REVEALED: THE POWER PLAY, INTRIGUES THAT LED TO IMPEACHMENT OF IMO SPEAKER, CHIJI COLLINS

A combination of several seen and unseen forces and factors contributed immensely to the last Friday impeachment of the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chiji Collins, representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency.

Investigation by the The Authority newspaper in Owerri revealed that the embattled immediate past Speaker, Collins was caught in the web of a fierce political face off between Governor Hope Uzodinma, former Governor Rochas Okorocha, and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.

Recalled that the trio political strange bed fellows strategically teamed up and ousted Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, the 2019 PDP Governorship candidate and the INEC declared winner of the gubernatorial election using the Supreme Court, however in confirmation with natural injustice, the three political war Lord’s fall apart barely few weeks after Uzodinma’s inauguration as governor and his decision to go solo in running the state.

Uzodinma’s alignment with Minister of State, Education, Hon Emeka Nwajiuba, had further ruffled the Okorocha/Araraume political camp.

More so,the deepening crisis in the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Imo State, which reinforced the rivalry between Governor Uzodinma, Okorocha and Araraume, is another unseen factor which contributed to the Speaker ordeal.

With fresh threats by sacked local government chairmen and Councillors loyal to Okorocha to take over the local government councils on November 30, following favourable judgement from Federal High Court, the next target in the perceived suicide political game plan of anti Uzodinma forces, was to sway members of the House of Assembly to dump the APC for the PDP and possibly prepare grounds for the impeachment of Governor Uzodimma.

Already, early last week, playing the political John the Baptist, Hon Paschal Okolie, member representing Orlu State Constituency had decamped to the PDP from the APC fueling signs that more lawmakers were on their way out of the ruling party in line with the plot. The Authority Newspaper authoritatively have it that 9 other of the APC State law makers have advanced plans to dump their broom and hold firm to umbrella.

It’s pertinent to remember that prior to the 2019 election, Collins was a strong political ally of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and was elected to the Imo State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA of which the Distinguished Senator was the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer.

As one of the conditions for his emergence as Speaker of the House when Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP was elected Governor of the State was to dump APGA and embraced PDP and when Ihedioha was removed by the Supreme Court and replaced by Senator Hope Uzodinma, Collins again switched allegiance to the APC Governor by carpet crossing to APC and he retained his Speakership under gentle men agreement.

Thus within a year and five months, the ex Speaker, in line with changing and emerging dynamics in the House of Assembly, and in a bid to keep his job, defected from APGA to PDP and lately to the APC, amidst controversy over his certificate which seems to have been swept under the carpet.

However, The Authority learnt that the events which led to his impeachment were linked to suspicions of political romance with his erstwhile political godfather, Araraume which the Uzodinma camp no longer felt comfortable with his perceived overbearing political ambition.

Those close to the then Speaker say allegations of his divided loyalty remain a farce in Government circle and the state government was seriously worried. He was however caught off guard last Friday when 19 of the 27 members of the House voted for his impeachment as Speaker during plenary session at the Assembly complex.

Allegations of gross misconduct and financial impropriety, parliamentary ineptitude were leveled against him. His alleged divided loyalty were never raised even though in government circle that seems to be the issue of the moment.

Motion for his impeachment was swiftly moved by Ekene Nnodumele (APC-Orsu), seconded by Micheal Njoku (APC Ihitte Uboma) and the pre-planned deed was done. Unfortunately till date no body or group has shown interest against his impeachment not even from his constituency or constituents as he was equally accused of “eating” alone.

Paul Emeziem, member representing Onuimo State Constituency was quickly elected new Speaker of the House and immediately taken to Government House where a party was hosted on his behalf and for the emergence.