Governor Otu’s intervention returns Cross River Speaker, Ayambem to his seat
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Cross River State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Elvert Ayambem has returned to preside over the affairs of the Assembly.
It would be recalled that some members of the Assembly had, last week Wednesday, “removed” the Speaker, alleging mismanagement of funds, among other sundry allegations.
However, a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Nsa Gill on Monday noted that the Speaker has returned to his seat after the intervention of the governor.
It reads in part: “All the twenty five members of the State House of Assembly had a closed -meeting with the governor on Sunday night and agreed to restore normalcy and maintain the status quo with Hon. Elvert Ayambem remaining their Speaker.
Governor Otu called for a truce between the aggrieved members and the Speaker while urging the Speaker to understand that he is the first among equal s and that have rights and benefits which the Speaker’s office should not deny them.”
The Speaker on his part, while thanking the governor for his intervention, promised to dedicate himself to the welfare of members.
Lawmakers pass vote of confidence on Cross River Speaker, Elvert Ayambem
River State lawmakers have passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Rt Hon. Elvert Ayambem.
The motion for the vote of confidence was moved, during plenary, by the Member representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency, Hon Cyril James Omini and seconded by the Member representing Etung State Constituency, Hon Kingsley Ntui Isong.
Omini noted that the House would continue to work for the interest of the State.
He said: “Last week, the House experienced a legislative disruption but we want the best for the State. On that note I move a motion for a vote of confidence on Mr Speaker.” Omini stated.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Speaker, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem reiterated the need for the House to continue working in unity.
“We are all brothers from different walks of life and the long term relationship which we have built cannot be thrown to the wind. On the 22nd of may 2024, we had a session which, for the first time, was disrupted. The beautiful thing is that there is no victor, no vanquished”. Ayambem said.
When the Speaker called for a voice vote on the motion, Members voted unanimously for the vote of confidence accordingly.