Deputy Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Barrister Odefa Obasi Odefa
Confusion as Ebonyi Assembly declares Deputy Speaker’s seat vacant
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Ebonyi State House of Assembly was on Monday thrown into confusion following declaration of the Onicha East State Constituency Seat occupied by the Deputy Speaker, Odefa Obasi Odefa, vacant.
This followed a resignation letter purportedly written by Hon. Odefa and forwarded to the Speaker, notifying the House of his resignation.
The letter was read by the Speaker, Hon Francis Nwifuru, during plenary on Monday, after which Mr Speaker declared his seat vacant.
The plenary was attended by only 15 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress, with 9 PDP lawmakers absent.
Mr Nwifuru also read two other letters purportedly written by Hon Oliver Osi representing Ivo State Constituency and Hon Lilian Ezilo representing Afikpo North East State Constituency, notifying the House of their defection from the PDP to the APC.
But Mr Osi in a chat with Journalists said, he never authored any letter and was planning to do so.
Following the declaration of Mr Odefa’s seat vacant, the 15 APC lawmakers, elected the member representing Afikpo North West constituency, Hon Kingsley Ikoro as the new Deputy Speaker.
The motion for Ikoro’s election was moved by the member representing Ohaozara West constituency, Hon Onu Nwoye and seconded by Hon Anthony Nwegede of Izzi East constituency.
The member representing Ohaozara West constituency, Hon Onu Nwonye was named the deputy leader following a letter from the leadership of the APC in the State.
Odefa had on Saturday reaffirmed his membership of the PDP in a press briefing he held in his Abakaliki residence, saying the clarification was became necessary following speculations surrounding the political party he belongs after Governor Umahi defected to the APC.
Reacting, Mr Odefa,who was flanked by some of his colleagues of the PDP at his Abakaliki residence, said he did not author any letter of resignation as a member of the state House of Assembly, saying it was fabrication by people desperate for power.
He vowed to sue the Speaker for what he described as forgery.
Odeda maintained that he is still the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly describing his removal as waste of time, null and void.
Odefa further alleged threats to his life, his family members and political associates by agents of Ebonyi State government.
