—- Urges Newly Elected Law Makers To Build A Cordial Relationship with the Executive.
Members of the Abia State House of Assembly yesterday June 9, 2023 held her End Valedictory session to mark the end of the legislative business of the house.
The extraordinary/valedictory session which began at about 2:00 pm was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu at the instance of the factional Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo.
The Opening Prayer was said by the Minority Leader of the house, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu with some members of the house in attendance.
Various committees of the house also presented their end of tenure reports which were considered at the floor of the house.
Earlier in his valedictory speech, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu was full of praise for his colleagues for their various contributions at the floor of the house which according to him has contributed to the sociopolitical and economic development of their various constituencies and the state at large.
He also thanked the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for contributing his own quota towards the development of the state and for his peaceful disposition which ensured that Abia state remains one of the safest states in the country.
The Deputy Speaker also congratulated the newly sworn in Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Oti and his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu and urged the 8th Abia State House of Assembly members elect that will be inaugurated in few days to give legislative support to the Dr. Alex Oti led administration in the state to enable him deliver on his campaign promises to Ndi Abia.
In their various speeches; some members of the House including Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu (Isiala Ngwa South), Rt. Hon. Kennedy Njoku (Osisioma), Hon. Chijioke Chukwu (Minority Leader/Bende North), Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe (Umunneochi), Hon. Aaron Uzodike (Aba North), Hon. Obinna Ichita (Aba South), Hon. Mike Ukoha (Arochukwu) and others all thanked God for seeing them through to the end of their tenure as the representatives of their people. They also appreciated members of their various constituencies for trusting them with their mandates and vowed to do more if/when given further opportunities to represent or serve the people in any capacity.
It would be recalled that the State Assembly last month was faced with Leadership crisis following the impeachment of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji (Umuahia Central) and his replacement with Hon. Chukwudi Apugo (Umuahia East).
The Speaker in turn convened a sitting with about 8 law makers loyal to him where they impeached the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu and elected Hon. Mandela Obasi as the Deputy Speaker while suspending those loyal who were part of the Speaker’s impeachment process.
However, following the intervention of the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu who appealed that the house return to status quo, the Speaker announced that the house has resolved its crisis but maintained that Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu would not return as the Deputy Speaker.
The Declaration by the Speaker irked his Deputy who had accused him of withelding his Security Votes for about 9 Months. The Deputy Speaker and the other law makers were then forced to conduct a separate Valedictory Session accusing the Speaker of being insincere with his claimed resolution of the crisis at the Assembly.
The tenure of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly ended yesterday while the 8th Assembly is expected to be inaugurated next week.