By Onyekachi Eze
An air of uncertainty is reigning in the Imo State House of Assembly over the reinstatement of four suspended members reports Trumpeta newspapers.
It would be recalled that five members of the state legislature before the impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, were handed indefinite suspension in June 2018. But a High Court in Owerri where four of the five lawmakers ran to for redress quashed the action of the Speaker Acho Ihim led House and declared it null and void.
Trumpeta learnt that the return of the lawmakers who have resumed duties at their respective offices after the court final judgment has instituted fears of a coming impeachment.
Following the misfortune that hit majority of the APC members of the House who were unable to get a second term ticket to run for 2019 election under the party’s banner after assurances from Governor Rochas Okorocha, this newspaper got informed that the pact between the Members and the House leadership has nose- dived with the lawmakers allegedly considering impeachment against the Speaker and the governor.
It was gathered that impeachment fever had gripped Ihim and Government House, Owerri due to the turnout of events forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House again after resumption. A staff who pleaded anonymity had informed our correspondent that “all is not well in the House. There is fear everywhere that impeachment is coming because members who had been working with Okorocha and allowing certain things to pass unnoticed with the notion that Rochas will guarantee them second chance tickets, are disappointed and want to strike now.
The impeachment fear has been increased by the court order reinstating four of the five suspended lawmakers.
A dependable source had revealed that during the initial plot for impeachment, the aggrieved members first planned to recall the suspended ones to enable them gain more numerical strength and support for the exercise.
According to the source, “the initial plan of the aggrieved lawmakers who have met was to ask for the recall of the suspended lawmakers before the court verdict. The returning members is expected to give them more support to move ahead.
Apparently sensing danger and uncomfortable with the happenings especially the reinstatement of the four lawmakers, Speaker Ihim who came to the House and met few of his colleagues hurriedly adjourned plenary fill next as it has also rushed to court to apply for stay of execution and appeal against the judgment. A mild drama occurred in the House yesterday when Ihim who noticed the presence of the suspended lawmakers quickly moved away.
A statement from the media aide to Ihim disclosed that a notice of appeal against the judgment of the suspended members have been filed. He also called for calm.
The court reinstated five members including Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru) Nkenna Nzeruo (Oru East), Israel Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli), Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano), Donatus Onuigwe (Oru West), is also serving suspension.
