By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Calabar- Attempt to impeach Cross River State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Larry Odey and his Deputy, Itaya Asuquo-Nyong, Tuesday, failed as neither the Speaker nor his Deputy was at the chambers for the day’s sitting.

It was gathered that the plot to change the leader-ship of the House was hatched last week and expected to be executed Tuesday, but the House did not sit as both leaders were said to be on official assignment outside the state.

Although the ‘Speaker-must-go- lawmakers were said to be 16 in number out of the 25, those who were opposed to the change of leadership were also plotting to ensure that the plan did not work as 18 members were needed for the impeachment to work.

It was gathered that the plot to remove Odey was sequel to his recent attendance of a meeting in Lagos with Mr. Donald Duke, former governor of the state.

A lawmaker said: “This man was made Speaker with our conviction that he was one of us but his conduct had since proved to the contrary and we cannot condone such.”

Another member told Vanguard: “The man is only postponing the evil day as there is nothing he can do to stop us.”

The Speaker was also accused of gross incompetence and lack of financial transparency by members.

At the chambers, yesterday, aggrieved members waited in vain for the Speaker, his deputy and Clerk of the House. None of them came.