Member representing Bekwara State Constituency in Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Omang Charles Omang, has said that the removal of the Cross River State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, on May 22, 2023 was in fulfillment, compliance and in accordance with the provisions of section 92, sub 2c with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered. He confirmed his stance during an interview with Chanels TV on Thursday morning.
According to him “The constitution provides that the speaker of the house of assembly can be removed if 2/3 majority of the house of assembly signs the removal notice. There is no other provision in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria that has any procedure to be followed.”
“The constitution does not even require the reasons why they are removing the speaker. We are not satisfied with the speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly because we have raised issues of gross financial misconduct, incompetence, substantial breach of provision of laws of Cross River State binding the speaker which 17 members came together and signed the notice of removal which was laid on the floor. The former speaker presided over his removal from office because the matter came under matter of urgent public importance. He even recognized the member representing Calabar South 1 State Constituency, Hon. Effiong Ekarika, who moved a valid motion, I, my humble self, seconded the motion and the speaker was removed from office. As we speak today, he is the former speaker of cross river state house of assembly.”
Responding to the questions around the current leadership situation of the house, Omang said that the constitution states that the deputy speaker can preside over plenary until a speaker is elected.
