Despite that 17 lawmakers have fought and succeeded in grabbing the symbol of legislative authority, the Mace, following their decision to impeach the Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, he has insisted that he remains the Speaker.
In a statement signed by the media aide to the Speaker, Matthew Okache, Ayambem described the development in the Assembly as ridiculous and a charade, adding that the Assembly was not aware of any impeachment.
Meanwhile, a fight had ensued on the floor of the House after the lawmaker representing Calabar South 1 Ekarika Effiong moved a motion for the removal of the Speaker and seconded by Charles Omang.
The Sergeant-at-arm had rushed to take the legislative authority, the mace but Ekarika was faster, both therefore struggling for the mace.
At the same time, the 17 lawmakers who had pre-planned stood up with Nigeria’s flag chanting solidarity songs and took away the mace.
There are 25 members of the Assembly.
The statement said, “Cross River State House of Assembly has been alerted of false news reports that the Cross River State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has been impeached.
“To be clear, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly is without a doubt Rt. Hon Elvert Ayambem and that is the current position. What happened earlier today (Wednesday) during the plenary, when Hon. Effiong Akarika, a member representing Calabar South 1, disrupted the session by inviting hoodlums to enter the chamber, is a ridiculous charade with no constitutional basis.
“The House of Assembly is not aware of any impeachment notices being served to anyone before the frivolous act as witnessed at the chambers.
“The alleged impeachment and replacement are speculative, and the general public is urged to disregard fake news and dismiss any notion of a crisis. The status quo is that Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem is the Speaker of the House of Assembly.”
The statement insisted that Elvert Ayambem remains the Speaker.
“He is unconcerned and determined to elevate the Cross River State House of Assembly and support the Executive arm of government, led by His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, in achieving the people’s first mantra.
“Also note, that the removal of the speaker and election is not done anywhere but within precinct of the Assembly Complex.”
Confusion in Cross River Assembly as Elvert Ayambem insists he remains Speaker