The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has elected first female Speaker, Hon. Helen Nwobashi, and suspended the former speaker, Hon Chukwuma Nwazunku and four others.
Others suspended include Hon Odefa Obasi Odefa, representing Onicha East, Hon Mabel Aleke, representing Ohaukwu North, Hon Chike Ogiji, representing Ikwo South and Hon Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, representing Izzi West.
The impeachment of the speaker took place in the early hours of yesterday.
According to the leadership of the House, their suspension followed alleged collaboration with the speaker to embezzle the House funds, intimidation and harassment of House members among others.
Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the entrance of the House when the former speaker attempted entering the House and was stopped by security operatives while some of his boys who forcefully gained entrance were nearly beaten up by some youths who came in solidarity with the new speaker.
There would have been a breakdown of law and order in the House if not for the quick intervention of security operatives who barricaded the House when some youths attempted to vandalise public properties.[eap_ad_2] Security operatives numbering over 50, headed by the assistant commissioner of police in charge of Operations, who besieged the House after explanations by the new speaker, Nwobashi, Hon Eni Uduma Chima and the chief whip, Hon Ogbonnaya Ikoro, ordered everybody to vacate the House.
The new speaker was escorted by a team of policemen while the former speaker, Hon Nwazunku who stood at the gate informed journalists that he was still the speaker of the House.
He said, “I just heard it as a rumour; those who invaded the House claiming to have impeached me are criminals who came to plant a bomb in the House. I am happy that the security men are doing their job”.
Also at the Government House, Abakaliki during a function organised by the state government, when the Nwazunku attended the function, the majority of the members led by the new Sspeaker, Mrs. Nwobasi also stormed the Government House.
The security personnel attached to the governor’s office did not allow the former speaker and the new speaker to enter the Executive Chambers of Government House as the members argued the rational for allowing Nwazunku into the chambers.[eap_ad_3]