Kogi Assembly crisis deepens as two Speakers emerge as a faction closes the chamber till February next year

Hon Momoh Lawal 

As Kogi State House of Assembly crisis deepens, two Speakers have emerged and each laid claim to the leadership of the house along with members of their factions.

The embattled Speaker of the House, Hon. Momoh Lawal, disclosed that he still remained the authentic speaker despite an alleged impeachment said to have been carried out against him last Thursday.

Lawal, who was speaking during a chat with journalists in Lokoja yesterday, stated that the ill motivated move to hijack the leadership of Kogi State House of Assembly by some few members was most unpatriotic and at variance with the legislative practice and principle all over the world.

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He explained that the attempt to remove him, his deputy and minority leader was foiled urging the aggrieved members to note that power comes from God and God alone.

He stated that he is still in firm control of the state House Assembly , noting that he has written to the State Commissioner of Police that the State House of Assembly Complex should not be opened until 2nd February, 2016.

Lawal called on the members of the house to remain focus and be committed to the ideals of the founding fathers of the state.

“It is important to let the public know that though Ukwubile Achanu Ochejenunu of Idah Constituency attempted to move an impeachment motion with some other members”.

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The speaker added that when the attempt was made to impeach the principal officers, there was chaos in the house, noting that a peace loving leader quickly adjourned till February 2, 2016.

Lawal noted that even if he has to step down based on the arrangement of the incoming administration for governor to come from central senatorial district ,it has to be through dialogue and not by force or impeachment and forging the signature of Honourable members who were not part of the impeachment process.

Earlier on Thursday, December 10, 2015, 17 members of Kogi State House of Assembly while addressing newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, stated that the speaker has been impeached and replaced by Godwin Osiyi as the new Speaker.

They said the Speaker of Kogi State House of
Assembly, Momoh Jimoh Lawal has been impeached along with two other principal officers, the Deputy Speaker and Minority leader.

While addressing pressmen yesterday in Lokoja, the Chairman , House Committee on information, Honourable John Abbah stated that the action of 17 members of the House became imperative in view of the demand to remove the speaker before now.

Abbah explained that before now there have been several moves to remove him, but that they have been managing him, stating that when the 17 members could no longer manage him and others, they have to call for his impeachment.

Abbah who is the new Deputy Speaker stated that the speaker was impeached because of incompetence, greedy and betrayal of the members.

Those who were removed along with Speaker Lawal are the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Alih Akuh and Minority Leader, Hon. Hassan Bello.

Meanwhile, the house has elected a new speaker, Hon. Godwin Osiyi, while Hon. John Abbah was elected as Deputy Speaker and Hon. Eneche Ojochemenemi Linux is the new the Minority.

Speaking to the newsmen yesterday, the newly elected speaker, Godwin Osiyi stated that the impeachment exercise has nothing to do with the political situation in the state.

He pointed out that all the 25 members are capable of becoming the speaker of the house, stressing that if anyone is not competent such can be removed.

Osiyi stated that the house has been adjourned to December 16.

The 17 members that signed the impeachment of Alhaji Momoh Jimoh Lawal are:

1. Hon. Osiyi Godwin Ojo
2. Hon. Ibrahim Abdulmumini
3. Hon. (Bar) Oluwatoyin Lawal
4. Hon. Eneche Ojochenemi Linus
5. Hon. (Alh) Musa Jimoh Omiata
6. Hon. Prince M. O. Kolawole
7. Prince Zakari Osewu Mohammed
8. Hon. Omofaye Victor Adewale
9. Hon. John M. U. Abah
10. Hon. Edoko Moses Ododo
11. Hon. Obaro A. S. Pedro
12. Hon. Alfa Momoh Rabiu
13. Hon. Ndako Idris, Hon.
14. Salifu Isah Idachaba
15. Hon. Hassan Abdullah
16. Hon. Ukubile Ochijene-Acharu
17. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam

Meanwhile, member representing Lokoja constituency, Hon. Ahmed Umar Immam told journalists that he was not part of the impeachment saga that came up earlier in the day on Thursday Umar pointed out that he was supporting the leadership of Lawal, calling on other members to give peace a chance, noting that this period calls for sober reflection in the state.

He added that Kogi had been in the news in recent times and there is no need for another round of crisis in the state.

Also speaking, the member representing Igalamela/Odolu ,Hon. Friday Sanni stated that the whole process of the impeachment was a charade, noting that the rule of the house was not strictly followed.

Sanni maintained Ukwubile could not laid claim to have the mandate of all members, saying it was erroneous to say so.

He lamented that it was sad that the some Honourable members resulted to forging of signature of others, noting that those behind the move intend to cause another crisis in the state.

The lawmaker pointed out that the integrity and
progressive group rose to the occasion to frustrated the attempt to throw the House Assembly into deep crisis.

Stressing that Kogi cannot afford to go through crisis again based on the recent crisis arising from the just concluded election.

However, a new twist may have been added to the impeachment saga as the Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the election of three out of 17 members that carried out the impeachment, thereby raising the question of whether the purported impeachment will still stand.

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