After his impeachment by 17 of the 25 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon Elvert Ayambem, has insisted that he remains the speaker of the legislature.
Ayamgbem a statement yesterday by his press secretary, Mathew Okachie, said he had not been removed from office.
He said, “What happened today 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 notice being served on anyone before the frivolous act as witnessed in 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.
“Elvert Ayambem remains the authentic Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly.
“Ayambem remains 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 prescient of the Assembly Complex,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, security agents have sealed the Assembly complex to prevent any breakdown of law and order following the commotion that ensued in the chamber.