Just In: Drama as Six lawmakers remove Imo Assembly speaker

Drama at the Imo State House of Assembly on Monday after six lawmakers led by the removed Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, invaded the house and removed the Speaker, Paul Emeziem.

The minority lawmakers immediately elected a ranking member, Kennedy Ibeh, as the new Speaker.Ibeh, who represents Obowo state constituency, was first elected into the parliament in 2015 and was reelected in 2019.

He was one of the six lawmakers, Emeziem controversially suspended on July 8 f.

But before Emeziem was removed, the complex was barricaded, barring Assembly staff, lawmakers and their aides from gaining access.

Emeziem, who got wind of his removal, rushed into the complex but was barred from gaining access into the complex.He was said to have been tear-gassed but he insisted to have his way.The new Speaker was one out of the 18 lawmakers whose names appeared to have signed a resolution, removing the ex-deputy speaker.

The new speaker, Ibeh, told newsmen in a telephone conversation that he would carry every lawmaker along.