Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, may be removed this week, according to information reaching News Express from the state capital, Umuahia.

A reliable source close to the State Government House alleged that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has bought into the plot to oust Rt. Hon. Azubuike, who doubles as the National Deputy Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, and has already budgeted N200 million for willing members of the state House of Assembly.

“Governor Ikpeazu has been under intense pressure by Abia godfathers, who put him in office, to implement their pre-election agreements, part of which is to install Hon. Chinedum Orji, the son of his political godfather, Senator TA Orji, as Speaker,” a source said.

Hon. Chikwendu Kalu, member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, has reportedly been pencilled down as alternative in case the candidature of Hon. Orji, member representing Umuahia Central, does not sail through.

“Either Orji or Kalu will likely take over from the incumbent Speaker this week Wednesday during the 2017 budget presentation by the Governor,” one source said.

News Express made efforts to reach Enyinnaya Appolos, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ikpeazu, but he did not immediately reply the text message sent to his line on Monday night.