Pandemonium struck in the Anambra State House of Assembly yesterday when the speaker of the house, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu, disappeared with the mace, which is a symbol of authority of the legislative House, after she noticed about 28 members of the House had assembled to impeach her.
According to reports, Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano, heard about the impeachment move and drove to the House of Assembly complex to intervene.
The governor addressed the 28 members of the House who were members of the APGA, and tried to make a case for Mrs. Maduagwu not to be impeached but his argument fell on deaf ears. When the Speaker realized that the members were insistent on carrying out their mission, she absconded with the mace, unnoticed.
When the bell that signified her entry into the chambers rang several times, the Speaker was nowhere to be found. Her absence made the Majority Leader, Victor Okoye, adjourn the sitting till Tuesday, April 11. Speaking with journalists, Mr. Onyebuchi Offor, representing Ekwusigo constituency said:
“We came this morning to hold our normal session, only to be disappointed that the Speaker had absconded with the mace.
We have had poor leadership under Rita Maduagwu. But I’m assuring you that justice must prevail. No matter where she runs to, we have determined to take a decision on the leadership of this House. There is no going back, because we are here to serve Anambra people well.”