The embattled Speaker of the Bayelsa Assembly, Emmanuel Isenah, has been impeached and replaced with a lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 2, Monday Obolo.
A media Aide to Isenah, Ranami Afagha, said the impeachment of his boss would not stand as it was done against the standing rules of the House.
Afagha said the mace of the House was violently taken away by thugs, adding that since the symbol of authority was not in the House, activities of those who purportedly removed his boss were 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.
But Isenah himself has dismissed the report of his impeachment.
He insisted that he remains the Speaker of the assembly on Monday, in Yenagoa.
The plenary on Monday witnessed gunshots at the Bayelsa House of Assembly by some youths that stormed the Assembly complex in Yenagoa.
Isenah, however, adjourned the session indefinitely for the House to proceed on recess.
The members who stayed back reportedly resumed sitting and allegedly impeached the Speaker in absentia and without the mace.
A lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there was tension around the Assembly complex in the build-up to the sitting, where the Speaker was expected to resign on Monday.
The assemblyman also said that the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party had advised Isenah to resign.
But Isenah insisted that his resignation was premature and could only happen after the election.
”I did not resign, neither was I impeached.
“I presided over the House and I did not preside as an impeached Speaker; so, as we speak, the House is on recess and anything done by anyone is a nullity.
“The speculation that there was an understanding that I will resign is false.
“I challenge anyone canvassing that position to come up with a proof,” Isenah said on the telephone.
Report by NAN