Why Delta Assembly speaker, Igbuya was impeached

.Ex-Speaker alleges Okowa’s involvement

Palpable tension on Thursday enveloped Delta State, particularly Asaba, the state capital, following the impeachment of the State Assembly Speaker, Mr. Monday Igbuya.

The impeached speaker has been slapped with three months suspension, just as the Majority Leader, Tim Ohwofere, was also suspended.

Although the tension continued to hang in the air even on the face of security agents on Thursday, informed sources said Igbuya was removed from office over his alleged disagreement with the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on what was described as shoddy performances in the last two years of his administration.

Besides, the former speaker had also incurred the wrath of his kinsmen who described most of his actions as “barbaric and unorthodox” especially as he became the speaker of the House of Assembly with alleged defaults.

Expectedly, twenty-two members out of the twenty-nine members were said to have signed the impeachment notice after he (Igbuya) was accused of incompetence and high handedness.

Insiders said the angry lawmakers convened their meetings outside the Assembly complex at about 3:00am on Thursday with heavy security beefed up around a private hotel of a member (name withheld) where the twenty-two members resolved that the Igbuya security referred to as “Okpe rascal” must go before they moved into the Assembly Hallowed Chambers where they met and decision reached to elect Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori as the new speaker, replacing Mr. Monday Owhoviogho Igbuya.

But the embattled former speaker who refused to surrender, however spoke in Urhobo language said he was vilified and removed from office on the alleged support of the governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Unconfirmed sources said that Igbuya who represents Sapele constituency and a PDP chieftain had allegedly criticised the governor on his tribal sentiments and shoddy performance, a situation the governor allegedly took cognizance of, and resolved that he cannot continue as the speaker under his administration.

Overtimes, Igbuya had been embattled and locked in the web of alleged incompetence; a situation his colleagues made three attempts that were aborted by the governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Sources said plenary session was supposed to have been held at 10.00am on Thursday at Government House where the aggrieved lawmakers held a closed door meeting with the governor. Security agents were seen at every nocks and cranny, particularly within the Government House where the security agents were given list of the Assembly
lawmakers that will should be allowed to come into the governor’s office.

The governor’s media aides, who did not want their names in the print, dispelled the allegations against the governor as untrue, adding: “Igbuya is not competent, and his highhanded, it is the governor who had been saving him all the three times they wanted to impeach him”.

Igbuya’s media aide, Mr. Henry Ebierere, refused to pick his calls severally our reporter called him.

Some Assembly workers who spoke to our reporter on the condition of anonymity described the former speaker as proactive, even though he is hot tempered, alleging that his removal was the handiwork of the governor whom they said had earlier complained that the speaker’s alleged irresponsible utterances might end his speakership.
The new speaker, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, represents Okpe constituency and a foundation member of the PDP in Delta State.

The House at the plenary session was presided over by the deputy speaker, Mr. Friday Osanebi, while the Majority Leader, Mr. Tim Owhofere, was removed and replaced by Mr. Johnson Erifo.

Meanwhile, Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, has urged Igbuya not to despair about his removal, saying it is a victory for his person and the genuine democratic forces in Delta State.

Ojougboh said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, alleging that Igbuya was removed from office because he accompanied former Governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, to visit the governor and the good people of Bayelsa State.

“His problem with Okowa started immediately after that visit but we must state that Mr. Igbuya has served creditably well and we are proud of his services to the people of Delta State. Governor Okowa should be reminded that power belongs to God and that it is transient.

“He should also be reminded that eight years is not forever and therefore, mindful of how he treats people while in office,” Ojougboh said.

Twenty-two (22) members signed the impeachment Notice; 21 members plus the Clerk of the House were present at the sitting;

As at the time of filing this report, the Assembly premises was cordoned off by armed personnel including fierce looking mobile policemen.

However, members of the Assembly immediately after the impeachment moved to the Government House to meet with Governor Okowa.