The Deputy Speaker , Abia House of Assembly ,
Alwell Asiforo Okere , representing Ukwa East ,
Abia State in eastern Nigeria on Monday
evening was elected and sworn in as the new
Speaker .
The event took place barley a week to end the
5th session of the house .
His election followed the formal resignation of
the former Speaker , Ude Oko Chukwu last
Thursday and his subsequent swearing in as
the Deputy Governor of the state .
In a unanimous endorsement by members of
the Assembly , they opined that since nature
abhors vacuum , there was need for the
replacement of the outgone speaker of the 5th
House.
The new Speaker was nominated by the
member representing Umuahia North , Emeka
Isaac Ejiogu and his nomination was seconded
by Tony Mezie Nwaubani, member representing
Ukwa West respectively.
Subsequently , the Leader of the House, Barr
Chidiebere Nwoke representing Umuahia East
was elected the Deputy Speaker while the
Deputy Leader , P . C . Onyegbu representing
Bende South , is now the Leader .
The Whip, Dr. Ikechukwu Nwabeke representing
Osisioma Ngwa North is now the Deputy
Leader, while Deputy Whip , Humphrey Azubuike
representing Ugwunagbo is the Whip , and Mba
Ukaha member representing Ohafia South is
now Deputy Whip .
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected
Speaker , Alwell Asiforo Okere noted that the
events of Monday had opened another chapter
in the history of Nigeria ’ s Parliament and Abia
House of Assembly in particular .
He added that his elevation to the office of the
Speaker “was in fulfillment of section 92
subsection ( 1) of the 1999 Constitution that
prescribes the offices of a Speaker and Deputy
Speaker and in line with our rules book section
7 that empowers the Deputy Speaker to
perform all the duties and functions of the
Speaker in his absence .”
He thanked his colleagues for reposing
confidence in him while promising not to
disappoint them .
Okere also said he remained indebted to the
people of Ukwa East State constituency and
the entire Abia people .
On behalf of the House, he congratulated the
new Governor of Abia State , Dr . Okezie Victor
Ikpeazu for his successful inauguration, and his
Deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu whom he described
as a worthy ambassador.
The Speaker paid glowing tributes to the
immediate past Governor, Chief T .A . Orji for
providing leadership in the state that enabled
him become the 7th Speaker of the remaining
Part of this 5 th session.
He expressed optimism that though the period
is very short, with God on their side and
cooperation of his colleagues , he will make it
most eventful and historic as the end of every
race is very important .
To this end, Okere promised that the house will
continue to partner with the executive and
judicial arms of the governments in line with
separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria .
He, therefore , requested that all Abians that
needed the services of the Assembly to come
forward as the 5th session of the house would
continue till the expiration of its tenure on 8
June, 2015 . http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/06/02/abia-house-of-assembly-gets-new-speaker/Cc. lalasticlala ishilove |
