Against the rumour that the recent impeachment of Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, former Deputy Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, by his colleagues could be reversed, following unconfirmed rumours interventions by lobbyists, members of the House have maintained that the decision was final and irreversible.
Some lawmakers who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, insisted that no amount of inducement, blackmail and propaganda would reverse their collective decision to sack Hon. Iwuanyanwu, member representing Nwangele State Constituency.
They further disclosed that they unanimously rejected Iwuanyanwu’s alleged attempt to persuade them with monetary inducement to reinstate him.
One of the lawmakers said, “I don’t know what he is afraid of. The reality is that he has been impeached. The House has taken their decision and there is no going back on it. He should be humble enough to continue to serve the good people of Nwangele as a member. We are all equals. It is only a privilege, not a right to be an officer in the House.
“I am even surprised by his level of desperation to remain on that seat. I don’t know what he is trying to protect. You see this is what happens when one allows ego, pride pomposity to consume him. It is very unfortunate.
Another lawmaker from Orlu Zone said, “the fact that we have unanimously stuck to our resolve, should tell anybody who cares to listen, particularly the hack writers he has unleashed on our Speaker and the entire House, that no amount of desperate blackmail will change the status quo.
“And I want to warn Iwuanyanwu to call his attack dogs to order. The insult on the hallowed office the Governor is enough. You could see the manner they have made caricature of the Governor, portraying him as someone that is not in charge or loved by his people. We gave him support and has been patient with all his unparliamentary conduct. But there is a limit to patience.
“He should be reminded that he was not the first person to be impeached. After all, he spearheaded the removal of former Speaker, Chiji Collins. So why is his own different? He should also ask himself why is it that Imolites, especially informed politicians within the APC are happy and have commended us for saving the Government from imminent collapse.
“Another lawmaker said, “as far as we are concerned, his removal is a liberation for the 9th Assembly. He has been engaged in divisive acts, pride, he treats members with disdain and does not accord the Speaker respect. He carries on as if he was Supreme Speaker and blackmails everybody before the Governor. We will now prove our loyalty to the Governor so that he will know and acknowledge our individual efforts.
It could be recalled that the embattled former Deputy Speaker was Tuesday impeached following the resolution by eighteen out of the 27 members of the House.
This was after the House had recalled the six lawmakers who were in July suspended over alleged parliamentary misconduct.
Iwuanyanwu was elected the Deputy Speaker of the House following the sacking of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha by the Supreme Court on 14 January 2020. He had served under the previous Speaker, Chiji Collins who reports had it that he was the arrowhead that masterminded his removal from office on the 13th November, 2020.
