The Cross River State House of Assembly has unanimously reaffirmed Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem as Speaker of the 10th Assembly.
The reaffirmation of Ayambem followed a rapprochement brokered by Governor Bassey Otu and critical stakeholders with the 25-member Assembly in Calabar on Sunday, according to a statement by Ayambe’s Chief Press Secretary, Matthew Okache.
The Speaker was impeached on Wednesday by 17 of the 25 members over allegations of misappropriation of funds.
A majority of the lawmakers had passed a no-confidence vote in him after about 11 months in office.
While responding to the development, Ayambem expressed appreciation to the governor and the stakeholders for what he described as their remarkable ability to bring about peace and stability of the State and the House of Assembly.
The Speaker also commended the governor for showing extraordinary leadership during challenging times.
Ayambem said: “The governor’s track record as a leader who is committed to peace has never been in doubt. This has continued to shine through from his time as a senator to his current position as governor. I want to sincerely thank you for your genuine interest in and commitment to the peace and unity of Cross River State.
“Specifically, I want to thank all relevant stakeholders and particularly my colleagues for your continuous support. I want to pledge my cooperation and commitment to foster a harmonious working environment with you, one that would contribute to the growth and progress of both the House of Assembly and Cross River State.”
The Speaker emphasised the shared responsibility to collaborate for the advancement of the state, highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation among the members, to make laws that will serve the common good of all Cross Riverians. He pledged to lead with integrity, decency, and focus on the welfare of all.
Ayambem, who represents Ikom 2 State Constituency in the Houses, was elected Speaker of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023.
