The leadership tussle  in the Abia State House of Assembly has been traced to  'powerful' forces in the office of  Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu seeking to change the Standing Rules of the House ahead the inauguration of the next Assembly


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that less than 16 members of the 24-member Assembly sitting on Tuesday morning, at a yet to be identified location removed Hon Chinedum Orji, (Umuahia Central)  as Speaker and elected Hon. Chukwudi Apugo (Umuahia East)  as the new Speaker.


 The Deputy Speaker  and Chairman, Publicity and Media Committee,  Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu, (Isuikwuato) presided over the session 


Hours later, Hon.  Orji convened a session of the House at the House of Assembly complex where his purported removal was described as a charade.


The session also passed a motion, placing Uchendu and eight members of his faction on suspension for one month 


Uchendu later took to the Press to affirm that Orji remains impeached as they  acted in accordance with the constitution. He  explained that the constitution said such action must be carried out in any government premises.


Speaking on the suspension of the 9 House Assembly members   Uchendu, pointed out that their faction comprises 16 members which formed a quorum and met the provisions of the Constitution bothering on impeachment of the Speaker.


He argued that  the suspension of the 9 members in the session presided over by Hon Orji was drama as they were not done in accordance to the law


Meanwhile,  Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has offered to mediate in the crisis in the State House of Assembly.


The Governor is of the firm view that with barely less than one month to the end of his administration and the ushering of a new administration, it will absolutely make no sense to engage in any issue that is likely to plunge the State into any form of confusion.


In a Press Release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka,  Gov Ikpeazu maintained that his  main preoccupation at the moment is how to pilot the Ship of State peacefully and steadily into the new administration and tie up all administrative matters including the completion of key projects


Gov Ikpeazu appealled to the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon Orji and members of the Assembly to maintain the peace and allow reason and patriotism to guide their actions even as he schedules meeting with the members shortly.


In a related development, Hon Stanley Nwabuisi representing  Ikwuano State Constituency has distanced himself from the ongoing brouhaha in the House explaining that he is still away on his legislative vacation in faraway Canada and  could in no way and by any means have been part of the process. His name and signature was seen in the list of the 16 members led by Uchendu.


 Nwabuisi urged his  colleagues to resolve the matter amicably for the interest of peace and wellbeing of the state, while reminding them of the opportunity that this brings towards addressing  all pending issues as they approach the end of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly.