Confusion Over Alleged Resignation Of Ebonyi Deputy Speaker

Fresh controversy erupted in Ebonyi Assembly on Monday when a faction declared the constituency seat of the Deputy Speaker, Odefa Obasi Odefa vacant due to a letter of resignation purportedly written by him.

The House, with only 15 members in attendance, then elected Kingsley Ịkoro(Afikpo North West) as the new Deputy Speaker.

But in a swift reaction, the Deputy Speaker denied writing such a letter maintaining that he remains the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

Odéfa had alleged on Saturday that some of his colleagues were planning to illegally remove him as the speaker of the Assembly due to his refusal to defect to the All Progressive Congress (APC from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

At the plenary on Monday, the Speaker read out a letter of resignation forwarded by the Deputy Speaker to the Assembly.

According to the Speaker, Odefa allegedly wrote in the letter dated 15th December 2021 that he has made up his mind to resign his position as a member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

The Speaker noted the Deputy Speaker, according to the letter, took the decision to enable him move on with other future engagements.

The letter reads in parts: “Letter address to the speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Nkaliki road, office of the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Odefa Obasi, Mr.Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Nkaliki road.

“Sir. Letter of resignation as a member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly. I, Hon.Obasi Odefa Obasi Odefa, representing Onicha East Constituency do hereby resign my seat in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, on this day 15th December 2021 after due consultation with my family, selected stakeholders and my political associates this will give me time to pursue other engagement.

“Mr. Speaker sir, I wish to use this medium to thank you immensely for your kindness to me throughout my stay in this house. I cease today 15th day of November, 2021 to be a member of this House”.

After reading the letter, the Speaker declared his constituency seat and the position of the Deputy Speaker which he occupied vacant.

The House thereafter nominated the Member Representing, Afikpo North West, Kingsley Ikoro as the new Deputy Speaker.

He was sworn-in immediately by Clerk of the House.

The Speaker also read out a letter purportedly by two other Lawmakers, Oliver Osi (Ivo) and Ngọzi Eziulo(Afikpo North East) wherein the duo allegedly said they have resigned their membership of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).

Reacting to the purported resignation letter, the embattled Obasi described the letter as fake insisting that he still remains Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

Odefa, who expressed concerns on the desperation, hooliganism and constitutional bridges by the members of the All Progressives Congress APC in the Assembly, noted it was most unfortunate for members to forge letters and purport that the letters were written by PDP members.

While alleging that he has been receiving serious threats, the Deputy Speaker reaffirmed his position as a member of the PDP.

He said he has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Garba over the threat.

Odefa was flanked by seven lawmakers as he spoke to reporters at his residence in Abakaliki.

Osi, in his reaction, said he and Mrs. Eziulo did not write any letter to the House to resign from the PDP.

He said they are still bona fide members of the PDP and do not have any intention or reason to defect to the APC.

The lawmakers vowed to sue the Assembly and their 15 colleagues for alleged forgery and defamation of their character.