THE PLOT TO REMOVE MADUMERE THICKENS AS HOUSE BEGINS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS

BY UGOCHUKWU EKE

The planned move by the government of Imo state to remove the deputy governor of the state, Eze Madumere has moved to the next stage as members of the state house of have commenced impeachment proceeding against him.

The state house of assembly said they are moving the impeachment process against the deputy governor over alleged gross misconduct, dereliction of duty and abandoning his duty post among others.

The petition for Madumere’s impeachment was submitted by the Deputy Speaker, Nnanna Ozuruigbo and signed by 13 out of the 27 members of the House, just as they had earlier suspended some members to pave the way for their actions.

In the petition the Deputy Governor was accused of absconding from his office for more than three months without permission which they alleged is an impeachable offense.

Other allegations were the refusal by the deputy governor to carry out official duties assigned him by the governor, refusal to attend State Executive Council Meetings, refusal to hold meetings with the governor and commissioners and imprisonment for theft in the USA.

It could be recalled that the embattled Madumere has been having a running battle with his boss, Governor Rochas Okorocha over his governorship ambition which saw him alligning with other politicians against the governor.

The alignment with other political stakeholders was very evident during the last All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses in the state which the state governor was alleged have been angry with which resulted in the party being in disarray.

Calling for the presentation of the petition, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim, said that the petition has met and surpassed the required 1third as provided in Section 188 (2) 11 of the 1999 Constitution.

The House is made up of 27 members but four members were earlier suspended for “unparliamentary conduct”, which some political watchers in the state are saying is one of the moves to quicken the removal of the deputy governor.

The House thereafter set up a six-man committee headed by Hon Kennedy Ibe, member representing Obowo Local Government Area, to probe the allegations and report back to the House within seven days.

However a stakeholder in Imo state who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the way things are moving that he will advice the deputy governor to throw in the towel as they are determined to impeach him.

He advised that the best option open to the embattled deputy governor is for him to resign before it is too late which will also give him room to save his political future, adding that he can do it in so many ways.