Rep Says Ihedioha Will Not Be Removed

January 7, 2014

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The House of Representatives has dispelled rumours that the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha may lose his position following the recent defection of members of the People Democratic Party PDP which now put the ruling party in minority position in the House.

Unlike Speaker of the House, Hon Aminu Tambuwal who had openly associated with the opposition party, the deputy speaker is believed to be a strong loyalist of President Goodluck Jonathan as well as loyal member of the Bamanga Tukur led PDP fuelling rumours that he may be removed.

But Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Victor Ogene who spoke to journalists in Abuja said there was no such plan to remove the deputy speaker who is believe to be very loyal to the leadership of the PDP despite the diminishing status of the ruling party in the green chamber.

Ogene said that both the speaker and the deputy speaker of the house cannot lose their seats even if their party loses majority seats in the house in case of defection. He also added that even if the speakers defected to APC, the deputy speaker can remain in PDP saying “It would not be an unusual scenario as it had happened in the past.” He further argued that: “Resignation, death or impeachment is the only way that a vacancy can occur in the office of the speaker or deputy or indeed, any other principal officer’s position. “However, Order 7 (2) of the House Rules states that while those of the majority leadership come from the party with majority members, the minority parties nominate from among themselves, minority leader, minority whip, deputy minority leader and deputy minority whip. “But for presiding officers like the speaker and deputy, for a vacancy to occur thereof, the person has to resign or be impeached and impeachment requires two-third of members which is 240 members.”