responsibility on that day he emerged as the Leader as the whole process was free and fair and transparent.

He said that the removal of the former Leader, Hon. Chris Nwamgbor was a collective decision of the whole House after the councillors vehemently expressed disappointment with his dealings which according to him at variance with the rules of the House .

Mordi , however, said that any attempt to circumvent the will of the councillors who found him worthy to be the Leader would not be accepted as such was not for the good interest of Oshimili North but for few who do not mean well for Oshimili North.

He, however, appealed to the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor and members of the Delta State House of Assembly and the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to come to the rescue of Oshimili North Legislative Arm by ensuring that sanity and principles of democracy was reinstalled.

Mordi said that he should be allowed to perform his duties as the Leader, having received vote of confidence and support from 16 out of the 20 elected councillors of the 7th Assembly.