Imo Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Plots to Return Iwuanyanwu As Deputy Speaker, Berates Uzodimma
- Governor Hope Uzodimma has been accused of interfering in the affairs of the Imo state House of Assembly
- The allegation was made by some lawmakers in the Imo state House of Assembly who are insisting on their independence as an arm of government
- The recent impeachment of the former deputy speaker of the assembly is said to have irked Governor Uzodimma
Owerri - Some lawmakers in the Imo state House of Assembly have raised an alarm over plots to bring back the recently impeached deputy speaker, Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
The lawmakers say there are attempts to foist Iwuanyanwu, the member representing Nwangele state constituency, on them by powerful forces in the state.
Source: Facebook
They, however, vowed to resist attempts to bring back Iwuanyanwu as the number two lawmaker in Imo state House of Assembly.
They also accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of making attempts to interfere in their affairs by planting moles amongst them.
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One of the lawmakers, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member who spoke to Legit.ng on the condition of anonymity, said:
“We are aware of plans by powerful forces to bring back Iwuanyanwu as the deputy speaker of the House. We legally impeached him due to his high-handedness, disrespect for fellow colleagues, and corruption allegations which we have established against him.
“Any attempt to bring him will cause chaos and won't augur well for the state. Those planning to bring Amarachi back should be warned that their plan will backfire and consume them. With the current security challenges in the state, the last thing Imo needs now is a political tussle which can lead to further loss of lives.”
Another lawmaker, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said:
“The Imo state House of Assembly like any assembly in the country is an independent arm of government. We have taken a decision and we owe no one an explanation over what we did during plenary.
“These attempts to upturn our decision will fail. I can assure you that it is a popular decision that will stand the test of time. I am an APC member, but like many of my colleagues, we are fully in support of Amarachi's removal. Those trying to reverse our decision using unconstitutional means will be shocked at the resistance they will face.”
Legit.ng gathered that Iwuanyanwu's impeachment was preceded by the recall of six suspended lawmakers after about four months.
The suspended six lawmakers who were recalled include Uche Ogbuagu (APC, Ikeduru), Dominic Ezerioha (APC, Oru West), Micheal Crown (APC, Ihitte Uboma), Kennedy Ibe (APC, Obowo) Anyadike Nwosu, ( PDP, Ezinihitte Mbaise), and Phillip Ejiogu (PDP, Owerri North).
The recalled lawmakers also participated in the impeachment of the former deputy speaker, a resolution which witnessed the signature of 18 out of 27-member Assembly moving against Iwuanyanwu.
In a terse statement circulated to the journalists on the issue, a former media adviser to Senator Rochas Okorocha, Sam Onuwemedo noted that:
“Iwuanyanwu could only return as deputy speaker if any court of competent jurisdiction quashes the impeachment, or, 2/3 of the Assembly members re-electing him as Deputy Speaker.
“Again, since the impeachment followed the constitutional requirement of two-thirds of the members signing, the provision could also be used in giving him relief. Or, bringing him back.
“Two-third of members could also sign and come up with a motion, to vitiate or eclipse or submerge or upturn or reverse the impeachment. These are some of the processes, the man could come back as deputy speaker.
“Coming back as the Deputy Speaker of the House, without any of the aforementioned processes being followed, could be threatened with litigations or could give room for a plethora of court actions, even by non-members of the Assembly.”
Meanwhile, a group known as Imo Youth Professional Forum based in Abuja, has asked Iwuanyanwu to tow the path of honour and accept his fate.
The group which sent a statement to journalists in the nation's capital via its spokesman, Chibundu Ejiogu, stated the legislative arm of government should be allowed to choose their own leaders without interference from the executive.
Part of the statement read:
“We advise the Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to call his media aides to order concerning the issue.
“This idea of going to various media houses to rubbish Imo state lawmakers for taking a decision within their chambers is uncalled for and should not be encouraged.
“The governor has a responsibility to put a stop to this political madness and ask his foot soldiers to respect the decision of the Imo state House of Assembly and move with other important state matters.
“On his part, Iwuanyanwu should also accept his fate and move on with his life. He is still young and has a bright political future if he learns from this experience. Power only comes from God and He alone decides who to give it to.
“Iwuanyanwu should be wary of those pushing him to fight his colleagues because those who have gone down that road in the past met their political doom. A word is enough for the wise.”
How Iwuanyanwu was booted out by his colleagues
Legit.ng had earlier reported that Iwuanyanwu was removed under tight security during plenary on Tuesday, November 2.
Ekene Nnodim, the lawmaker who represents Orlu state constituency, submitted a resolution signed by 18 out of the 27 lawmakers for the removal of Iwuanyanwu as the deputy speaker.
The Speaker, Paul Emezim, who presided over the plenary, subsequently approved the removal of Iwuanyanwu.
Lawmakers stay away from Imo House of Assembly after Iwuanyanwu's removal
Meanwhile, no lawmaker was sighted at the House of Assembly complex on Thursday, November 4 after the removal of Iwuanyanwu.
This led to speculations of a rift between the minority leader, Anayo Onyemaechi, and the clerk of the House, Chinelo Emeghara.
There are, however, rumours that Speaker Ibezim and the removed deputy speaker had flown to Abuja to have an audience with Governor Uzodimma.
Source: Legit.ng
