The speaker of the Lakes State Legislative Assembly, Baipath Majuech, has been removed from office by the state caretaker governor.

Mr Majuech lost his job in a decree last evening.

The removal of Mr Majuech follows calls by some MPs for him to resign. They accused him of poor management, a claim he has since denied.

Mr Majuech told Eye Radio that his sacking is against the conduct of business regulations of the assembly.

“I have been removed from my position not by the assembly regulations, but by a governor’s decree,” he protested.

“They did not follow the assembly procedures. The branches of the government are three: the executive, [legislature], and the judiciary. Each of them is independent and has connections. Now, to bypass all these things, it means that we are teaching our generation that is coming behind not to respect laws.”

The acting speaker, Nhial Enock responded by dissolving the leadership of the specialized committees.

Mr Nhial announced his decision at an emergency meeting of the MPs a few hours after the governor issued the decree.

It is not clear if a state governor has the power to remove an elected speaker.  But Mr Majuech says MPs who are in his favor have been told that the removal is not a subject for discussion.