The Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu and the Majority leader of the House, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu were on Tuesday, saved by the Speaker, Chinedum Orji from being removed from their positions.
This is even as the Speaker, Chinedum Orji has adjourned the House indefinitely, ostensibly to calm the heat.
Trouble started during the plenary session when the Deputy Minority leader, Chief Paul Taribo (PDP Ukwa East) raised a motion calling for the removal of Uchendu and Akpulonu, on the grounds that they had failed in their duties.
Taribo declared that having allegedly failed in their responsibilities, the principal officers did not deserve their positions anymore.
“I am saying that these two officers should be relieved of their duties”, Hon. Taribo demanded.
His motion was supported by Chijioke Chukwu (Bende South) and Obinna Ichita (Aba South) who aligned themselves with the Ukwa East representative.
But the call for the Deputy Speaker and Majority leader’s sack did not go down well with some other lawmakers present, as they vociferously opposed the call for their colleagues’ removal. Some members also called for a voice vote to be conducted immediately to decide the fate of Uchendu and Akpulonu which was also countered by some members loyal to them.
As the argument hit the roof tops, the Speaker, Chinedum said that those calling for the removal of principal officers did not present any tangible reason to support their demands. He directed that the House of Assembly be adjourned indefinitely.
