The search for a new Deputy Governor of Enugu State may have narrowed down to Engr. Uchenna Abel Nwobodo, an aide to Governor Sullivan Chime.
According to a reliable source who confided in THE CITIZEN, Engr. Nwobodo, who is currently the Special Assistant to the Governor on Project development/Implementation is highly considered for the position by the Governor, following the impeachment of former Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, on Tuesday.
Engr. Nwobodo is a confidant of the Chief of Staff to the Governor and Senatorial aspirant, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo and was said to have been instrumental to the renovation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Engr. Nwobodo is also the son of the former chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Igwe Abel Nwobodo, who is now a traditional ruler.
Nwobodo before now was aspiring for an elective seat in the House of Representatives in 2015.
His candidature as the new Deputy Governor is reported to have gone well with party chieftains in the state and his name may be submitted to the Enugu State House of Assembly any moment from now.
Meanwhile, the impeached Deputy Governor has vowed to go to court to fight for his right describing what happened as an aberration.
The Franklin Oraeke-led panel had, last Wednesday, concluded its investigation and found the former deputy governor guilty of the three allegations levelled against him.
He was accused of rearing poultry in his official quarters, failed to represent the governor in Anambra State when President Jonathan came to launch the 2nd Niger Bridge as well as failed to represent Governor Chime at the South-East Governors’ Forum meeting held at Government House, Enugu, in June.
The panel was also told that the stench from the poultry was an embarrassment to the state government, which had to relocate the chickens in order to check the offensive odour.
It was also alleged that the poultry constituted severe health hazards to residents, staff and visitors in the government house.
The lawmakers, in the impeachment notice, held that the said actions amounted to gross misconduct on Onyebuchi’s part.
The deputy governor would have been removed before Tuesday had the panel not adjourned proceedings for a few days after he slumped while testifying in his own defence on August 18.
Onyebuchi’s lawyers and aides blamed the development on the stress caused by the impeachment proceedings.
