Gov. Ikpeazu Reacts To Abia House Of Assembly Crisis | READ DETAILS

Following the crisis rocking the Abia state House of Assembly, the incumbent state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, and other House members to “maintain peace and allow reason and patriotism to guide their actions.”

In a statement released by his Chief Press secretary Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, the governor offered to mediate and resolve the crisis noting that “it will absolutely make no sense to engage in any issue that is likely to plunge the State into any form of confusion.”

Some House of Assembly members led by the deputy speaker, Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in a guest house, voted for the impeachment of Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji as the speaker while they elected Honourable Chukwudi Apugo as the new speaker.

According to Uchendu, Orji was impeached on the grounds of “many allegations against him’. He however did not mention the allegations.

Swiftly, a proceeding was convened at the floor of the Abia state House of Assembly complex presided over by Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji where the lawmakers present unanimously voted for the suspension of nine lawmakers;

Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu
Rt. Hon. Kennedy Njoku
Hon. Chikwendu Kalu
Hon. Chukwudi Apugo
Hon. Aaron Uzodike
Hon. Thomas Nkoro
Hon. Okey Igwe
Hon. Obinna Ichita
Hon. Chijioke Chukwu.

The House elected Honourable Mandela Obasi as the substantive deputy speaker.

Read Ememanka’s full statement below;

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has offered to mediate in the crisis in the State House of Assembly.

The Governor is of the firm view that with barely less than one month to the end of his administration and the ushering of a new administration, it will absolutely make no sense to engage in any issue that is likely to plunge the State into any form of confusion.
Governor Ikpeazu’s main preoccupation at the moment is how to pilot the Ship of State peacefully and steadily into the new administration and tie up all administrative matters including the completion of key projects.

The Governor, therefore, does not have the luxury of time and resources for any crisis at the moment. Above all, the mood in the State makes any such move inexpedient.
Governor Ikpeazu appeals to the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji and Members of that hallowed Assembly to maintain the peace and allow reason and patriotism to guide their actions.

The Governor will be meeting with the members shortly.