Abia State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended the Deputy Speaker, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, and eight other Members, over the alleged impeachment of the Speaker, Mr. Chinedum Orji.
Orji, who presided over the plenary meeting, made the announcement that the parliamentarians would be immediately suspended for one month without pay.
The suspended Members are Kennedy Njoku (Osisioma North), Chukwudi Apugo (Umuahia East), Aaron Uzodike (Aba North), Thomas Nkoro (Obingwa West), Okey Igwe (Umunneochi), Chikwendu Kalu (Isiala Ngwa South) Obinna Ichitta (Aba South) and Chijioke Chukwu (Minority Leader – Bende North).
Kukuruku News gathered that 16 out of 24 Members of the house had on Tuesday, signed for the impeachment of the Speaker at a guest house in Umuahi for “his insensitivity to the welfare of members and other sundry activities”.
It was also reported that the former Speaker, Kennedy Njoku had moved the motion for the Speaker’s impeachment and was seconded by Chijoke Chukwu and further electing Chukwudi Apogo as the new speaker.
But, hours after the purported impeachment, Orji convened an emergency plenary session at the Assembly Complex, where nine Members, including himself, resolved to suspend the other nine Members, while the remaining seven who was not physically present in the impeachment was exonerated.
The motion for their suspension was moved by Jerry Uzosike (Umuahia South), seconded by Solomon Apulonu (Majority Leader – Obingwa East).
Subsequently, the suspended deputy was replaced by Mandela Obasi, who was immediately sworn in as the new deputy.
Orji also informed the Director of State Services and the Commissioner of Police that only authorized individuals would be permitted entry into the chamber.
The house then established an ad hoc committee to look into the alleged offense of the suspended Members and deliver a report within a week.
