Embattled Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, has been impeached.
He has been replaced by Monday Obolo, lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 2.
Recall that Isenah had tendered his resignation on Friday and showed readiness to vacate his position on Monday, September 30 when the House resumed sitting.
His resignation, had been attributed to pressure mounted on him by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to give up his position before the November 16 governorship election in the state.
Obolo’s emergence as the new Speaker is expected to assuage the feeling of the Southern Ijaw people where the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief David Lyon hailed from and improve the chances of the PDP.
However, following the impeachment on Monday, a media Aide to Isenah, Ranami Afagha, said the action would not stand as it was carried out contrary to the standing rules of the House.
He said the mace of the House was violently taken away by thugs before the impeachment adding that since the symbol of authority was not in the House his boss’s removal was illegal and unconstitutional.
“Those who don’t want peace said they removed speaker without the presence of the mace.
“The mace was taken away so any activity done without the mace is illegal. So, my boss still remains the Speaker,” he said.
