…As Millions Of Naira Allegedly Exchanged Hands
…Nine Members Absolve Selves From Signing Impeachment
The Imo State House of Assembly is embroiled in crisis following attempt to impeach its Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu on Tuesday.
A statement by House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Paul Emezim said Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, member representing Nwangele State Constituency in the Assembly wasimpeached in the afternoon of Tuesday, under tight security during the plenary.
His removal, according to the Speaker,who presided over the plenary, followed the submission of the resolution of 18 out of the 27 lawmakers by EkeneNnodim, who represents Orlu State Constituency.
Emezim said the House will elect a new Deputy Speaker during their plenary on Thursday.
However, reports reaching our news desk indicate that the reported impeachment of Iwuanyanwu was nothing but a mere ‘concuction’ as the Deputy Speaker still occupies his seat.
An inside source who craved condition of anonymity said the purported removal of the Deputy Speaker was aftermath of a long standing animosity against Iwuanyanwu by the House Speaker who was becoming uncomfortable with the rising political profile of Iwuanyanwu, fearing that his Speakership position was being threatened and he could be impeached if something was not done about it.
The speaker, according to our source, allegedly shared the sum of N10m each to all members of the Assembly who voted for his impeachment.
Meanwhile nine members of the House have denied signing any document to oust the Deputy Speaker, vowing to take legal actions against those who allegedly forged their signatures to carry out the ignoble act.
An Owerri based civil society group, Democracy Advocates, has called on EkeneNdumele, member representing Orsu state Constituency to produce the so-called signed resolution. The group also calls on security agencies to arrest the situation by arresting all those involved in the document forgery.
Among those eyeing the office of the Deputy Speaker are the current chief Whip of the House and member representing Nkwerre State Constituency, Obinna Okwara and member representing Ideato South, Hon. DuruIheonukara.
Also, Hon Uche Ogbuagu and six others suspended by the House were also recalled.
It will be recalled that the lawmakers were suspended on 8th July, 2021 after gunmen reportedly invaded the Assembly for “unparliamentary conduct”.
