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Fresh Legal Battle in Cross River Over Assembly Speakership: Joseph Odey Heads to Court





On  May 22, 2024 commotion stuck at the Cross River State House of Assembly in Calabar, when a motion for the removal of the Speaker of the House Honorable Alvert Ayambem, was moved by Honorable Effiong Ekarika representing Calabar -south-1 state constituency, and was seconded by Honorable Charles Omang representing Bekwarra State Constituency.


The motion was later affirmed and supported by 17 out of the 25 Members of the state House of Assembly, thus declaring the Speaker Alvert Ayambem removed as Speaker of the Assembly, following allegations of misconduct, financial mismanagement and incompetence.



However, on May 25, 2024, Governor Bassey Otu convened a meeting with all 25 House members on the matter, perhaps with a view to resolving the crisis, few days later, on May 27, 2024, media aid to the Speaker Matthew Okache, issued a statement, confirming that the Speaker Honorable Alvert Ayambem has been reaffirmed by all 25 law makers:



The statement reads in parts: “Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has been unanimously reaffirmed as Speaker of the tenth Assembly of Cross River State. The reaffirmation of Ayambem followed a rapprochement brokered by the state

governor, Senator Bassey Otu and critical stakeholders with the 25-member

Assembly in Calabar yesterday. Ayambem expressed his appreciation to the governor and the concerned stakeholders for showing extraordinary leadership during challenging times.”


Meanwhile, the  above decision has since generated reactions from the public, the latest of which is a Court order  obtained by Mr. Joseph Odey, Director General of Youth Action Network (YAN), and an All Progressive Congress (APC) member in Cross River State, seeking to restrain Honorable Alvert Ayambem from being recognized as Speaker of the 10th Assembly of Cross River State. 


Odey is also seeking in Suit number HC/166/2024 between Joseph Odey and The Governor of Cross River State, Attorney general of the state, Clark of the House and all 25 Members of the house of Assembly, a declaration that the Speaker, remains removed, and should not be recognized as Speaker of the Assembly amongst other prayers.


In his prayers to the court, Mr Joseph Odey is of the opinion that, “Cross River State is at risk of governmental disruption due to the absence of a duly elected Speaker of the House of Assembly. Without a validly elected Speaker, the laws passed by the House are invalid, hindering the Governor’s ability to govern effectively.


“To uphold democratic principles, Cross River State must follow proper procedures in selecting its Speaker in line with the rules laid down by the House of Assembly for itself in 2011. The impeachment of Mr. Elvert Ayambem was lawful, but his continued role as Speaker is not; because he was not re-elected according to the Assembly's rules.Governance requires following laid down rules and processes.”


Mr Odey further buttresses that, “The Speaker cannot be chosen outside the House chamber. After Mr. Elvert’s impeachment, a formal election must take place within the Assembly to determine the new Speaker. To safeguard good governance and democracy, I have brought motions before the Cross River State High Court asking the Court to: 


“Restrain government officials from recognizing Mr. Ayambem as Speaker until this matter is heard and decided by the Court. Restrain Mr. Elvert Ayambem from acting as Speaker until the matter is heard and decided by the Court. A properly functioning legislature is necessary for effective governance and the progress of our state and I believe that the Court, in its wisdom, will ensure that we get a properly functioning House of Assembly once again.”



End.



L-R: Rt. Honorable Alvert Ayambem, Speaker Cross River State House of Assembly and Mr Joseph Odey, DG of Youth Action Network, and APC member in Cross River State.

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