The Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Kennedy Ibe on Monday resigned paving way for the election of the member for Ehime Mbano Constituency, Emeka Nduka as his successor.
No reason was offered publicly by Ibe for throwing in the towel.
Nduka, a lawyer is a first-time member of the House.
With the development, the Ninth Assembly has had a turnover of four speakers in three years.
Ibe’s two predecessors were impeached in 2020 and in 2021, respectively.
Ibe was sworn on as speaker on November 8, 2021, following the impeachment of Paul Emeziem (APC-Onuimo) for forgery and highhandedness.
Emeziem took over from Collins Chiji (APC-Isiala Mbano) in November 2020 after he was impeached for unparliamentary conduct and gross misconduct.
Chiji, however, appealed to the House to have his impeachment expunged from the legislative records and recorded as resignation, a request which was approved.
The fourth speaker, Nduka was elected at a closed-door special sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Amarachi Iwuanyanwu (APC-Nwangele) who called for nominations after reading Ibe’s letter of resignation.
The Majority Leader, Kanayo Onyemaechi (APC-Owerri West) nominated Nduka, a nomination seconded by Uju Onwudiwe (APC-Njaba).
Two major actions taken by Ibe during his speakership were the declaration of the seats of members for NgorOkpala, Tochi Okereke and Nkwerre, Obinna Okwara vacant.
While the sacking of Okereke did not raise eyebrows having missed sitting for more than one year without permission or reason, the ouster of Okwara for defecting to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP from the All Progressives Congress, APC kicked off dust that is yet to settle.
Ibe is rated as a vibrant and intelligent lawmaker.
Observers are waiting with bated breath to know the reason for his sudden resignation.
