Newspaper Review: Gale Of Impeachments Greets Defection Moves As Tsunami Hits Three States

• Saraki’s Men Are Out In Kwara

The re-aligment of forces ahead of the 2019 Presidential Elections took another twist yesterday as the tsunami of impeachments rained in three Northern States.

Notably, all Nigerian Newspapers on Tuesday make their several reports of the developments thier Frontpage Headlines. On Review here is the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE, PUNCH, VANGUARD, SUN, THE NATION, GUARDIAN NEW TELEGRAPH and DAILY INDEPENDENT.

First in the day was the rumble in the Benue State House of Assembly where 8 members allegedly protected by armed to teeth security operatives issued a notice of impeachment on Governor Samuel Ortom. In another twist, 22 other members who impeached the former Speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange sat and described the impeachment notice and sitting as illegal.

The development has since been generating reactions and counter reactions. This morning, the Presidency through Femi Adesina, President’s Buhari’s spokesperson denied the alleged involvement of his principal in the matter.

Few hours, new filtered in that the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Atta, had been impeached. Reports say about 27 lawmakers on Monday morning signed the impeachment notice which was served to the Speaker upon his arrival at the House.

The former Speaker is being accused of incompetence, corruption, and failure to carry other members of the Assembly along while a new Speaker, Alhassan Rurum, was been sworn in.

Later in the day, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere was removed from his imposition. Governor Rochas Okorocha immediately nominated the head of service, Callistus Ekenze, as his new deputy.

The majority leader of the House, Lugard Osuji, who moved the motion for Madumere’s impeachment, confirmed the development on Monday evening.

The majority leader said, “The House has received a nomination letter from the governor for the replacement of the impeached deputy governor. “The head of service, Callistus Ekenze, was nominated by the governor. “His nomination has been cleared by the House unanimously. We are only waiting for his swearing-in ceremony.”

As the storm of impeachments continue, the politics of re-alignment continued yesterday as the Kwara state Executives of the All Progressives Congress APC were dissolved. The National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and the Secretary, Mai Mala-Buni confirmed the development in a statement.

The statement said after the decision was reached by the National Working Committee at the end of its weekly meeting in Abuja, the party’s leadership announced Hon Bashir Bolarinwa as chairman of the caretaker committee.

In the statement, the party said, “the NWC at its meeting of 30th, July 2018, examined the unfolding developments within the party in Kwara state, specifically the irregularities that characterized the conduct and outcome of the congresses that produced the leadership of the party at all levels (ward, Local Government and state).

“The NWC after a careful and exhaustive deliberation on this and other developments in the state chapter of the party, and pursuant to the provisions of article 13.4 (xvi) and (xvii) of the party’s constitution, invoked its powers as enshrined therein and hereby resolve to dissolve all party organs from ward, Local Government and state executive of the party in Kwara.

It is however unclear what will characterize the next turn of events in Nigeria’s Political scene as preparations for politicking in 2019 continues to gather momentum.