Bayelsa speaker impeached amid crisis

Sola Ajibola, Yenagoa - 19.02.2008

The Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Honourable Werinipre Seibarugu, was on Monday impeached by a faction in the House, while another group has suspended six members of the House over what was described as gross misconduct and flagrant abuse of office.

The speaker, who was impeached alongside his deputy, Nestor Binabo, was accused of financial recklessness and concealing of official information to the detriment of the House.

Moving the motion for impeachment, Honourable Ebamughan Empere alleged that a letter was forwarded to the House by the executive arm of the government for the dissolution of the 36 development centres, but instead of allowing the House to deliberate on the letter, the speaker concealed the information.

Supporting the motion, Honourable Delight Igali described the act as unparliamentary and, therefore, called for the removal of the speaker and his deputy.

Also suspended alongside the Speaker were: Hon. Nadu Karibo, Robert Enogha, Ruby Benjamin, Amaalanyou Yousou, Ayobegha James and Obuebite Jonathan. In a reaction, another faction of the House has suspended seven members of the House. Those suspended were: Hon. Noah Opusiri Otobo, Franklin Otele, Kombowei Benson, Angaye Fini Terah, Victor Sam Ateke and Ebamugha Empere.

The suspension order was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Robert Enogha, who had earlier been suspended by the other faction.

The statement warned the suspended members to distance themselves from the House of Assembly as it threatened that they would be arrested if they flouted the order.

To forestall a breakdown of law and order, the state House of Assembly has been sealed off by the police while the state owned radio station is heavily guarded by the security outfit.

Nigerian Tribune recalled that the Speaker, Hon Seibarugu, had earlier been suspended alongside other notable members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for alleged anti-party activities.