CONFUSION IN ABIA ASSEMBLY AS TWO SPEAKERS EMERGE

REPORTER: LAWRENCE NWOKEDI

The Abia State House of Assembly has suspended the Deputy Speaker of the House, Chief Ifeanyi Uchendu and eight other members for their alleged involvement in the purported impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Chief Chineduum Orji.

In a motion moved for the suspension of the members by the member representing Umuahia South Constituency, Mr. Jerry Uzosike, and seconded by the member representing Isialangwa North Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, the House described the alleged impeachment as illegal and baseless.

The nine members were suspended for one month without any benefits from the House.

Some members of the Abia State House of Assembly had earlier in the day sat at an undisclosed building in Umuahia and suspended the Speaker, Chief Chineduum Orji, for alleged financial recklessness and being insensitive to the welfare of the members.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Ifeanyi Uchendu, presided over the alleged impeachment process.

The member representing Umuahia East, Chief Chukwudi Apugo, was allegely nominated as the new Speaker.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the embattled Speaker, Chief Chinedum Orji, presided over the plenary session where Chief Mandela Obasi, representing Ohafia North Constituency, was elected by the House to replace the suspended Deputy Speaker, Chief Ifeanyi Uchendu.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU