Shame seems to be a fast disappearing commodity in Nigeria. If not, the entire members of Delta State House of Assembly would have resigned the minute they saw the playback of their actions in the House on 22 April.

Their conduct in the House on that day which saw the impeachment of Hon Olise Imegwu, the Speaker, portrayed the members as veritable rascals.

The proceedings of the day shown on African Independent Television, AIT, were as rancorous as any that could be witnessed in a ghetto gin shack. Indeed, the members threw their claim to the title ‘Honourable’ to the dogs in the build-up to impeaching Imegwu.

Trouble started when Samuel Obi, representing Ika North-East constituency and Majority Whip of the House, rudely interrupted Imegwu who was trying to make a point. Raising a point of order, Obi drew the attention of members to a purported committee set up to investigate the crisis in the House.

Asserting his authority, Imegwu told Obi to keep quiet since he had been overruled. But Obi persisted, waving a national daily which he said carried a report on the committee, which he kept screaming had not been deliberated on by the members. “Enough of this embarrassment. Look at this newspaper, we are being portrayed as lawless and unorganised lawmakers,” he said.

Obi then moved a motion for the impeachment of the Speaker. The motion was seconded by Benjamin Efekodo representing Isoko South constituency.

At this juncture, Daniel Mayuku representing Warri South-West constituency, charged at the Speaker and pulled the seat from under him, leaving the dazed Imegwu sprawling on the floor.

Not done yet, Mayuku, with many other members egging him on, pulled the terrified Speaker from the floor, shoved him around and began pushing him towards the door. Attempts by Abel Oshevire representing Ughelli North constituency to save the embattled Speaker earned him some punches.

With the Imegwu out of the way, the members immediately conducted fresh elections that saw Martin Okonta representing Ika South constituency as the new Speaker, while Hon Basil Ganagana representing Patani constituency was picked as his deputy.

The moral question begging for answer: Why would those aggrieved with the  Speaker resort to assaulting him despite having gathered 20 signatures of members who wanted Imegwu impeached?

– Reported by Blessing Ogunli.