The dust raised following last week’s impeachment of Delta state house of Assembly speaker, Mr. Monday Igbuya, may have settled down with the state Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Kingsley Esiso throwing his weight behind the impeachment of the former speaker even as he described the action as perfect and in order according to House of Assembly rules.
The party chairman said the party recognised, Mr. Sheriff Oborivwori as the new Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, asserting that the party cannot and will not interfere in the internal affairs of the legislative arm of government relating to issues of impeachment of its speaker but has absolute powers to decide on who becomes the leader of the state house of Assembly.
Esiso who made this known Friday at the state party secretariat, Asaba, while playing host to the Executive Assistant, Communication to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Mr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, said to the best of his knowledge as state party chairman of PDP in Delta, Mr. Sheriff Oborivwori is the new Speaker of Delta state house of assembly.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborivwori is the new Speaker of Delta state house of assembly to the best of my knowledge as state party chairman of PDP in Delta. There is no controversy at all. Rt Hon. Igbuya will return to the House as a member after serving his suspension order. The party is in charge of House leadership slots and I will make the decision of the party known next week.
“The new speaker is a devoted and reliable financial member of our great party. The House members decided to make him their Speaker and so be it. I have no doubts in my mind that Rt Hon Sheriff Oborivwori will do well, if not better, as the head of the legislative arm of government in Delta State. I see his choice as a square peg in a square hole because he has been a team player, honest gentleman, easily accessible, a great philanthropist, detribalised politician and a highly respected member of our party.” Esiso stated.
The PDP chairman however noted that those dragging governor Okowa into the affairs of the state Assembly were frustrated mischief makers either sponsored by the opposition, APC or by the moribund Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP, asserting that impeachment or change of leadership in Houses of Assembly in Nigeria and elsewhere in a democratic society remains the internal affairs of the legislative arm of governments, not subject to external influence or control.
Meanwhile sacked Delta speaker, Mr. Monday Igbuya, was said to have evacuated all his personal belongings from the office of the speaker.
According to sources, some boys loyal to the embattled Igbuya were sighted Friday at the state Assembly complex with two hilux vans evacuating personal belongings of the impeached speaker.
