TUESDAY- 9th November, 2021: Reports from investigations have shown that the Imo State House of Assembly which yesterday morning impeached its Speaker, Paul Emeziem (APC, Onuimo), and installed Kennedy Ibeh (APC, Obowo) as the new Speaker, did so because he refused to reinstate former deputy speaker,Amara Iwuanyanwu, who is Governor Hope Uzodimma’s favourite.
The governor had reportedly approached Emeziem to reverse Iwuanyanwu’s impeachment, but it all fell on deaf ears as he refused.
House members, who had adjourned after Iwuanyanwu’s impeachment, to reconvene last Thursday, could not. They, however, surprisingly reconvened yesterday the temporary Assembly complex, Ojukwu Centre, Owerri, without the knowledge of some lawmakers.
The outsted speaker, Emeziem was not allowed into the chamber for the plenary, as security operatives, after stopping him, continued making endless calls, until he drove away.
New Speaker ,Ibeh and lawmakers drove away in their convoy after the brief sitting,.
Emeziem, who emerged Speaker after the Supreme Court removed Emeka Ihedioha as governor, succeeded Chiji Collins (APC, Isiala Mbano). He was installed, then, under tight security. Even accredited journalists covering the assembly were not allowed in, save those from the Government House, Owerri.
Reports gathered that 19 of the 27 members of the assembly signed the impeachment document, but that about 10 were present, yesterday.
The Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu (APC, Nwangele), was removed from office On November 2, 2021, and Emeziem was accused of expediting the process of his impeachment, having quickly acted on a document presented to him by Ekene Nnodumele (APC, Orsu), specifying that 18 members of the assembly, including the six, hitherto, suspended members, resolved to impeach Iwuanyanwu.
Interestingly, the same day Iwuanyanwu was removed, the six suspended members were recalled. They had been suspended in July 8 for alleged unparliamentary conduct.
Iwuanyanwu and his loyalists had allegedly boasted that his impeachment would not stand, adding that the action was taken to facilitate the impeachment of Uzodimma.
