How Emeziem, Imo Assembly speaker was impeached

Anthony Iwuoma

Emeziem Paul, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, did not see his impeachment coming.

The former speaker (All Progressives Congress, APC, representing Onuimo Constituency), was removed by 19 out of the 27 members of the House and replaced with Kennedy Ibeh (APC, Obowo Constituency) as the new speaker.

Emeziem had come to the House at the temporary assembly complex, Ojukwu Centre, Owerri as usual but was prevented from entering the chamber for the day’s plenary session.

He had to drive away when it dawned on him after waiting for some time that he would not be let in by the security men, who were busy making calls.

I’ve, the new speaker later drove out in a convoy alongside other lawmakers after sitting briefly.

The new speaker, the third  since the House was inaugurated in June 2019, succeeds Emeziem, the second Speaker, who replaced  Dr. Chiji Collins (APC, Isiala Mbano), the first speaker.

However, it was gathered that ten out of the lawmakers that signed Emeziem’s impeachment notice were absent during the inauguration of the new speaker under very tight security.

Emeziem ran into trouble when his then deputy, Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (APC, Nwangele Constituency), was removed from office.

The former speaker was accused of having a hand in the process, leading to his deputy’s impeachment, as he handled, with despatch, execution of a resolution presented to him by Ekene Nnodumele, (APC, the member, representing Orsu Constituency) that 18 members of the assembly, including six suspended members, to remove Iwuanyanwu.

It was gathered that Governor Hope Uzodinma was miffed by the development and had approached Emeziem to reverse the removal of Iwuanyanwu, who is said to be his favourite but was rebuffed.

However, the House surprisingly reconvened on Monday for the first time since Iwuanyanwu’s impeachment after failing to do so last Thursday, without some people knowing.

Iwuanyanwu and his loyalists had boasted that his removal, which he claimed was meant  to facilitate Governor Uzodinma’s impeachment, would not stand.