Ebonyi Speaker Impeached, Four Lawmakers Suspended

Sixteen members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly on Monday impeached the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku over alleged gross misconduct, incompetence and embezzlement of funds meant for members of the assembly.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Blaise Orji has been elected as the new Speaker.

Moving the motion for the impeachment of Nwazunku, the Majority Leader of the assembly, Hon Sam Nwali representing Ikwo North reminded the lawmakers of the running battle between the members and the Speaker, adding that others issues relating to embezzlement prompted the impeachment of  Nwazunku.

Seconding the motion, the member representing Ezza South State Constituency, Hon Chris Usulor. alleged that the impeached Speaker, had continuously embezzled the funds of the assemby and urged member to support the impeachment process.

THISDAY learnt that it was the second time Nwazunku was impeached within two months but his job was saved by the swift intervention of the governor, Chief Martin Elechi.

However, the lawmakers also suspended four of their colleagues including the Chief Whip and member representing Afikpo North West, Hon. Ogbonnaya Ikoro, the member representing Abakaliki North, Hon. Oliver Nwachukwu, Hon. Odefa Obasi Odefa member representing Onicha East constituency and Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, member representing Izzi West state constituency of the state.

Nwazunku’s group had earlier suspended Nwachukwu and Nwifuru when they got  wind of the planned impeachment of the Speaker.

At a press conference immediately after their sitting, the member representing  Afikpo South West Constituency, Hon. Eni Uduma Chima, stated that the suspension carried out by members loyal to Nwazunku, was contrary to the assembly’s rule as it has been declared an exercise in futility.

According to him, two members, Hon. Odefa Obasi Odefa member representing Onicha East constituency and Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru , member representing Izzi West constituency were suspended through a motion moved  by Hon. Ikechukwu Ogbu and seconded by Hon. Princess Lilian Igwe.

Meanwhile, members loyal to Nwazunku have insisted that he remained the Speaker of the state assembly.

Insisting that Nwazunku remained impeached, Eni stressed that members of the assembly followed laid down constitutionally provisions for the impeachment of Nwazunku.

Feelers from some quarters revealed that the confusion presently rocking the state assembly is not unconnected with who becomes the next governor of the state.