Ex-Abia Speaker Faults Impeachment as Kinsmen Warn of Dire Consequences

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

The former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Martins Azubuike, has finally opened up after his impeachment last Thursday by his fellow lawmakers, saying his removal was “procedurally flawed” as due process was not followed.

He spoke at a welcome home reception held for him yesterday by his kinsmen from the Ngwa section of Abia Central, who were very angry at the way and manner he was removed from office.

The former speaker said he was not going to contest his ouster in court despite the irregularities that characterised it as such legal tussle would not be in the interest of the state which “has been in the news for the wrong reasons.”

According to him, there were valid points to upturn the impeachment in court as “nobody served me any impeachment notice, nobody reconvened the assembly the day they sat”, adding that “because I mean well for Abia” he has taken his removal in good faith.

“I am still in the vanguard, in the business of supporting our governor to ensure that he succeeds (because) this house is our collective effort and we’re not going to destroy it,” he said.

Azubuike, who is serving his third tenure in the Abia legislature, said that he remained the best lawmaker for the post of speakership and would still bring his wealth of experience to assist the new speaker, Hon Chikwendu Enyinnaya Kanu to succeed.

“I do not see anybody there (Abia legislature) who can do it better than myself,” he said, adding that though he has been removed as speaker his seat as the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North state constituency remains intact.

Azubuike said the alleged financial impropriety against him was “an omnibus statement” as the office complex for lawmakers which he completed was enough evidence that the finances of the legislature was judiciously used with the 18 months he was in office as speaker.

The political bloc under the aegis of Umunnato comprising Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma local Government Areas had organised the reception in recognition of his sterling performance as speaker despite his impeachment.

Chairman of Isiala Ngwa North local government, Hon Ginger Onwusibe described Azubuike as “defender of equity and justice” adding that Umunnato people had gathered to celebrate “one of our own, who is one of the finest lawmakers in Abia State’.

He said tfollowing the impeachment of Azubuike people had expected that his people would go on rampage to protest the “injustice” done to him but such a thing would not happen because “we fought hard for the present government and we cannot destroy the house wee jointly built.”

But one of the political leaders from the area, Dr. Gershon Amuta, was blunt in expressing the collective anger of the Ngwa component of Abia central, warning that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be ready to pay the political price of Azubuike’s impeachment.

“Nobody can say that we are not angry though we won’t block the road but we must warn that nobody should pull the tiger by the tail,” he said.

Foremost Ngwa leader, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, expressed deep disappointment at the collusion of lawmakers from Ngwa areas which made it possible for their kinsman to be impeached and disgraced out of speakership.
He alluded that the removal of the former speaker amounted to a collective insult to Ngwa people and therefore insisted that the Ngwa people would no longer allow other people “to keep insulting us” adding, We will only accept those that accept us and reject those that reject us.

All the other speakers at the occasion, including the member representing Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South federal constituency, Hon Darlington Nwokocha and former director general of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Chief Chuku Wachukwu, all condemned the removal of Azubuike as speaker.