How Umahi’s Men Took Over Ebonyi Assembly

Allies of Mr. Dave Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi State have
taken over majorr leadership positions in the 24-member state House of
Assembly.
The state’s fifth assembly elected the
member representing Izzi West, Francis Nwifuru, and member

representing Onicha East, Odefa Obasi Odefa, as the new Speaker
and Deputy Speaker, respectively, the duo are said to be strong allies of the PDP governor, Umahi.
The motion  for the election of the Speaker was moved by Odefa and seconded by Joseph Nwobashi (Ezza North East), while the election of
the deputy speaker was moved by Chike Oguji (Ikwo South) and seconded by Frank Onwe (Ohaukwu North).
Other principal officers as announced by the Speaker include: Joseph
Nwobasi (Majority Leader); Chike Oguji (Deputy Leader); Kingsley Ikoro
(Chief Whip); Frank Onwe (Deputy Chief Whip) and the member
representing Afikpo North East, Maria Nwachi (PPA), as the Minority Leader.
The new Speaker further directed the Clerk of house, Mrs. Rose
Nwokporo, who earlier presided over the session to notify the
executive and Judiciary that the fifth assembly had been constituted and
ready for communication.
Inaugurating the assembly, the governor, Dave Umahi, assured that the executive would not interfere with the internal
affairs of the house, adding that he would continue to play fatherly
role to the assembly.
He expressed dismay that the fourth assembly was the “worst” in the country because of the high level of infighting, indiscipline,
corruption, and incessant impeachment of the principal officers of the
house.
Umahi noted that some of the issues that characterized the fourth
assembly included “Inadequate funding, government officials not
obeying the laws enacted by our legislatures, over-reaching attitude of the executive in matters of exclusive rights of the legislatures,
interference of executive in the matters of the legislatures”.

Category: NEWS