Ibe, representing Obowo constituency, who is the third speaker the House has had within the last two years and since the current governor, Hope Uzodimma, assumed office, tendered his registration during a closed door special sitting yesterday.
The Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, who presided over the sitting after reading the letter of resignation, called for nominations for his replacement.
The process led to the emergency of Emeka Nduka, representing Ehime-Mbano Constituency as the new Speaker.
Nduka’s nomination, which was unanimously adopted by the House, was moved by the Majority Leader, Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West) and seconded by Uju Onwudiwe, member from Njaba Constituency.
The Guardian gathered that Ibeh’s decision followed an alleged plot by his colleagues to impeach him over deficiencies in legislative processes and House leadership.
Nduka’s emergence as the new Speaker is now the fourth in the last three years of the current 9th House of Assembly in Imo, following Ibe’s resignation and the impeachment of two previous Speakers.
Ibe was sworn in as Speaker on November 8, 2021, following the impeachment of Mr. Paul Emeziem, representing Onuimo Constituency, who took over from Chiji Collins, Isiala Mbano Constituency, in November 2020 after he was impeached for unparliamentary conduct and gross misconduct.
However, Chiji’s impeachment was, thereafter, expunged from legislative records and recorded as resignation, following his appeal to the House.
