Ex-governor’s son emerges speaker for House of Assembly

The Son of the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Engr. Chinedum Orji representing Umuahia Central Constituency and Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu of Ohafia South Constituency has been elected as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

They were elected unopposed.

Chinedum is the first son of former Governor and Senator representing Abia central senatorial district, Theodore Orji.

In his speech, he assured his colleagues of providing good leadership.

Orji said: “This 7th Abia State House of Assembly shall be vibrant and result-oriented. We are the House of the people, by the people and for the people and we shall endeavour to make the people the centre-point of all our actions and decisions. We are therefore committed to the enactment of sound laws and legislation that will help in uplifting the lives and well-being of Ndi Abia.

“This 7th House shall provide very sound and strong oversight functions signifying that the era of disobeying Laws and Resolutions passed by the Abia State House of Assembly is over. Similarly, the era of the non-implementation of the directives and visions of the Executive, headed by our Governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is now over. Appropriate sanctions will be meted out to any official of the Abia State Government found not to be helping our Governor to actualize his visions for Abia State.

“The Leadership of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly shall pay paramount attention to the welfare and wellbeing of its Members. I shall work with our Leader the Governor to ensure that all entitlements of House Members get to them as and when due. We shall also run a transparent administration that will leave no questions unanswered.

“Members of the 7th House shall be empowered to enable them empower their constituents. This is because the electorate that elected us all do not differentiate between the legislature and the executive in terms of provision of social amenities. Once you are in government, you are expected to provide amenities. We will empower Members to ensure that the expectations of their constituents are not cut short.

“As has been our tradition in this House, once we gather to deliberate on issues, we do not have party divides and partisan leanings. The welfare of the people of Abia State is always our watchword. I am aware that Members were elected to this House under the platforms of different political parties but I call on my colleagues to uphold our age-long tradition and eschew partisan rancor and continue to allow us speak with one voice for the good of the people of Abia State.

“Our major role in this House shall be the protection and preservation of the equity and justice already entrenched in the state and symbolized by the current Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. I therefore call on all 5th columnists and agents of confusion to sheathe their swords and allow us to face the task before us. Let no one attempt to sow seeds of discord between us Members and between the Legislature and Executive. Any such attempts will be dead on arrival as it is not what we have come here to do.

“Hon. Members, Distinguished Abians. As you all know, the welfare of the youths of Abia State has been very dear to me since even before my involvement in politics. As it has pleased God to set me on this pedestal today, I will not forget the Youths of Abia State. I also note that the 7th Abia State House of Assembly is predominantly made up of youths. Policies of Government that have to do with youth employment and empowerment shall be given full attention.

“I was glad when the Governor mentioned provision of jobs for the youths as his major objective in his second term. I note his enviable strides with the Enyimba Economic City and other initiatives aimed at industrializing Abia State and creating jobs for our youths. We pledge to work with him by way of legislation for him to actualize his visions.”

Other principal officers are: Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu of Ohafia South constituency elected as Deputy Speaker.

Majority Leader, Hon Solomon Akpulonu (PDP)

Minority leader, Abraham Oba (APGA)

Deputy Minority Leader Hon. Chukwu Chijioke (APC)

Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Paul Taribo

Chief Whip, Hon. Munachim Alozie

Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Chukwudi Apugo

The house was then adjourned to 17th June 2019.

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