Abia Speaker’s Impeachment: Matters Arising
Obinna Don Norman (Agu Ibeku)
Earlier today, 16 of the 24 House of Assembly members announced the impeachment of the Speaker, Chinedum Orji.
Going by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic, the impeachment was in order. This is because they met the 2/3 requirement of the 1999 constitution. (See section 92)
Section 92 (2)
The Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly shall vacate his office if any of the following happens:)
Section 92 (c)
if he is removed from office by a resolution of the House of Assembly by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of the House.
(If they are removed from the position by a resolution, voted for by at least 2/3 of the members of the House.)
The embattled former speaker, Chinedum Orji, knows that the remaining six members with him did not constitute a 2/3 majority required by law and, therefore, could not impeach the deputy speaker, Ifeanyi Uchendu.
They also lacked the constitutional powers to return him (Ikuku) as the speaker. He knows that he remains impeached and should desist from the shameful grandstanding.
Nobody is bigger than the state.
