Imo Lawmakers Deny Receiving N180m To Impeach Deputy Speaker

The Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Paul Emeziem, has refuted allegations that the impeachment of his deputy, Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu, was financially induced.

The denial came after some social media users alleged that each of the eighteen lawmakers that endorsed Iwuanyanwu’s impeachment was paid N10 million.

THE WHISTLER had reported that the deputy speaker was impeached on Tuesday after 18 out of 27 members of the state assembly reached a resolution to that effect.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Collins Osuji, Emeziem said he acted as the chief servant of the House and made pronouncement after acknowledging the resolution made by the majority.

He called on the people of Imo to disregard the rumors of inducement as it is “misleading” and emanating from “power drunk or drowning person or persons.”

The statement reads: “The attention of the office of the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem has been drawn to the fictitious, malicious and baseless reports trending on some sections of the social media regarding the removal of the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

“The Speaker, as the chief servant of the House, as required by ethics and law guiding the state Assembly, only made the pronouncement after acknowledging that the resolution received endorsement of the far majority of the House members.”

“But against the ‘factuality’ of what transpired, the mischief makers, sponsored by known elements, have taken to social media platforms to ditch out lies aimed at maligning the personality and integrity of the Speaker and the other members of the House.

“Also, that the Speaker and the members were bought over by some known politicians in the state to carry out the decision and by extension destabilize the state government led by His Excellency, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma was nowhere near the truth and should totally be disregarded.

“We, therefore, want to use this medium to appeal to the Imolites and the general public to treat the trending misleading and lies-infested reports with levity as they can only come from a power drunk or drowning person or persons.”