From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Hon. Elvert Ayambem has made a dramatic return to his position following his removal.
Seventeen lawmakers of the state assembly has last week removed the speaker over a number of allegations including alleged corruption, high-handedness and incompetence.
The lawmakers however failed to elect a successor to Ayambem as the mace was carted away and security officials cordoned off the complex.
However in a major twist the twenty five members of the house have collectively resolved to reinstate the embattled speaker.
This follows a meeting with the state governor Senator Bassey Otu.
In a statement made available by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Nsa Gill, he said “All twenty-five members of the Cross River State House of Assembly had a closed-
door meeting with the state Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, on Sunday night and
agreed to restore normalcy and maintain the status quo with Hon. Elvert Ayambem remaining as their speaker.
“Governor Otu, who presided over an interactive session with the legislative
members and other stakeholders, restated his commitment to constitutional
democracy, Separation of Powers and the rule of law, where due process should
be the order of the day.
“He called for a truce between the aggrieved members and the Speaker while
urging the Speaker to understand that he is a first among equals and that members
have rights and benefits, which the Speaker’s office should not deny them”, the governor said.
Responding to his reinstatement, Hon. Ayambem commended Governor Otu for showing extraordinary leadership
during challenging times.
The speaker whose message was signed by his Press Secretary Mathew Okache emphasized the shared responsibility to collaborate for the advancement of the State.
He pledged to lead with integrity, decency, and a focus on the welfareof all.