Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Enugu, Abia Assemblies Elect New Speakers

 

Ogun,Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Ebonyi, Enugu and Abia States Houses of Assembly have elected new Speakers to pilot the affairs of their legislatures for the next four years.

In Ogun State, the lawmakers elected its immediate-past Deputy Speaker, Hon Olakunle Oluomo, as Speaker.

Oluomo, who was a member of the eighth state House of Assembly and a member representing Ifo 1 state constituency, emerged the ninth legislature Speaker.

His counterpart from Ijebu North II state constituency, Oludare Kadiri, emerged the Deputy Speaker.

The two new principal officers of the assembly were elected following the acceptance of their separate nominations by members representing Ikenne state constituency, Olakunle Sobukola, and was seconded by his Yewa North I state constituency counterpart, Adegoke Adeyanju, during the inauguration ceremony of the ninth legislature held at the assembly complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.

While accepting the nomination, Oluomo appreciated Almighty God and his colleagues for their support and trust, and promised to promote the existing mutual interdependence among the three arms of government.

While in Enugu State, the former assembly Speaker, Edward Ubosi, has been elected as the new Speaker to pilot the affairs of the seventh state assembly.

Ubosi represents Enugu East Urban constituency. He is serving his third term in the assembly having been first elected in 2011.

The election of Ubosi marked the commencement of the first sitting of the seventh session of the state assembly.

A new member, Hon. Uche Ugwu, representing Udi North state constituency, was elected the Deputy Speaker to replace Dons Uzogbado, the former Deputy Speaker from Oji River constituency.

The former leader of the assembly, Hon. Melitus Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, representing Udenu constituency, was also reelected into his position.

Member representing Enugu South Rural constituency, Hon. Mary Onyinye, also retained her position as the deputy leader of the assembly.

Expressing delight over his reelection, Ubosi said the day was not a speech-making day but just to thank God for situation.

Ubosi said the first time he was made Speaker, he thought it was because of his stature as a tall man but now he knew that it was God that just made him a leader.

"Today we have gathered here to thank God. I don't have a written speech. We are here just to thank God and the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for purposeful leadership in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, the immediate past Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chinedum Orji, was yesterday elected the Speaker of the seventh assembly by the 24-member legislature.

The new Speaker, who represents Umuahia Central state constituency, is the son of former state Governor, Theodore Orji, now the Senator representing Abia Central.

Orji was elected unopposed following his nomination by Munnachim Alozie of Ugwunagbo state constituency and supported by Ginger Onwusibe of Isialangwa North state constituency.

The seventh state assembly has overwhelming majority of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has 19 members followed by APGA with three while APC has two lawmakers.

In his inaugural speech, the new assembly Speaker expressed gratitude to his colleagues for considering him worthy to carry the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the seventh state assembly.

In Ebonyi State House of Assembly, the 24 members re-elected the member representing Izzi West state constituency, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, as the Speaker of the sixth state assembly.

The members also re-elected the member representing Onicha East state constituency, Hon. Odefa Obasi Odefa, as the Deputy Speaker.

The Clerk of the assembly, Mrs. Patricia Anyasi, who presided over the election of the principal officers of the assembly, declared the duo as Speaker and Deputy Speaker after motions for their nominations were unopposed.

Speaking after his swearing-in, the Speaker dedicated his victory to the people of the state and his constituency in particular, assuring them that he would carry all the members of the assembly along in his administration.

The Speaker commended the state Governor, Chief David Umahi, assuring him that the two arms of government would continue to maintain good relationship, especially in the speedy passage of executive bills.

Meanwhile, in Katsina State, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Tasi'u Maigari, was on Monday re-elected as the Speaker of the inaugurated seventh state assembly.

Maigari, who represents Zango constituency, was re-elected through a secret balloting after the inauguration of the assembly by the state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari.

The Speaker was nominated by Hon. Sabi'u Aliyu Muduru (APC) representing Mani constituency and seconded by Hon. Ibrahim Dikko of Matazu constituency.

Maigari was elected alongside the former Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Shehu Dalhatu (Faskari), who was reelected as the seventh assembly Deputy Speaker.

In his acceptance speech, Maigari said he would ensure effective legislation to promote good governance in the state and the country at large.

In Akwa Ibom State, a one-time Deputy Leader of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey, was on Monday elected as the new Speaker of the assembly thus bringing to rest series of political horse-trading on who would ascend the throne of the state assembly.

The state was literally shut down as a cross section of the citizens had trooped to the assembly complex to witness the emergence of the Speaker and other Assembly Officers.

The new Speaker, who represents Uran state constituency, was chosen to lead the seventh assembly by 25 out of 26 members of the assembly.

The winner of the Essien Udim state constituency is yet to be declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged declaration of the election results under duress.

Others elected officers to pilot the affairs of the assembly were Mrs. Felicia Bassey of Okobo state constituency who retained her seat as the Deputy Speaker while Rt. Hon. Udoh Keriean Akpan of Oruk Anam state constituency also retained his seat as House Leader.

Addressing the assembly after his election, the Speaker praised God for his emergence as the Speaker of the assembly and acknowledged his party, the People Democratic Party (PDP) and his constituency for giving him the opportunity to represent them.