Published 8th Jan, 2022

By Tola Owoyele

Collins Chiji, a former speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and member representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, furiously knocked down a table full of kolanuts in a gathering on Friday, after one of his constituents accused him of poor performance.

In a video circulating on social media, the constituent, who addressed Chiji in Igbo, described the gathering as a complete waste of time.

“My people, there should not be any kind of discussion here, because during forums like these, we always lay bare our grievances and requests, and the honourable in turn makes promises and leaves. But whenever he leaves, that is where the discussion ends,” the member said.

“The last time he came here to campaign, I told him, ‘You have served in the office for four years, and there was nothing you did for us as our representative. Is there anything you forgot at the office?”’

“Rather mockingly, the honourable member told me yes, that he forgot his pants there and would be going back to take it for another four years. I however told him to step down, that there was nothing he did for us, and that he could not continue to tell us what to do. Then he told me that day…”

At this point, angry Chiji got up and turned the table in front of him, causing the kolanuts that had been put before him to scatter on the floor.

The people around him also immediately stood up to prevent him from attacking the speaker.

His action led to the meeting ending abruptly, with many attendees leaving in a hurry to avoid getting hurt in case violence broke out.

Collins Chiji was impeached as speaker on November 13, 2020, when 18 out of 27 members of the Imo State Assembly voted against him.

Prior to his impeachment, he had been swimming in a pool of allegations, including certificate forgery.

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