Despite facing impeachment by over 20 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Speaker Elvert Ayambem has defiantly declared himself as the legitimate head of the assembly.
The impeachment process against Ayambem was initiated by members who signed a notice of impeachment and subsequently moved a motion for his removal on the floor of the House.
The motion was spearheaded by Effiong Ekarika, representing Calabar South 1, and seconded by Charles Omang.
In response to the impeachment, Ayambem issued a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Matthew Okache, dismissing the process as null and void. He alleged that Ekarika, the initiator of the motion, disrupted the session by inviting hoodlums into the chamber.
The statement read, “The Cross River State House of Assembly has been alerted to false news reports that the Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, has been impeached.
“To be clear, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly is, without a doubt, Elvert Ayambem. He is in the current position. What happened earlier today (Wednesday) during the plenary, when 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 Elvert Ayambem is the Speaker of the House of Assembly.”
The statement reflects Ayambem’s refusal to accept the outcome of the impeachment proceedings, setting the stage for a potential power struggle within the Cross River State House of Assembly.
Earlier, operatives from the Department of State Services, the Dragon Squad, and officers from the Nigeria Police Force assumed control of the assembly premises to alleviate the brewing tension among the legislators.