Members of the Delta State House of Assembly on Thursday impeached the Speaker of the House, Chief Monday Igbuya, over alleged financial misappropriation and highhandedness. The impeached Speaker was also suspended for three months by the lawmakers.

Sources in the Assembly said Igbuya was impeached because of his support for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s second term bid. Many lawmakers, according to the sources, are uncomfortable with the Speaker’s open campaign for Okowa. “Such open campaign portrays the legislature as not independent,” they added.

Igbuya has since been replaced by a member of the House from Okpe Constituency, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.

However a source close to drum newsonline said that the action may have the imprimatur of a former governor of the State who recently came back from serving a prison term in London. The source further alleged that the politician wields a lot of political influence in the State and might decide whether the current governor, Okowa, goes for a second term.

However, no official from the governor’s political camp was able to confirm or deny the alleged linkage of the former governor.

Meanwhile, the new Speaker  Mr Sheriff Oborevwori promised to adhere to the rules of House, saying that though he had become the first among equals, he would accord every member his due respect. Mr Monday Igbuya’s removal at plenary presided by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Friday Asanebi, was predicated on allegations of incompetence and unacceptable leadership style by the lawmakers. Igbuya, who represents Sapele constituency, was replaced by Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, of Okpe constituency, who was immediately elected by the members. Motion for the impeachment of the speaker was unanimously adopted by all 22 members present at plenary after it was moved by Mr Johnson Erijo (Isoko South II) and seconded by Peter Onwusanya (Oshimili South).

The remaining seven members, including the impeached Speaker, of the 29-member assembly, were absent at the proceedings.

With reports from Vanguard