There are conflicting reports in Imo State as to the number of lawmakers who convened a plenary on Monday and impeached the speaker of the house of assembly, Mr. Paul Emeziem.
According to one account, six lawmaker of led by the sacked deputy speaker, Mr. Amara Iwuanyanwu convened a ‘plenary’ in the legislative chamber and removed Emeziem while another said 19 out of the total 27 lawmakers signed a letter which was read on the floor of the house.
Subsequently, they elected a ranking member, Mr. Kennedy Ibeh, as the new speaker.
According to the legislators, the speaker was removed for alleged gross misconduct, forgery, abuse of office and high-handedness.
Ibeh, who represents Obowo state constituency, was first elected into the parliament in 2015 and was reelected in 2019.
*New speaker, Ibeh
He was one of the six lawmakers, Emeziem controversially suspended on July 8 for “unparliamentary conduct.”
Before Emeziem was removed, the complex was barricaded, barring assembly staff, lawmakers and their aides from gaining access.
According to Punch, the session which did not last more than 15 minutes, came to an end immediately Ibeh assumed office as the new speaker.
Emeziem, who got wind of his removal, rushed into the complex but was barred from gaining access into the complex.
He was said to have been tear-gassed but he insisted to have his way.
The new speaker was one out of the 18 lawmakers whose names appeared to have signed a resolution, removing the ex-deputy speaker.
While the new speaker said later in an interview that he would run an all-inclusive legislature, Emeziem, however, said he still remained the speaker of the assembly.
He described his purported impeachment as “childish, null and void.”
“Amara Iwuanyanwu can’t convene a plenary because he was properly impeached. If there should be any plenary, I am the one empowered by the law to call for it. Today is not our plenary day. Today is for our committee sittings not plenary. Amara Iwuanyanwu stands impeached,” he added.
Recall that in November 2020,year the lawmakers, in the same manner, impeached the then speaker, Mr. Chiji Collins.
Collins was removed from office by 19 out of the 27 members of the House.
Emeziem, a member representing Onuimo local government area was immediately elected as speaker in his stead.
