Imo assembly removes speaker

Chiji Collins, speaker of the Imo state house of Assembly, has been impeached.

Collins was impeached during a plenary on Friday.

The impeachment motion was moved by Ekene Nnodumele (APC-Orsu) and seconded by Michael Njoku (APC-Ihitte Uboma).

The motion for his removal was supported by 19 out of 27 lawmakers of the assembly.

He was accused of financial impropriety, high handedness, gross misconduct, among others.

The lawmakers elected Paul Emeziem, member representing Onuimo local government area, as the new speaker.

“We the undersigned representing over two-thirds majority of the members of the house do state our unequivocal resolution to remove Collins Chiji as the Speaker of the House for gross incompetence, parliamentary ineptitude, financial impropriety and high handedness,” the motion read.

Members present at the sitting were Amarachi Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele), Ekene Nnodumele (Orsu), Arthur Egwim (Ideato North), Emeka Nduka (Ehime Mbano) Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West), Michael Njoku (Igitte Uboma), Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba), Ngozi Obiefule (Isu) and Paul Emeziem (Onuimo) all of APC.

Others are: Johnson Duru (Ideato South), Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru East), Uche Ogbuagu (Ikeduru), Kennedy Ibeh (Obowo), Tochi Okereke (Ngor Okpala) and Chidiebere Ogbunikpa (Okigwe) all also of APC.

The rest are the PDP assemblymen: Okey Onyekamma (Mbaitoli), Frank Ugboma (Oguta), Solomon Anukam (Owerri Municipal), and Anyadike Nwosu (Ezinihitte).