Imo Speaker runs away with mace as lawmakers suspend him

The Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Acho Ihim, on Wednesday threw the House into commotion as he disappeared with the Assembly’s mace.

Consequently, 21 out of the state’s 27 lawmakers suspended him and immediately announced Chiendu Offor (Onuimo) of the Action Alliance as the interim Speaker.

Ihim, who presided over the Wednesday plenary, had read before the lawmakers a letter announcing the lifting of the suspension placed on the 27 local government chairmen by the state lawmakers last week.

The lawmakers were said to have raised objection to his action. 

They had quoted Order 15 of the House Rule, which authorises them to contribute to issues before the Speaker rules.

But apparently in defiance, Ihim said that no lawmaker was allowed to contribute to the matter. He had afterward, adjourned the day’s business and allegedly ordered his aides to switch-off the generating set supplying power to the complex and then escaped with the mace.

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Aside the Speaker, the House also suspended the Majority Leader of the House, Lugard Osuji; and elected Lloyd Chukwuemeka (Owerri North) in his place.

Addressing newsmen afterwards, the acting Speaker argued that the 21 lawmakers had served impeachment notices on Ihim and Osuji.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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