Tension in A’Ibom as Seats of Four State Lawmakers are Declared Vacant
Tension has risen in the Akwa Ibom State as the seats of four lawmakers in the state House of Assembly have been declared vacant.
THISDAY gathered that the official quarters and residences of the affected lawmakers were yesterday jam-packed as hundreds of their supporters trooped in to confirm the development.
The Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Sam Ikon, had on Tuesday declared four state constituencies’ seats vacant due to the defection of members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to other political parties.
The state constituencies affected included: Mbo represented by Mrs. Alice Ekpenyong, who was the Chief Whip, Uruefong, Uruko represented by Mr. Bassey Etienam, Ini state constituency represented by Mr. Paul Owo and Uruan state constituency with Mr. Kufre Etuk as the representative.
“In view of the defection of some members from the political party that elected them to the Akwa Ibom of House of Assembly, I hereby declare the following seats vacant: Mbo state constituency, Uruefong Uruko, Ini and Uruan state constituencies,” Ikon said, and immediately announced Mr. Aniekan Akpan, (PDP) Ukanafun state constituency as Chief Whip and Mr. Efefiong Atigha, Oron as Deputy Chief Whip.
Speaking with journalists, one of the affected lawmakers, Etuk said it was unconstitutional for the Speaker to take such action as the matter was before the court.
Etuks, who represents the people of Uran state constituency said: “The Speaker knows the case is in court. That he has decided to entertain the matter that is in court when he knows the implication, is a complete illegality and it shows impunity in the system.”
According to him, the affected members still remain members of the assembly pending the determination of the case in the court, pointing out that the crowd at his Ewet Housing residence in Uyo, the state capital, came to seek his advice.
By implication, he said the state no longer has state House of Assembly since the remaining members fall short of the required number to constitute a state of assembly by the Nigerian constitution.