*Impeachment attempt was thwarted, Jimoh said in a statement
The political crises generated over the inconclusive November 28 governorship election in Kogi State Thursday deepened with the sudden removal of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Momoh Lawal Jimoh.
Along with Jimoh, who was removed by 17 out of the 25 members on the floor of the house, other legislators removed were his Deputy Ali Akuh and the Minority Leader Hassan Bello.
The 17 members elected in replacement Godwin Osiyi, representing Ogori/Magongo state constituency as the new Speaker, John Abah from Ibaji state constituency who was chairman, House Committee on Information and Orientation, was elected the new Deputy Speaker and Linus Eneche was elected the new Minority Leader.
But in a quick reaction, Momoh Jimoh, in a statement said he remains the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, asking members to always put the state first before their inordinate interests.
Momoh Jimoh, who got wind of his removal motion when a “vote of no confidence” against him was being moved by Henry Ukubile of Idah constituency and seconded by Umar Iman of Lokoja state constituency, quickly grabbed the House Mace and escaped with it.
On his way out, he paused to announce that plenary sitting has been adjourned till February 2, 2016.
Speaking with newsmen at the NUJ secretariat shortly after the impeachment, the spokesman of the group John Abah said the Speaker was impeached because he failed to give adequate leadership to the House.
According to him, “We, members had been tolerating the situation since the inauguration of the Eighth Assembly in the state, but had to take the step in order to salvage the legislative arm of government and the entire state.
“We (17 members) of the assembly agreed to remove Momoh Jimoh and others when it was obvious that he lacked the capacity to lead the assembly.”
Meanwhile, in a statement personally signed by him, Jimoh said he remains the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, noting that the name and signature of the member representing Lokoja state constituency Umar Iman, was forged as one of those that supported the impeachment.
He said, “Although an attempt was made to move an impeachment motion against me, it was quickly thwarted and the House adjourned.
“The ill-motivated attempt to hijack the leadership of the Kogi State House of Assembly by some few members can best be described as most unpatriotic and at variance with legislative practices and principles the world over.”
He also urged members of the Assembly to be committed to the ideals of the founding fathers of the state and that the Assembly had adjourned sitting till February 2, 2016.
