Delta State House of Assembly Speaker impeached, suspended

The speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Igbuya, was on Monday impeached and suspended by the members.

His impeachment and subsequent suspension took place on Thursday morning after 22 out of the 29 members of the Assembly reportedly signed his impeachment notice.

Soon after his impeachement, the House elected a lawmaker representing Okpe constituency, Sheriff Oborevwori, as the new Speaker.

Igbuya who was impeached along with the Majority Leader, Tim Owhofere, was said to have been involved in financial misappropriation and highhandedness.

The lawmakers, led by the deputy Speaker, Friday Osanebi in carrying out their action resumed sitting at about 7:00am against the 10am the House usually sits.

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Members who fully attended the plenary with the exception of the impeached principal officers, voted to sack the Speaker.

They further suspended the Speaker for three months while the former Majority Leader who has now been replaced by Mr. Johnson Erijo was handed an indefinite suspension.

The new Speaker and other members of the House were said to have proceeded to the Government House to intimate the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, of the changes in the House leadership, soon after the meeting.

The motion for the removal of Igbuya as speaker was moved by Mr Johnson Erijo (Isoko South II) and seconded by Peter Onwusanya (Oshimili South).

Owhefere’s removal followed a motion by Onwusanya which was seconded by Mr Peter Uviejitobor (Udu constituency).

After his election, the new majority leader immediately moved a motion for the suspension of the impeached speaker and the majority leader for three months. The motion, which was unanimously adopted, was seconded by Mr Eric Oharisi (Ughelli North II).

According to Erijo, the removal of Igbuya became necessary following his incompetence, highhandedness and unacceptable leadership style.

He further explained, that the House needed a new speaker to move forward, as the legislature was key to the growth of democracy and development of the state.

The new speaker was nominated by Onwusanya and Mr Daniel Mayuku of Warri South-West constituency.

After his election, Oboriowori was immediately sworn in by the Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Ocholor.

The new Speaker, Oborevwori, who was immediately sworn in by the Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Ocholor, promised to adhere to the rules of House, and that though he had become the first among equals, he would accord every member due respect.

Oborevwori immediately dissolved all standing committees of the House.

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