Impeached Bayelsa speaker kicks as Dickson congratulates new speaker

Tonye Isenah, the former speaker of the embattled Bayelsa house of assembly, says he is still in position even though Seriake Dickson, governor of the state, has congratulated his replacement.

In a statement released on Monday evening by Fidelis Soriwei, his chief press secretary, Dickson said Monday Obolo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 2, was elected to replace Isenah.

NAN reports that the PDP leadership in the state advised Isenah to resign or face impeachment so as to realign the balance of power.

Duoye Diri, PDP’s governorship candidate for the November 16 governorship election, hails from the same area as Isenah which some political pundits say could work against the PDP in the election.

Reacting to the development in a telephone chat, Isenah said: “I did not resign, neither was I impeached, I presided over the house and I did not preside as an impeached speaker so as we speak the house is on recess and anything done by anyone is a nullity.

“The speculation that there was an understanding that I will resign is false; I challenge anyone canvassing that position to come up with proof.”

Suspected thugs had invaded the assembly complex and some members who sat back resumed sitting impeached Isenah in absentia and carried out an election.