By Chidiebere Iwuoha
Owerri
The Imo State House of Assembly was yesterday thrown into confusion following the sack of three principal officers on the request of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The principal officers, who were suspended and removed from their positions for allegedly initiating the boycott of the budget presentation by the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, penultimate Tuesday, are the Majority Leader, Hon Lugard Osuji (Owerri Municipal), his Deputy, Hon Kennedy Ibe (Obowo state constituency) and the Chief whip, Marcel Odunze (Orlu State constituency).
The Assembly effected their suspension and removal following a letter signed by the State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Hilary Eke, requesting that they be disciplined for leading the revolt against Governor’s budget presentation.
To effect the directive, 10 members of the House were said to have forced their way into the floor of the chambers and demanded that the Speaker Acho Ihim read and enforce the content of the letter from the party.
Accordingly, it was done and the principal officers who were immediately suspended and removed from their offices, were subsequently replaced by Hon. Uche Oguwuike of Ikeduru as the new Majority Leader, Hon Chinedu Offor of Onuimo as the new Deputy Leader, while Hon Arthur Egwim of Ideato North came in as the new Chief Whip.
It would be recalled that 20 members of the House had 48 hours after the boycott called for the impeachment of the Clerk of the House, Chris Duru, who was later also removed and suspended.
Our Correspondent observed that while the exercise was going on, the sacked lawmakers and their sympathizers, about 17 of them were at the Press Gallery, claiming that they had already resigned and at the same time laughing at the process.
