Cross River State polity shaken to its core as Speaker of State House of Assembly in Hon Ayambem was impeached
The Cross River State polity was shaken to its core as Speaker of the House of Assembly in the State, Elvert Ayambem has was impeached
The decision was made by an overwhelming 17 members out of the 25-Member House today, Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Majority of the lawmakers passed a no-confidence vote on the Rt. Hon. Ayambem, about 11 months in office on the allegations of misappropriation of funds.
The impeachment motion was moved by Hon. Effiom Ekarika representing Calabar South 1 Constituency and seconded by Hon. Omang Charles Omang, representing Bekwarra State Constituency.
Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, who represents Ikom 2 State Constituency was elected Speaker of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023.
Newsdotafrica gathered that a rowdy session ensued after the impeachment of Hon. Ayambem.
There was a brawl as one of the lawmakers tried to grab the mace, which is the symbol of authority of the Speaker but was refused by the legislator with the mace.
According to the impeachment notice, the lawmakers alleged that the impeached speaker misappropriated a whooping forty- eight million Naira (N48, 000, 000) meant for the payment of electricity bills of the Assembly Complex and quarters.
They further alleged that Ayambem misappropriated two percent(2%) of all revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) monthly to the tune of four hundred and four million Naira (N404 000, 000).
The impeachment notice reads, “Misappropriation of the sum of N19,437, 844.00 (Nineteen Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and forty-five Naira) from Local Government deduction and eleven months deductions which he allegedly failed to disclose to members.”
“Incompetence and wrong conduct of plenary proceedings: Un-parliamentary way of conducting proceedings.
“Appointment of members to move or second motions rather than allowing interested members to raise their hands. Non-compliance with the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.
“Arbitrary approval of expenditure in flagrant breach of the provisions of Section 9(1) of the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.
“Approvals beyond the limit which the Speaker can approve contrary to Section 9(10) of the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.”
Among the lawmakers that signed the impeachment notice were Kingsley Ntui, Okon Owuna, Samuel Neji Abang, Cyril James Omini, Stanley Nsemo, Charles Omang Omang.
Others included Thomas Aruku, Eyo Bassey, Bassey Bassey Effiong, Francis Onete Ogban, Victor Nsa, Ovat Agbor, Pius Ashas Ashakia, Martins Achadu, Effiong Ekarika, Egbe Abeng Egbe, and Hilary Bisong.
