Since the inauguration of state houses of Assembly across the 36 states of the federation in 2023, four speakers have been impeached. Reasons of impeachment by the legislators include financial impropriety among others.
The four speakers kicked out by law makers of the respective houses of assemblies in four states include; Martins Amaehwule of Rivers State, Olakunle Oluomo of Ogun State, Bilyaminu Moriki of Zamfara State and Oludaisi Elemide of Ondo State.
In the wake of political crisis in Rivers State, lawmakers loyal to Governor Sim Fubara got Amaehwule removed as speaker of the state assembly, throwing the state into confusion. The scenario was also similar in Ondo, Zamfara and Cross River states.
In Zamfara, the case was also not different as lawmakers of the state house of assembly got their speaker kicked out from the position of speaker, following the worsening case of insecurity.
The speaker was blamed for failing to tackle it.In May 22, 2024, lawmakers of Cross River State house of assembly also joined the fray when confusion broke out on the floor of the house.
Subsequently announced was removal of the CRHA speaker, Elvert Ayambem, for allegedly misappropriating funds meant for electricity bills. The speaker was allegedly rescued by the state governor, Bassey Otu, causing aggrieved lawmakers to make a U-turn where they passed a vote of confidence on the speaker.
A political analyst in Cross River State, Comrade Odion Bernard, accused the state assembly lawmakers of exhibiting greed, when not being firm in their decision to be rid of the speaker.
“Why would 17 members of Cross River State house of assembly cajole us into believing that they were serious to kick the speaker out, if they weren’t serious with the impeachment moves despite the legislators claim that it was removal and not impeachment?” He queried.
In his remarks on the issue, special adviser to the Speaker and member representing Etung constituency, Kinsley Ntui, said that the assembly members decided to sheath their swords after a meeting with the state governor, where several issues were discussed.
A market woman at Etim Edem Rice Lane, Mrs. Justina Bassey, tagged the law makers as “jokers who should never be taken serious because they were merely playing politics of the stomach”.
Playing with impeachment does not speak well of legislators’ integrity. House members should therefore carry out thorough investigations and have evidence to see the process through.
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