How trusted allies reportedly revolted against Abia Speaker, Orji

Following the removal of the Abia State House of Assembly Speaker, Chinedum Orji, on Tuesday, it has emerged that his trusted allies participated in the plot to sack him.

The Speaker, popularly known as Ikukuoma (Goodwind), was impeached by a section of members who accused him of not carrying them along in the affairs of the House.

However, Orji staged a surprise by quickly storming the House complex to sit as the Speaker.

The House, presided over by Orji, immediately announced the suspension of nine members suspected of having participated in the coup against him.

Among those suspended was the Deputy Speaker, Ifeanyi Uchendu, who his kinsman, Mandela Obasi, immediately replaced.

A breakdown of the suspended members shows that most of those sent away were key loyalists or trusted friends of the Speaker.

Among them are the suspended Deputy Speaker, Ifeanyi Uchendu, who, until now, was very close to the Speaker after his defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Others were Aaron Uzodike, Aba North; Kennedy Njoku, Osisioma North; who were said to have climbed to their political relevance through the aid of the Speaker.

A source in the House of Assembly told newsmen that the Speaker was shocked to understand that his trusted friends and political confidants could spring a coup against him three weeks to the end of the present House.

Meanwhile, the suspended former Deputy Speaker, Ifeanyi Uchendu, described his removal and suspension as a mere jamboree, saying it would not stop.

Uchendu, who maintained that he remained the Deputy Speaker during a press conference, said his purported removal did not follow Section 92 of the constitution.

He further insisted that the Speaker had been impeached and therefore lacked the power to suspend him.