Africa-Press – Nigeria. Former presidential aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has said there cannot be a vacuum in the leadership of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
There were media reports about the removal of Elvert Ayambem over alleged financial impropriety as the Speaker two days ago by 17 out of 25 lawmakers.
Ayambem has insisted, in a statement, that he remains the Speaker, faulting the method used to allegedly remove him and describing as fake whoever that the 17 lawmakers may come up with.
The 17, who are in possession of the mace, have been meeting in a hotel to finalize on who to replace Ayambem.
Proceedings on the floor of the Assembly have halted as a result of the alleged removal.
In a statement, Obono-Obla said, “There is no vacuum whatsoever in the leadership of the Cross River House of Assembly presently.
“The Deputy Speaker, Sylvester Agabi representing Obudu state constituency, should preside over the House whenever it reconvenes and a new Speaker will be elected there after.
“The Deputy Speaker is still in office as he was not affected by the removal Speaker.
“There is No Rule in the Rules and Regulations of the Cross River State House of Assembly that says when the Speaker of the House of Assembly is removed ,another Speaker must automatically with alacrity be elected to replace the one removed.”
He commended the legislators for demonstrating independence and leadership in doing something in view of the allegation against the former Speaker.
“The constitutional requirement of the Speaker was complied with when 17 legislators out of 25 voted for his removal.
“The Constitution provides that 2/3 of the total number of legislators in the House of Assembly can veto to remove the Speaker,” he added.
Obono-Obla, himself a lawyer, copiously quoted parts of the federal constitution to buttress his position.
“Section 95(1) and (2) of the Constitution is handy and therefore comes into aid.
Section 95 (1) and (2) of the Constitution provides as:
(1) At any sitting of a House of Assembly, the Speaker of that House shall preside, and in his absence the Deputy Speaker shall preside.
(2) In the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House, such members of the House as the House may elect for a purpose shall preside.”
He faulted Ayambem for insisting that he remains the Speaker.
“The insinuation that the removed Speaker remains in office because another Speaker was not elected on 22 May 2024 when he was removed upon a resolution signed by 17 members is bunkum and constitutionally a balderdash,” he said.
For More News And Analysis About Nigeria Follow Africa-Press
