Friday, December 11, 2015

Kogi Speaker impeached over incompetence

The political crises generated over the November 28 governorship election in Kogi State, yesterday deepened with the sudden removal of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Momoh Lawal Jimoh.
Kogi-Speaker
Kogi-Speaker, Momoh Lawal Jimoh







Apart from Jimoh, who was removed by 17 out of the 25 members, at the floor of the house, other legislators removed were his deputy, Ali Akuh and the Minority Leader, Hassan Bello.
But in a quick reaction, Lawal Jimoh, in a press statement said he still remains the Speaker of the State House of Assembly asking members to always put the state first before their inordinate interests.
Momoh Lawal, who got wind of his removal when the ‘vote of no confidence’ against him was being read, quickly grasped the Mace and escaped with it.
On his way out, he also said plenary sitting have been adjourned till February 2, 2016, but the 17 members still went ahead to elect Godwin Osiyi, representing Ogori/Magongo state constituency as the new Speaker.
John Abah from Ibaji state constituency, (Chairman House Committee on Information and Orientation) was elected as the new Deputy Speaker, and Linus Eneche elected the new Minority Leader.
Speaking with newsmen at the NUJ shortly after the impeachment process, the spokesperson of the group, John Abah said the Speaker was impeached because he failed to give adequate leadership to the House.”
He said the motion for the impeachment was moved by Henry Ukubile of Idah constituency and seconded by Umar Iman of Lokoja state constituency.
According to him; “We members had been tolerating the situation since the inauguration of the Eighth Assembly in the state, but had to take the step in order to salvage the legislative arm of government and the entire state.
“We (17 members) of the assembly agreed to remove Momoh Jimoh and others when it was obvious that he lacked the capacity to lead the assembly.”
Meanwhile, Lawal in a press statement personally signed by him said he remains the speaker of the state House of Assembly, noting that the name and signature of the member representing Lokoja state constituency, Umar Iman, was forged as one of those that supported the impeachment.
He said, “Although an attempt was made to move an impeachment motion against me, but it was quickly thwarted and the house adjourned.
“The ill motivated attempt to hijack the leadership of the Kogi state House of Assembly by some few members can best be described as most unpatriotic and at variance with legislative practices and principles the world over.”
He also urged members of the assembly to be committed to the ideals of the founding fathers of the state and thereafter said the Assembly had adjourned sitting till February 2, 2016.


Vanguard

No comments:

Post a Comment