The Imo State House of Assembly on Tuesday commenced impeachment proceedings against the state Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere over allegations of gross misconduct.

Mr. Madumere had fallen out with the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha following disagreements over  who takes over the mantle of leadership in the state next year when Okorocha’s second term in office expires.

Okorocha, an All Progressive Congress (APC) governor is backing his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu against Mr. Madumere who has also declared his interest in the governorship race.

The deputy governor was alleged to have pitched tents with another faction of the APC in a bid to wrest control of the party from Okorocha during the party’s ward, local government and state congresses.

Although a Federal High Court recently cancelled the congresses and ordered fresh ones following a suit filed by some supporters of Okorocha, the impeachment plot has been brewing for a while.

The House which is led by Acho Ihim had last month suspended four lawmakers for allegedly being loyal to Madumere, accusing them of engaging in what it described as ‘unparliamentary conducts’.