Cross River Assembly Lawmakers Plan Speaker's Impeachment...

At least 11 of the 24 lawmakers from the Cross River State House of Assembly want their speaker John Lebo being removed from his position. Accusing him of incompetence, disrespect and oppression the legislators have reportedly signed the impeachment notice. Simon Nkoro, the leader of the Restoration Family group, also reported about seven other lawmakers considering impeachment and highly likely to agree in the next week.

The lawmaker, who represents Ikom 2 state constituency, said: “Those of us planning to remove the speaker are the most experienced lawmakers in the house and who had overlooked the excesses of the speaker since he assumed office.

There is no water in the assembly complex and no welfare package for lawmakers and their aides, yet the speaker has deliberately refused to take action to address these issues. The beauty of democracy is that they must be divergent views. So the impeachment plan is part of legislative proceedings and an internal legislative affair that cannot be done from the outside.

Last year when Hilary Bisong made the move for the speaker’s impeachment, most of us, who were more experienced felt it was too early, even when there were serious issues that would have warranted his impeachment. What we can assure you is that we are not going to do anything in the governor’s absence.

Immediately he is back, we will present the impeachment notice to him,” Mr. Nkoro added. John Lebo’s position on the situation Surprisingly but Mr Lebo denied impeachment threats and explained his colleagues’ accusations by the non-payment of their quarterly oversight and aides’ allowances.

A statement signed by his Azogor Ideba, the chief press secretary to the Cross River State House of Assembly Speaker John Lebo, reads in part:“With regards to all the welfare issues, payments and official vehicles complained about by the members, the speaker is also affected.

This is the first speaker, who resides with the members in the same quarters. In fact, he is still occupying the same house that was allocated to him in his first term as a member. Cross River State House of Assembly is not the only house of assembly in the country where members are unhappy about their welfare due to the economic downturn in the country.

The Speaker enjoys the full support of the assembly and this is evident in the response of members to plenary and committee meetings.”