Group sues Cross River gov, 26 others over reinstatement of Speaker

A group known as Youth Action Network has dragged Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, and 26 others to a Calabar High Court over the purported reinstatement of Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem as Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.

Ayambem was, on May 22, 2024, removed by 17 of the 25 members of the Assembly over allegations of financial misappropriation after a vote of no confidence was passed on him.

However, after the intervention of Governor Otu, the members reinstated him through a vote of confidence.

In the originating summons filed by its Director General, Joseph Odey, brought pursuant to Order 19 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2023, in Suit no HC/106/2024, the claimant prayed for an interim injunction restraining the governor and other government officials from recognising or relating with Ayambem as Speaker of the
House of Assembly pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The claimant, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also sought an order restraining Ayambem from parading himself as Speaker of the House of Assembly pending hearing and determination of the matter.

He also sought relief from the court to declare that Ayambem remains removed or impeached as Speaker of the Assembly or order the Clerk of the Assembly to begin processes for the election of a new Speaker or formally re-elect Ayambem as Speaker immediately.

It could be recalled that last week, a high court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Abua granted the prayers of a citizen, Raymond Manga, Esq, and ruled that Ayambem was validly removed.

Speaking with newsmen on the matter, Odey said he is in court because Cross River State is at risk of governmental disruption due to the absence of a duly elected Speaker of the House of Assembly, adding that without a validly elected Speaker, the laws passed by the House are invalid, hindering the governor’s ability to govern effectively.

“I am also in court to uphold democratic principles. Cross River State must follow proper procedures in selecting its Speaker in line with the rules laid down by the House of Assembly for itself in 2011.

“The impeachment of Mr. Elvert Ayambem was lawful, but his continued role as Speaker is not because he was not re-elected according to the Assembly’s rules.

“Governance requires following laid-down rules and processes. The Speaker cannot be chosen outside the House chamber. After Mr. Elvert’s impeachment, a formal election must take place within the Assembly to determine the new Speaker.”

The Guardian reports that the House of Assembly had passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker after Governor Otu intervened in the matter and normalcy seems to have returned to the state legislature.