Of a truth, destiny can only be delayed, but one thing is that it cannot be denied.
Notably, Imo State is made up of 27 local government areas with 3 Senatorial Zones namely: Orlu Zone, Owerri Zone and Okigwe Zone.
In order to balance the power formula, position is shared among these three zones.
Truth be told, the sharing formula in Imo State has never been balanced when it comes to power sharing.
Thus, on the 8th of November, 2021, exactly 9:30 am, the same day, history was made as the member representing Onuimo State Constituency, Rt Hon Paul Emeziem, was unceremoniously removed as the Speaker of the House and was immediately replaced by a member who suffered humiliation and relegation at the Assembly in the hands of some certain powers beyond his control and imagination.
The Man of the Moment in reference is Barrister Kennedy Ibeh who represents the good people of Obowo State Constituency whom destined remembered as the Speaker of the 9th Imo Assembly.
When the news broke out, it seemed untrue, calls were flying in and out, “are you sure of this information you posted, hope you are not joking with us, if it is true this particular House has been turned into a drama House. In one administration three speakers, nawaoooo and the phones dropped”.
Yes. On that faithful day, the absence of Rt Hon Paul Emeziem and the positions of Rt Hon Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu were in contention. At this point, Members present at the House quickly elected Rt Hon Uju Onwudiwe, Member representing Njaba State Constituency as Speaker, who presided over the plenary in the interim.
Suddenly, the issue of Rt Hon Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu came up and it turned out to be a wonder as Members present at the plenary revealed that they were not aware of the alleged impeachment of the Deputy Speaker and the 18 Signatories that signed the purported resolution for the removal of the Deputy Speaker was discovered never to have existed.
The Clerk of the Assembly, Barrister Mrs. Chinelo Emeghara, was asked if there was a record showing that Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu was removed as Deputy Speaker and her answer turned out to be negative.
Thereafter, with a voice vote, the House resolved that Rt Hon Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu was never duly impeached as Deputy Speaker of the 9th Assembly.
The Acting Speaker as of that time, Rt Honourable Uju Onwudiwe, then put it to vote, for Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu, to return to his position as the Deputy Speaker of the House and majority voted for his reinstatement and was allowed to preside over the seating hence a vacuum was created by the Speaker’s absence at the plenary.
As a result of the vacuum created, investigations revealed that, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, of Oru East State Constituency, moved a motion nominating Bar Kennedy Ibeh to be the new Speaker while Hon Frank Ugboma, of Oguta State Constituency, Seconded it.
With the nomination and secondment of Bar Kennedy Ibeh to be the Speaker, Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu put it to vote and the 19 out of the 27 Members voted for the adoption of Bar Kennedy Ibeh as the new Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly. That was the physical manifestation of how Ibeh became the Speaker.
All this happened to fullfil a prophecy that was said over his head months back. The moment that prophecy came, many doubted it because after the prophecy a lot began to happen in his life, just like Joseph who was hated and betrayed by his beloved brothers and later God turned his situation around as he became a Prime Minister in Egypt- a journey that started with rough circumstances- but ended gloriously- Barr Kennedy Ibeh was similar as he was suspended alongside five others over what the House tagged as un- pelimentary conduct.
But today a suspended Member is the Speaker of the House, all glory to his Maker.
At this juncture, Mr Speaker and my representative, Barr Kennedy Ibeh, be reminded that this current House- to many- has turned out to be a laughing stock as a result of what transpired from the House not because of any other reason, but leadership lacuna and that has made the expectations of the people on you high- to see you change the ugly narratives which the House was ridden with.
My writing today, is not for any other reason, but to remind and charge you that, we the Obowo people and Imo citizens at large are expecting new things to begin to happen, hence you are matured and ripe for the position.
Let me inform you that God delayed you from becoming the Speaker when you longed for it just to teach you and prepare you for the position.
I believe that you have learnt the pitfalls of other former Speakers. Please, do not disappoint us, but rather impress us and make us proud just like our brother, the former Governor, Dee Sam Mbakwe did.
As for the grace to work, God has already released it upon you. Go and succeed and never be a disappointment to us. We are always behind you as you lead the House to make legislation that will favor the people and not dance to the tune of the executive. Good luck.
