Deputy Speaker, eight lawmakers oppose impeachment bid on Elechi
The Deputy Speaker and eight other lawmakers of Ebonyi State House of Assembly have faulted the impeachment proceeding initiated by House against the state governor Martins Elechi.
According to the nine lawmakers, the actions taken by their colleagues were illegal, null, void and therefore lacking the force of law.
Meanwhile, the 15 lawmakers that signed the impeachment notice, The Rainbow learnt, has flee the state for Abuja reminiscent of the plots all shenanigans that characterized the administration of Former Presidrnt Olusegun Obasanjo.
The nine lawmakers made the declaration in Abakaliki, the state capital in a 14-point communiqué signed by them.
In the communique titled, 'Before lawlessness overtakes the land' the lawmakers warned that the other lawmakers were pursuing an illegal agenda, which could lead to a breakdown in law and order.,
Honourable Eni Uduma Chima, representing Afikpo South-West constituency, who is spokesman of the group, said resolution purportedly passed the House was in clear contravention of section 188 (4) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“A motion of the House of Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two third majority of all the members of the House of Assembly. And 15 members cannot be the two third majority of all the members of the 24- member House,” he said.
Eni maintained that the 11 pro-Elechi lawmakers had resolved that none of them should attempt to go to the House of Assembly complex to forestall breakdown of law and order and to ensure the security of the lives of the people.
According to him, “very desperate attempts and overtures are being made to induce and intimidate us into yielding, against the demand of justice and good conscience to the plot for the impeachment of our dear governor, a founding father of Ebonyi State.
“That the house leadership have taken the attendance register to their principals in Abuja for the purpose of cloning the signatures of members of our faction.”
The group called on civil society organisations, religious groups, democratic institutions , the Nigerian Bar Association to make conscious efforts at ensuring that the constitution and the laws of the country are upheld at all times by all and sundry.
The Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim, is being fingered in the ongoing crisis in the state's assembly.
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