By Uzoma Akobundu
Imo State House of Assembly has apologised to the former deputy governor Eze Madumere over the manner the members unlawfully impeached him despite court orders against their action.
At the valedictory session on Tuesday, June 11, the 8th Imo House of Assembly led by Chinedu Offer, regretted ever participating in the unlawful impeachment of Madumere, even when the Imo High Court declared it as illegal, null, void and of no effect.
Offor tendered his unreserved apologies on behalf of the members to Madumere.
Offor’s led Assembly has been over turning virtually most of immediate past Governor Rochas Okorocha’s injustices.
During a valedictory session, Offor brought up Madumere’s purported failed impeachment saga as one of the fundamental mistakes of the 8th Assembly and apologised accordingly.
Mr. Speaker was supported by the member representing Mbaitolu state constituency, Ifeanyi Nnataraonye who while speaking, showered encomium on Madumere for his role in ensuring that the state was not turned to a Banana Republic and eulogised the former deputy governor for leading the fight against impunity not minding his position.
Others who spoke in support of Imo Assembly’s condemnation of unlawful actions were, Mike Iheanaetu of Aboh Mbaise, Chika Madumere of Nkwerre Constituency, and Marcel Odunze of Orlu Constituency.
The House also commended Madumere for his rare comportment even in the face of extreme provocation and the manner he went about the issue of clearing his name over the false allegations leveled against him.
It will be recalled that Okorocha, in a bid to punish Madumere for refusing to work with him on his son-in-law’s project and for standing against inequity, injustice, anti-people policies and impunity in contradistinction with his agenda, had sponsored an impeachment move against his deputy at the floor of the House of Assembly.
It was alleged that those who participated were promised N30 million each. Those who rejected Okorocha’s onslaught against Madumere were suspended by the Speaker, Acho Ihim.
Among the five legislators who were affected were Chiiji Collins, Israel Nnataraoye, Nkenna Nzerue, Uche Oguwuike and Donatus Onuigwe.
On September 25, 2018, Imo High Court superintended by Justice Benjamin Iheka, in a historic ruling had declared the purported impeachment as null, void and of no effect, saying that the said impeachment lacked due process and was illegal.
Predictably, Okorocha in his bravado and signature style of leadership by impunity procured a deputy governor-designate who was never sworn-in due to the illegality of the appointment.
The preceding action was the cautioning of Okorocha by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Paschal Nnadi during the law week, warning Okorocha to desist from the shameful act of recognising one Calistus Ekenze. The chief judge stated that it was rather putting the state in a bad light.
Recently as Imo Assembly exorcised itself of bad eggs, creating room for emergence of Offor as Speaker, the House of Assembly has witnessed a turn around and total condemnation of Okorocha’s impunity with series of legislative repeals and revocation of Okorocha’s actions and calling for his probe which has, to a very large extent, restored the respect for Imo legislative arm.
In response,Madumere commended Imo Assembly for retracing it’s step from aiding Okorocha’s impunity and onslaught against him.
“What can I say other than to bless them. In every civilised society that is what happens and I am happy for their courage to apologise. I believe in forgiveness and I had already forgiven all despite the weightiness of wrongful allegations against my person. I am a Christian and I must follow the path of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Madumere said in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Uche Onwuchekwa.
Madumere however admonished those who will be in the 9th Assembly to be courageous enough to work for the state according to the dictates of its constitutional duties and to ensure there is synergy hinged on common good for the good of Imo people.