There are strong indications that the Deputy Governor position in Rochas Okorocha’s government is already up for grabs just as a Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has condemned in strong terms impeachment moves against the number two citizen of the State.
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Newspaper reports in Owerri were awash with reports that some top government functionaries in Okorocha’s government are already eying the position in the event the Imo State House of Assembly proceed with impeachment plans on the number two citizen of the State.
The lawmakers had deliberated on the allegations with the Speaker of the House, Acho Ihim directing the State Chief Judge to constitute a seven man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Madumere.
Ihedioha in statement described the impeachment plans against Madumere as a potent danger to democracy.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, Ihedioha fumed at the plans stating that Madumere’s offence “is his legitimate aspiration to run for the highest political office in the State, contrary to Governor Rocahs Okorocha’s preference of his in law, Mr. Uche Nwosu.
“This unfortunate development is particularly alarming and indeed worrisome to all advocates and defenders of democracy and rule of law in Imo and the nation at large.
“It is therefore incontrovertible that this move, being undertaken by Governor Okorocha and Imo House of Assembly is a colossal assault on all known democratic tenets, including freedom of choice, freedom of association and the right of an individual to aspire to any political position in the land. The present, unfathomable and inherent danger lies in the manner Governor Okorocha is wheedling the state lawmakers to plunder the mandate of the people on flimsy, narrow-minded and self-centered basis, contrary to the prescriptions of the relevant sections of the Constitution
He continued “The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, guarantees every citizen, the right to aspire to any position or office, as long as the aspirant meets the relevant requirements. Section 143 of the constitution provides that the Governor or his Deputy can only be removed from office by the House of Assembly if any of them is proven to have engaged in “gross misconduct.” The compelling question is whether aspiration to political office amounts to gross misconduct? It is unfortunate that Prince Eze Madumere is a victim of his own political ambition in a constitutional democracy.
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He expressed worry that Imo State is about to have a third Deputy Governor in the life of the present administration which is a clear intolerance to alternative political stance and viewpoint.
“Regrettably, this episode is coming at a time, one would have thought that Governor Rochas Okorocha would, at the twilight of his failed administration, be pre-occupied more on how to salvage the near ruinous state he is set to leave behind without any legacy to show than to be engaging in duel against perceived political enemies.
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Ihedioha recalled that the travails of Madumere is almost the same manner Chief Jude Agbaso was impeached by the State House of Assembly, urging the Governor to stop this open display of gross abuse of power and treatment of Imolites as conquered people who must be humiliated and subjugated.
“This is manifest in the planned impeachment of Prince Madumere, which in all intents and purposes is irresponsible, undemocratic, illegitimate, irrational, egocentric and therefore should be reconsidered forthwith in the best interest of the state and sustenance of democracy” the statement stated