By chijioke hilary
The crisis rocking Imo House of Assembly has persisted as Lawmakers of PDP and APGA extraction insist on removal of Chief Benji Uwajumogu as the Speaker of the House.
Trumpeta investigations indicate that it is not yet Uhuru in the Imo Legislature as Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Lawmakers accuse one another of bungling the plot to remove Uwajumogu.
This Newspaper learnt that PDP lawmakers are pointing accusing fingers at the minority leader, Mrs Pat-Ekeji as not living up t her duty and expectation as the Leader of the Minority parties in the House, by mobilizing and supporting her members to effect the change in the House.
Also accused is another lawmaker from Mbaise, and Hon Ngaobiwu of Obowo constituency, for playing double game and allegedly serving as fifth columnists for the Speaker, Rt Hon Uwajumogu.
They also said that the case of a PDP member from Orlu zone (names withheld) is different as he is a known Uwajumogu ally and APC in spirit and PDP in body. “We know where he belongs from the beginning” a Lawmaker confided in Trumpeta.
Trumpeta learnt that the bone of contention is the allegations leveled against the Speaker by his former Media Aide, Comrade Samuelson Iwuoha which is attracting negative publicity to the state legislature.
The APGA, PDP, and some APC lawmakers are saying that whether the allegations are true or false, there is the need to set up a Committee on the matter to bury the issue finally.
“This is not the first time such thing is done in the House. Committee findings and resolutions will settle the issue of the allegation on the Speaker finally and spare the Speaker and the House insults and ugly insinuations from the public” a lawmaker told Trumpeta.
But the Uwajumogu camp does not see the scenario on the same pedestal as these lawmakers bent on an investigation.
The Uwajumogu camp believes that setting up a Committee is a poly to get at Uwajumogu, and remove him from office as it is believed the investigation will indict the Speaker, whether he was guilty or not, as they see it as a premeditated plot.
Therefore, Uwajumogu camp was said to have approached the Governor to wade into the matter, as the removal of Uwajumogu from office will expose Okorocha to political dangers, which may include impeachment.
Following this situation, Okorocha is said to have “bought” the matter and taken charge of the whole situation, by lobbying the lawmakers to bury the hatchet and let sleeping dog lie.
It was learnt that the Uwajumogu camp held a meeting in Nkwerre LGA, in the private home of a serving commissioner in the state Chief Uche Nwosu.
But unfortunately, the next person whose job is on the line now is Mrs Patrick-Ekeji as her party men in the legislature may remove her, since they believe she is not doing the job of an Opposition Leader in the House, who should at all times protect the interest of her party, PDP.
Pundits believe Ekeji is weak and is just facing her own business as Aboh Mbaise representative only, not knowing she should be the arrow head of the opposition in the Legislature.
Meanwhile, sources from the office of the Speaker told this Newspaper that Uwajumogu has nothing to do with the allegations leveled against him by Samuelson Iwuoha, as the Speaker’s enemies have “captured” Iwuoha to use him destroy Uwajumogu.
But the recalcitrant lawmakers insist that the only way to go is to investigate Uwajumogu and clear the Speaker and the House of public odium and bad insinuations.
Meanwhile, Uwajumogu has intensified spirited efforts to challenge those attacking him and resist any attempt to effect the speculated impeachment. To this end, the members took out time for an exclusive meeting outside Owerri town where they gathered to map out survival strategies for the Speaker.
The meeting was held at the country home of the governor’s inlaw, Uche Nwosu at the weekend. Present at the meeting at the private home of the commissioner for land is the Majority Leader, Adaku Ihuoma, Ikechukwu Amuka, Mike Ndubaku, Innocent Ekeh, Ugonna Ozuruigbo and a PDP member who has been identifying with the Speaker and APC in recent times.
Details of the discussion could not be ascertained before press time but our correspondent monitoring events gathered that it is not unconnected with the plot to save the Speaker. The out-of town meeting was convened to keep off prying eyes and notices to the anti-Uwajumogu group planning to effect leadership change.
Signs that the House may not hold primary sessions in the near future has emerged with the reported removal of the power generating set in the complex
To frustrate any resumption for the member, Trumpeta learnt that government agents came to tow away the capacity generator thereby throwing the entire complex into state f blackout.
Our correspondent learnt that by this singular action, the lawmakers may have indirectly adjourned sine die to avert the looming impeachment.
