The Imo State House of Assembly seems to be sitting on a keg of gunpowder following the lamentations among members that the Principal Officers of the House were imposed on them by the machination of the Executive Arm of Government.
Information available to Anaedoonline revealed that the 27-member House of Imo Assembly is embroiled in internal crisis as most of the members have registered their anger to the Speaker, Rt Hon Collins Chiji, over how they believe they were left out in the process that produced the Principal Officers.
Some of those who spoke to newsmen said they only heard about the latest “appointments” of the principal officers like every other citizens, claiming that there were no election, as practiced before, to elect principal officers.
A source also Informed Anaedoonline that the new Deputy Speaker, Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu from Nwangele constituency was not “elected” and there were neither elections, nor were there consultations before he was forced on the House as Deputy Speaker.
The aggrieved Lawmakers also alleged that even Hon Uche Ogbuagu who was made the Majority Leader should not have emerged because he came from the same constituency (Ikeduru) with the Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku.
The source claimed that Uche Ogbuagu was “compensated” because he said it would be disgraceful to him if no position was given to him after he supposedly betrayed his former party the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as well as abandoned his former friend and political ally Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.
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“That position was not meant for Uche Ogbuagu. He practically cried that he should not be humiliated, and only thing that can shore up his reputation would be the office of Majority Leader, following how he convinced most of his PDP Lawmakers to join APC” the source alleged.
The source also maintained that Hon Egwim who was given the position of Chief Whip was supposed to be made Deputy Speakership based on his experience and candour but the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma said he preferred Iwuanyanwu.
Only ten members, out of the Twenty Seven members attended yesterday’s plenary session following the brewing crisis.
Our newspaper also learnt that Imo state House members are also accusing Speaker Chiji Collins of not protecting their interest and only cared about his own interest.
“This is a man that has jumped from three political parties within Nine months in a bid to save his office, yet he sees himself as a man of principle. Can you imagine that? All he thinks is being a Speaker and does not care about his colleagues” the source told newsmen.
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