2nd June, 2015
Sam Obinna Ibe/Umuahia
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 5th 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.