The Ebonyi Government on Tuesday said it recognised Chief Blaise Orji as the authentic Speaker of the State House of Assembly. Dr Ifeanyi Ike, the Supervising Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, stated this at a news conference in Abakaliki.
He said government recognised the faction led by the former Deputy Speaker, adding that the legislators communicated the impeachment of the former Speaker to the government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the House was embroiled in another round of crisis on Monday when the Orji-led faction impeached the Speaker, Chief Chukwuma Nwazunku .
However, the Nwazunku-led group affirmed their support for him and declared a recess. Nwazunku was earlier impeached by some lawmakers in July but it was resisted by the state government and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“Sixteen members of the House sat and impeached Nwazunku. In the executive, we believe it is purely the business of the House. “The fact is that 2/3 of the 24 members effected the leadership change. We advise all those seeking political positions to follow the laid down rules. “We call on the people to shun violence, politics of bitterness, rancour and acrimony, as well as distance themselves from acts capable of affecting the peace of the state” , he said. The Commissioner also said that no PDP local government delegates congress was held in the state on Nov.8, contrary to some reports in the media. “This fact was further explained to the press by Chairman of the party in state, Mr Ben Akpa, and that it does not have a parallel or acting chairman. “The people should therefore discountenance the purported publication or news item on the radio or television by Mr Joseph Onwe, who claims to be the acting state party chairman. “The state government would not fold its hands and watch little peace-abhorring individuals destabilise the much-earned peace in the state”, he said. NAN reports that youth groups in the state gathered in Abakaliki on Tuesday to declare support for Gov. Elechi and Orji as new Speaker. Chief Ndubisi Chibueze-Agbo, the Commissioner for Education, who spoke on behalf of the groups, said the youths would stand against any force, individual or group that would smear the governor’s face with mud.
“Elechi has transformed the state in all spheres. The youths will ensure that his legacies are protected while he completes his tenure without distractions from any quarter. “We are also happy that the state now has a real speaker whose competence is not in doubt. The development signals a renaissance in the House of Assembly”, he said.
NAN reports that some youths invaded Nwazunku’s official residence and attacked the occupants in his absence. Nwazunku was said to be in Abuja for the declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for a second term in office. Mr Chris Anyanwu, Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, confirmed the incident. (NAN
