Acho Ihim, the former Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly and running mate to the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the 2019 election, Uche Nwosu, has dumped the party.

He defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday during the Inauguration of the Imo State house of Assembly.

Ihim said: “There is an end to litigation. God has chosen Rt hon Emeka Ihedioha to lead and move Imo forward and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

“Having come to this after consulting my conscience, my family, and my constituents, I have chosen to drop the litigation going on In court today. I am here to tell you that I am not part of it”.

Ihim had resigned on May 28, hours to the inauguration of Ihedioha.

His spokesman, Ekwezuo, who confirmed the development, said: “The speaker has resigned. He tendered his resignation letter today, May 28 and resigns with immediate effect.

“He is grateful to his colleagues and the people of Imo for the opportunity to serve as the number third citizen of the state for four years now”.

In a swift action, the Imo lawmakers elected Mr Lawman Duruji (Ehime Mbano) to replace Ihim.

Duruji, who scored 14 votes to defeat Chinedu Offor (Onuimo) who polled 11 votes, was immediately declared acting Speaker of the House by the clerk of the Assembly.

Chika Madumere (Nkwerre) with 11 votes defeated Ngozi Obiefule (Isu) who got nine votes to win the position of deputy speaker, and was so declared by the clerk.

Ihim was earlier suspended along with Majority Leader, Lugard Osuji, from the House on May 15 by 21 out of the 27 lawmakers over allegations of misconduct against the interest of the legislature.