UMUAHIA—AS the panel investigating allegations levelled against the deputy governor of Abia State moves to the second phase of its assignment, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Nkem Ike has made a passionate appeal to his former colleagues to drop the move to impeach Dr. Chima Nwafor in the interest of political stability in the state. Ike’s appeal came on the heels of unconfirmed reports that the House had already begun moves to get the required two-thirds majority votes for the impeachment to sail through. The former Speaker who is now a Special Assistant to Governor Orji Kalu on Commerce, Industry and Inter-governmental Affairs while acknowledging the fact that the House had the constitutional right to impeach the deputy governor, however pleaded with the lawmakers to realise that all eyes were on them.
His words: “I know that what the House is doing is constitutional but I think that is not the best. During the first tenure of this political dispensation, Abia House of Assembly removed its Speakers twice and for three times attempted to remove the former deputy governor, Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe.
It is true that this deputy governor (Nwafor) may have committed an offence, but I want them to temper justice with mercy. They should remember that the senate president Chief Adolphus Wabara was almost removed but the senators had to drop the move following the intervention of the leadership of the ruling peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this matter, the state governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has pleaded with them to drop it. The leadership of the party has also intervened and in the interest of this state, they should leave this matter.”
Meanwhile, apparently anticipating that the Emma Nwonye investigating panel may find the deputy governor guilty, Vanguard reliably gathered that some of the lawmakers who earlier signed for the impeachment of the deputy governor before the state chief judge set up the panel have backed out. A soruce in the house said that there might be a replay of the Enyinnaya Abaribe (former deputy governor) episode in which the House was unable to get the required two-thirds votes to finally remove him from office even after an investigating panel had found him guilty. It was not clear who and who among the 17 PDP members who earlier endorsed the impeachment move had backed out, but Vanguard was informed that if the votes are cast today, the impeachment exercise would fail.
The member representing Osisioma south state constituency in the House, Chief Donatus Nwankpo who represents Nwafor’s constituency on the platform of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) alleged that those who have chickened out of the impeachment exercise were being victimised by the leadership of the House. He did not elaborate.
