Abia speaker impeached

The Abia State House of Assembly, on Thursday, impeached its Speaker, Honourable Martins Azubuike and immediately elected Honourable Bishop Kennedy Njoku representing Osisioma North state constituency, as replacement.

The removal of Azubike followed an emergency session of the Assembly and presided over by the deputy Speaker, Honourable Cosmos Ndukwe.

His removal came on the heels of the state governor’s visit to the Assembly, on Friday, for the presentation of the 2017 budget of his administration.

Presenting what was described as urgent matters of public importance at the floor of the house, the deputy Majority Leader, Honourable Solomon Akpuluonu,  read a letter signed by 20 out of the 23 members calling for the removal of Azubuike.

Akpuluonu acused the former speaker of gross financial misconduct and behaving against the interest of other members, among other allegations.

The new speaker, Njoku, who was nominated for the position alongside Honourable Chikwendu Kanu, was elected through an open ballot system otherwise called Option A4.

In his acceptance speech, after being sworn in by the clerk and permanent secretary to the House, John Pedro Irokansi, the Speaker promised to carry all members along at all times.