Speaker Of House Of Assembly, Imo State Impeached

Today, members of the Imo State House of Assembly served an impeachmemt notice on the Speaker of the House, Mr Iheanacho Ihim, for alleged misconduct.

The members have elected Chinedu Offor (AA), representing Onuimo Constituency, as the Protem Speaker. Offor, who read the notice to newsmen, said that it was signed by 21 of the 27 members, adding that the allegations against the speaker would be investigated.

He also refused to recognise members who raised “objections” and quickly adjourned sitting. He immediately left the chambers with the Majority Leader, Lugard Osuji (AA), representing Owerri Municipal. Members, who felt aggrieved over the development, described the walkout as a slight on them.

They stayed back in the chambers, even after power supply was disconnected, throwing the place into darkness. Offor alleged that Ihim had “consistently ran the house without recourse to parliamentary procedures.” He described Ihim’s action at the plenary session as “an insult to other lawmakers.”

Offor further alleged that the speaker took a unilateral decision to recall the suspended council chairmen, contrary to members’ resolution at the executive session. He said that efforts made by members to make contributions, invoking Order 15 of the House Rules, were rebuffed by the Speaker who, he said, “quickly adjourned without giving room for input from other members.”  

He said that Osuji (AA), representing Owerri Municipal, had also been removed and replaced with Mr Lloyd Chukwuemeka (AA), representing Owerri North. He said that his removal followed a resolution signed by 14 members of Action Alliance (AA) in the House. Several efforts made to get the reaction of the Speaker on the notice were unsuccessful.