Why I resigned as Imo deputy speaker, by Ozurigbo, Speaker’s suspension long overdue, says lawmaker

Deputy speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Ugonna Ozurigbo, has resigned. The resignation came a day after the speaker, Acho Ihim, was suspended and less than a month to the expiration of the eighth assembly.

Ozurigbo said he resigned to prepare for his new position in the House of Representatives as member-elect for Nwangele/Nkwerre/Isu/Njaba federal constituency.

Ihim and the majority leader, Lugard Osuji (Owerri Municipal), were suspended and served notices of impeachment by 21 out of the 27 members of the state assembly on Wednesday.

While Ihim was replaced with Chinedu Offor (Onuimo), Osuji was replaced with Lloyd Chukwuemeka (Owerri North).

Ozurigbo’s resignation letter to the clerk of the house, Chris Duru, stated: “As you already know, I have been sent to another four years mission at the House of Representatives by my constituency.

“This new task has come with its own challenges and expectations, especially the need to play key roles in the formation of the National Assembly leadership, and to strategically position to pursue the greater interests of Imo, Southeast and Nigeria at the federal legislature. Currently, these will make my availability in Imo irregular.”

But it was gathered that the resignation was not unconnected with the current leadership crisis rocking the house.

Reacting to the development, Kennedy Ibe (Obowo) said the speaker’s suspension was long over due.

He accused the speaker of running the affairs of the house as his personal business without recourse to the powers of the other lawmakers.

Ibe, in a radio programme, ‘Peoples Assembly’ of Hot FM, Owerri, said the eighth assembly under Ihim’s watch fell short of its responsibilities and expectation of the people.