ON Wednesday, May 22, members of the Cross River State House of Assembly impeached their speaker, Elvert Anyambem, over several infractions, including gross financial misconduct and noncompliance with the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Laws of 2021.
The ICIR reported that, in a plenary session, two-thirds of the assembly members had passed a vote of no confidence on the speaker claiming that he misappropriated N48 million intended for payment of electricity bills for the assembly complex and quarters.
Anyambem was also accused of embezzling over N19 million from local government deductions and N404 million generated by the state’s Inland Revenue Service (IRS) for oversight functions by the House. However, the embattled speaker denounced the impeachment.
Findings by The ICIR from various media reports showed that Cross River is among the long list of 23 states where speakers of assemblies have been impeached since the return to democracy in 1999.
Impeachment galore
Ogun : Following a mild drama in the Ogun state assembly, 18 out of 26 members impeached the speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, over gross misconduct and financial misappropriation of funds among others. The ICIR had reported that the impeached speaker was arraigned on 11 counts of conspiracy, forgery, stealing and money laundering preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in September 2022.
Zamfara: In February, Bilyaminu Moriki, the speaker of the Zamfara State assembly was impeached following a vote of no confidence by 18 out of 24 members . The impeachment was hinged on the security challenges affecting the state without any effort by the House to stop the menace.
Rivers : In the heat of the crises between the governor of River State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, eight members of the state assembly impeached the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, and his deputy, Dumle Maol. The speaker was replaced by Edison Ehie, formerly sacked as leader of the house. The ICIR reported how a court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, affirmed the impeachment in December 2023.
Plateau: In October 2021, 16 out of 24 members of the Plateau State House of Assembly passed a vote of no confidence on its speaker, Abok Ayuba, after a prolonged rivalry between the lawmaker and the former governor, Simon Lalong. The lawmakers immediately elected Sanda Yakubu, as his replacement,
Niger : The ICIR reported that the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Adamu Usman, was impeached by 18 out of 27 members in May 2015. Isa Kawu replaced him. Aliyu was accused of withholding statutory allocation to the assembly for months, payment of half salaries, and non-implementation of resolutions passed by the House, among other issues.
Edo: Two impeachments have been reported in Edo state. The first, was in 2016, when Victor Edoro was ousted by 16 of the 24 members of the assembly for alleged high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies and financial recklessness. He was replaced by Elizabeth Ativie, who became the assembly’s first female speaker.
Also, in October 2020, the assembly impeached its speaker Frank Okiye and elected Marcus Onobun as his replacement.
Delta : Monday Igbuya was impeached as the Delta State speaker in May 2017 following a vote of no confidence passed by the 22 lawmakers. Sheriff Oborevwori replaced him.
Ekiti : Like Edo, two speakers have also been stripped of their sests in Ekiti stste. In 2022, 17 out of 25 members of the assembly signed the impeachment of Gboyega Aribisogan, as the speaker of the house.
Also, in October 2018, Kola Oluwawole and his deputy, Sina Animaun, were ousted through an impeachment that was carried out t by 14 members of the House.
Imo: Nineteen out of 27 members of the Imo state assembly impeached the speaker, Paul Emeziem in 2021. He was replaced by Kennedy Ibeh.
Katsina: In 2017, the Katsina State House of Assembly impeached its speaker, Aliyu Sabiu Muduru. Twenty three out of 34 members endorsed a vote of no confidence before his impeachment was announced.
Gombe : The Gombe State House of Assembly, in November 2020, impeached its speaker, Abubakar Ibrahim, while Abubakar Luggerewo emerged as the new speaker. The former speaker was removed following a voice vote by 16 of the 24 members of the house.
Benue : In 2018, the Benue State House of Assembly elected Titus Uba as its new speaker. This followed the vote of no confidence passed on the immediate past leadership that was accused of high-handedness and other sundry offences.
Ebonyi: In July 2014, Chukwuma Nwazunku, was impeached as the speaker of the Ebonyi state assembly by over two-thirds majority of the members on grounds of incompetence, gross misconduct, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds as well as conduct likely to cause breach of the Nigerian constitution.
Anambra: The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rita Maduagwu was impeached in November 2018. He was removed by 22 out of 30 members of the state assembly.
Borno: In February 2012, the Borno State House of Assembly impeached its speaker, Goni Ali Modu, for allegedly being submissive to the state government. The speaker was sacked by a vote of no confidence and was replaced by, Abdulkareem Lawan Adam.
Ondo : The Ondo state assembly impeached speaker Bamidele Oloyelogun, in November 2018, alongside his deputy, Oladeji Iroju, by 18 out of 26 members of the House, on grounds of gross misconduct.
Jigawa: In January 2017, the Jigawa State House of Assembly impeached its Speaker, Idris Garba, over allegations bordering on high-handedness and abuse of power. The impeachment notice was signed by 25 of the 30 assembly members.
Two years later, in May 2019, the lawmakers removed Isa Idris and re-elected Idris Garba back as the speaker.
Taraba : In 2013, the Taraba State House of Assembly members reportedly impeached the speaker, Istifanus Gbana, by 17 out of 24 members. Gbana was replaced by Haruna Tsokwa who later died in questionable circumstances. Another speaker, Josiah Sabo Kente, was ‘forced’ to resign in 2014.
Kano: In December 2011, the Kano State House of Assembly impeached its speaker, Yusuf Falgore, and elected Gambo Sallau to replace him. Also, Abdullahi Atta was impeached in July 2018. About 27 lawmakers signed the impeachment notice accusing the speaker of incompetence, corruption, and failure to carry other members of the Assembly along.
Kebbi: In 2015, the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hassan Shalla, was impeached by 12 out of 24 members for alleged breach of trust and embezzlement of allowances of his colleagues. Also, in 2021, the assembly impeached its speaker, Isma’il Kamb, and his deputy, Muhammadu Aliyu, after 20 out of the 24 members endorsed it.
Bayelsa : The ICIR reported how the speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Emmanuel Tonye Isenah, was in September 2019 following a series of gunshots in the Assembly complex.
Abia: In May 2023, the speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji, was impeached after 18 of the 24 members signed for his removal.
Kehinde Ogunyale tells stories by using data to hold power into account. You can send him a mail at jameskennyogunyale@gmail or Twitter: Prof_KennyJames | LinkedIn: Kehinde Ogunyale