Youth Action Network urges court to remove Cross River assembly Speaker, Ayambem

By Akpan David, Calabar

The Youth Action Network has asked Cross River High Court to remove the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem. 

They have said in the alternative, the Clerk of the Assembly should commence processes to conduct a valid re-election for Ayambem or elect a new Speaker immediately.

Last week, a High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Abua in Calabar ruled that Ayambem, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, was validly removed. 

17 out of 25 lawmakers had alleged that Ayambem was involved in gross power abuse, financial impropriety and had passed a vote of no confidence on him.  They removed him on May 22, 2024 but Governor Bassey Otu intervened a week after and reinstalled him. 

Recall that a citizen, Raymond Manga, Esq had  filed the matter in court, asking if the process of his returned to office was valid.  The High Court had ruled that Ayanbem was validly removed.

In another originating summon from the Cross River High Court with suit no HC/166/2024 between Joseph Odey vs Cross River State Governor, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Clerk and 23 others, Director General of Youth Action Network, (YAN), Joseph Odey said they were asking the court for an order of interim injunction.

Odey who is an APC member in the state, said they want the court to restrain the governor and other government officials from recognizing or relating with Ayambem as Speaker pending when the motion is heard

The organization prayed the court to further restrain Ayambem from parading himself as speaker pending when the motion is heard.

The motion itself is saying he was not validly elected back as speaker after his removal and was therefore holding  the position illegally.

According to Odey, the situation implies that the state does not have a speaker at present.

They also want the court to invalidate all activities of the House of Assembly presided over by Ayanbem  since his impeachment. 

The originating summon was brought pursuant to order 19 of the high court (civil procedure) Rules 2023

The summon was accompanied by a 13 paragraphs affidavit which Odey, the claimant, deposed to.

The organization wants the court to determine whether the Assembly can function effectively  without a substantive Speaker  without being properly constituted.

They called on the court to declare that Ayambem remains removed or impeached.