I Remain Abia Assembly Deputy Speaker — Uchendu

The embattled Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu has said his purported removal from office is null and void, insisting that he is the Deputy Speaker.

He said his purported removal ‘by 6 of my colleagues” can only be described as effort in futility.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji along with other members had on Tuesday announced the suspension of the Deputy Speaker along and eight other lawmakers.

READ ALSO: Abia Assembly Writes DSS, Police On Suspension Deputy Speaker, 8 Others

This was in response to his alleged impeachment by about 18 members of the Assembly.

Rt. Hon. Uchendu said the Speaker has been impeached on the ground of alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office, and cannot preside over plenary to remove him (Uchendu) from office, urging members of the public to ignore his purported removal from office.

He said, “I wish to inform the General Public that the said impeachment is null, illegal and can best be described as an effort in futility. This is based on the fact that Rt. Hon. Chinedu Enyinnaya Orji who presided over the plenary had already been removed as the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly before my alleged removal.

“His removal/impeachment was based on allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. Consequently, Rt. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo (Member Representing Umuahia East State Constituency), was elected as the new Speaker by the Majority of Members of the House.

“Section 92: 2c of the Nigerian Constitution clearly stated it that “The Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly shall vacate his Office if he is removed from Office by a resolution of House of Assembly by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of the House.

“All security heads and Service Commanders in the state has already been put on notice of the change of leadership of the House of Assembly.”