Cross River Speaker Denies Attempt To Impeach Him And Deputy

By CrossRiverWatch admin

The attention of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo has been drawn to media reports alleging a failed impeachment attempt on the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

It should be clearly stated that there was no attempt by the members of the House of Assembly to impeach the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker. The Cross River State House of Assembly, contrary to media speculation, is united under the Leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo and Deputy Rt. Hon Joseph A. Bassey.

Members of the House have at no time been in crisis with the leadership of the House to warrant any impeachment. Therefore, the leadership of the Speaker and Deputy has never been in any doubts.

Can a House of Assembly that has passed 15 bills into Law barely six months of its existence and reputed as one of the best in the country suddenly disintegrate into crisis if not imaginary; who are the signatories to the impeachment and what are the impeachable offences the Speaker or his Deputy are being alleged to have committed; where are the facts justifying the allegations? These are a few questions that beg for answers.

Individual members can express dissatisfaction over certain issues particularly about finances of the House, which is beyond the control of the leadership even though frantic efforts are being made by the leadership of the House to address the situation.

It is baseless for any member to say, according to media reports that the House has not sat since after the governor presented the 2016 Appropriation Bill before the House on the 26th of October, 2015.

Between the 26th of October and now, the House has passed three bills into law. The Equal Opportunities for All Persons bill and the Sustainable Development Goals bill respectively were passed into law precisely on November 10 and 12, 2015.

The Cross River State Revenue Administration bill was also passed into law. Within this period, over four bills have passed first and second readings, oversight functions were carried out and public hearings held. Yet a member of the House was alleged to have said that the House has not sat under the period.

The House has achieved so much under a united roof and cannot afford to enmesh itself in any controversy or crisis when it should be consolidating on its achievements. ‘’Our unity of purpose which is yielding good dividends should not be allowed to rupture, not even financial setbacks should be allowed to break us. Our commitment to our people must remain steadfast and sacrosanct’’.
Signed:

Azogor Ideba
SA Media /Chief Press Secretary to Speaker
For: Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly