Bayelsa State Deputy Governor impeached

By Eromo Egbejule, Nigeria

Nigeria (Jun 25) – The deputy governor of Bayelsa, the home state of Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, Peremobowei Ebebi was yesterday impeached by the state’s House of Assembly.

It was one of the many situations resulting from the lingering political crisis in the state which is is linked to the coming elections in 2011 and not likely to end with the present turn of events. The deputy governor’s camp have vowed to fight what they have described as ‘a travesty of justice’ in the law courts.

A case by Mr Ebebi against the impeachment process was already pending at an
Abuja court even before he was removed.

At Thursday sitting of the House, the Speaker, Werinipre Seibarugu announced that the Investigative Panel set up by the Bayelsa Chief Judge, Kate Abiri had submitted its report to the House. Jonathan Obuebite, representing Nembe constituency I, subsequently moved for the adoption of the report of the Panel. In his motion, Mr Obuebite told the House that “it is no longer a story but truism that on the 1st of June 2010, 17 members of the Assembly had signed and serve the state Deputy Governor, Peremobowei Ebebi an impeachment notice.” He pointed out that the notice followed allegations of gross misconduct against Mr Ebebi, stressing that the House subsequently directed the state’s Chief Judge to set up a panel to investigate the allegations.

Mr Obuebite called on members of the House to adopt the report of the panel as a resolution of the House, saying that the panel had done a thorough job. “I hereby move for the adoption of the report of the Panel which had found the deputy governor guilty of gross misconduct in the allegations against him”, he said.

All the 18 members at the sitting, including the Speaker, voted by raising their hands to approve the adoption of the document which finally sacked Mr Ebebi from office. Incidentally, Mr Ebebi, who was Speaker in 2005, led the process that led to the impeachment of a former governor of the state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

The 24-member Assembly had been divided since the House commenced the impeachment process against Mr Ebebi, as many members who claimed loyalty to the deputy governor distanced themselves from the proceedings of the House.An aide of the state governor, Timpreye Sylva, said his boss had not conspired with the state assembly in any way to remove Mr Ebebi.

He did confirm reports that the speaker of the assembly, Mr Seibarugu, is billed to become the next deputy governor.

Events are still unfolding.

Posted by Egbejule Eromo on June 25, 2010. Filed under Africa Regional News,International News,International Politics,News - Africa,Nigeria,Politics - Africa,Western Africa,World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.