The Abia State House of Assembly complex in Umuahia has been taken over by a detachment of police officers following an alleged plot by some members of the House to impeach the Speaker, Engr. Chinedum Orji.
POLITICS NIGERIA understands that the House had adjourned sitting to reconvene later.
Reports indicate that in a video circulating on social media, some members of the House had sat and impeached the Speaker, electing Hon. Chukwudi Apugo (Umuahia East constituency) as the new speaker. During the sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu (PDP/Ohafia South), Hon. Kennedy Njoku (Osisioma Ngwa North) moved a motion for the impeachment of the Speaker, seconded by Hon. Chijioke Chukwu. Speaker Orji was accused of insensitivity to the welfare of the members of the House.
Njoku said, “I want to move a motion considering the present situation in the House of Assembly and the feelings of members towards the speaker of the 7th House, Engr. Chinedum Orji, of his insensitivity to the welfare of members and other sundry activities. It is clear to us that all these have led to gross misconduct on the office of the speaker. Hence, I move a motion for the removal of the speaker.”
In the viral video, Njoku also read a list of the members who signed for the impeachment of the speaker, including Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu (PDP/Ohafia North), former Speaker Hon. Chikwendu Kalu (PDP/Isiala Ngwa South), Hon. Chijioke Chukwu (APC/Bende North), Hon. Okey Igwe (PDP/Umunneochi), Hon. Chukwudi Apugo (PDP/Umuahia East), Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi (PDP/Ikwuano), Hon. Obinna Ichita (APGA/Aba South), Hon. Thomas Nkoro (PDP/Obingwa West), Hon. Mike Ukoha (APC/Arochukwu), Hon. Goddy Adiele (PDP/Ukwa West), Hon. Paul Taribo (PDP/Ukwa East), Hon. Kennedy Njoku (PDP/Osisioma Ngwa North), Hon. Nnamdi Allen (PDP/Osisioma Ngwa South), Hon. Munachim Alozie (LP/Ugwunagbo), Hon. Emeka Okoroafor (APC/Isuikwuato), and Hon. Uzodike Aaron (PDP/Aba North).
However, some members did not sign the impeachment motion, including the majority leader, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu (PDP/Obingwa East), Hon. Ginger Onwusibe (LP/Isiala Ngwa North), Hon. Jerry Uzosike (PDP/Umuahia South), Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike (Umuahia North), and Hon. Abraham Oba (PDP/Aba Central).
The reason for the police takeover is yet to be confirmed, but tensions are high as the situation unfolds.
