Emeziem licks impeachment wound
…Accepts defeat
…Battles with suspension fever
Hon. Paul Emeziem, was last Monday sacked as the Imo State House of Assembly Speaker, in what looks like a palace coup, during a plenary that held in his absence.
The impeachment which replaced Rt. Hon. Emeziem with Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, representing Obowo, was moved by Hon. Chinedu Nwaneri, representing Oru East and was endorsed by 19 members of the House.
The sack news which reportedly hit Hon. Emeziem, like Anthoney Joshua’s jab, got the embattled Speaker, cut short his engagement for the day and raced to the Imo Assembly Complex to save his position but met a fierce looking security agents who refused him entry and ordered him back.
The former Speaker, according to Imo House of Assembly sources was impeached for high handedness, conducts likely to cause instability in the house, abuse of power and office and grave unparliamentary conducts.
However, the former Speaker, who was according to reports weakened by the overwhelming support of his impeachment by his legislator colleagues, has subtly conceded defeat and probably lobbying for soft landing hence his press release, praising and vouching his support for governor Hope Uzodimma and his 3R mantra, while claiming to hold no grudges for the 18 lawmakers who toppled his administration in a commando-like style.
Meanwhile, the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, who has been longing for the office, since, the days of Emeka Ihedioha, as governor, tested his new power with dissolution of all standing committees and the indefinite suspension of three house members, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem of Onuimo, Hon. Ekene Nnodumele of Orsu and Rt. Hon. Okey Onyekamma of Mbaitolu, for alleged desecration of the sanctity of the house, acts of forgery, conducts that are likely to cause instability in the house and grave unparliamentary conducts.
The new administration of the House also set up an adhoc committee of five (5) members to investigate the forgery claims leveled against the former speaker and his cohorts.
The five (5) member adhoc committee included: Hon. Kanayo ‘Dele’ Onyemaehi as Chairman, Hon. Frank Ugboma of Oguta as vice Chairman, Hon. Duru Johnson of Ideato South – member, Hon. Emeka Nduka of Ehime Mbano – member and Chigozie Nwaneri of Oru East – member.
