BAYELSA GOVERNOR'S IMPEACHMENT MOVES FORWARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001814

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: BAYELSA GOVERNOR'S IMPEACHMENT MOVES FORWARD

REF: LAGOS 1811

Classified By: Management Officer Matthew Spivak for Reason 1.4 (D)

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SUMMARY
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1. (U) The Bayelsa State House of Assembly suspended four
assemblymen for improper activities, and directed Chief Judge
Emmanuel Igoniwari to form a panel to investigate the charges
listed in Governor Alamieyeseigha's impeachment notice. The
House also voided Governor Alamieyeseigha's replacement of
the House Clerk, and stated Deputy Governor Goodluck Jonathan
was recognized as acting governor while Alamieyeseigha's
120-day leave of absence continues. Alamieyeseigha's
spokesman denounced the House actions as unconstitutional.
End summary.

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HOUSE SUSPENDS FOUR MEMBERS, EMPOWERS CHIEF JUDGE
TO INVESTIGATE IMPEACHMENT
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2. (U) The fifteen pro-impeachment members of the Bayelsa
State House of Assembly met under tight security for just
over an hour on Tuesday to advance the impeachment of
Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. The Assemblymen suspended
four of the five assemblymen who had initially endorsed the
impeachment but later claimed coercion by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The four were suspended
indefinitely for acting "...dishonorably by their covert and
overt acts and utterances." There was no explanation for why
only four of the five assemblymen were suspended. Once
passed, the suspension reduced the number of voting
Assemblymen from twenty-four to twenty, so the fifteen
pro-impeachment members now had the required two-thirds
majority to move ahead. The House immediately then empowered
Chief Judge Igoniwari to investigate the impeachment of
Governor Alamieyeseigha. Deputy Speaker Bright Erewari
introduced the motion and noted the constitutional basis for
their actions.

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HOUSE AFFIRMS DEPUTY GOVERNOR IS ACTING
GOVERNOR, REINSTATES CLERK
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4. (U) The House also rescinded an action taken by the
Governor on Monday. Alamieyeseigha had put Clerk of the
House Peter George on compulsory leave, appointing Phillip
Ere as acting clerk. However, on Tuesday the House declared
the Governor's action null and void as it violated of the
Bayelsa State House of Assembly Act. House Speaker
Peremobowei Ebebi further stated that the House did not
recognize Alamieyeseigha's actions as governor since the
120-day leave of absence he requested two weeks ago was still
in force, making Deputy Governor Goodluck Jonathan acting
governor.


5. (U) The Governor's spokesman Preye Wariowei quickly
condemned the House's actions, stating the suspension of the
four anti-impeachment assemblymen did not follow House rules
and the direction to the Chief Judge violated the impeachment
process proscribed by the constitution.


6. (C) Comment: The House's actions are further evidence
of State and Federal Government determination to remove
Alamieyeseigha from office. End comment.
BROWNE