Days after being ousted from office, Martins Azubuike, the former Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, says his uprightness cost him the job. Mr. Azubuike, who made the disclosure at a reception by his community, Umunneato-Ngwa, said he was impeached because of not consenting to sharing of funds meant for projects.
He told the audience that he committed no impeachable offence but was removed because he did not accede to demands to share allocations to the house among the members.
Mr. Azubuike, revered by workers in the House of Assembly for his experience as a third-term legislator, listed the projects executed during his more than one year tenure as Speaker.
According to him, the projects include the completion of an office complex for the 24 legislators which was started in 2007.
Mr. Azubuike said other projects were the computerisation of the operations and a website for the Assembly to enable members track its activities from within and outside the complex.
He said he also procured vehicles for the members and two buses for committee assignments by members.
“These monetary achievements were the challenges I had with the members because I did not agree that the money should be put on the table to be shared by members,’’ Mr. Azubuike said.
He also reeled out a number of constituency projects he executed in his Isiala Ngwa North, to include the grading of roads in the area and bursary award to 100 students.
The former speaker said he organised free medical services for people of the area as well as schools competitions during which scholarships were awarded to the best students among other projects.
Mr. Azubuike said that at the inception of the sixth Assembly, his leadership articulated a roadmap for 2015/2019 on how to drive development in the state.
According to him, whatever the present administration of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu has achieved from inception to date was as a result of the initiatives by the House under his watch.
He said since his emergence as Speaker, he supported the governor against the background that it was the first time a person of Ngwa extraction became governor since the creation of Abia.
Mr. Azubuike, however, expressed his readiness to continue to support the governor to ensure his success.
He also assured his people that he would continue to provide effective representation in the House.
The former Speaker also thanked the organisers of the event and elders of the area for the honour done to him.
He said that he had been consoled by their solidarity and kind words which he hoped to cherish all his life.
Speaking with journalists, Mr. Azubuike said he was not served a notice of impeachment to enable him defend himself against the allegations.
(NAN)via premiumtimes.
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