As battle for Speakership unfolds

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

The seeming frosty relationship between the Abia State chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and its People Democratic Party, PDP, over the outcome of the 2015 state governorship election has been further aggravated with the postponed inauguration of the State House of Assembly earlier scheduled for Monday, June 8.

Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr. Johnpedro Irokansi had  at a press briefing announced the postponement of the inauguration of the new House, citing the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue certificates of returns to two members elect of the House, as reason for the action.  The current House expired on June 7.

APGA which is the main opposition in the state has condemned the postponement of the inauguration of the Assembly.

Irokansi explained  that section 91 of the constitution stipulates that the membership of every House of Assembly should not be less  than 24, arguing that INEC only gave him a list of 22 members issued with certificate of return. He stated that if the House is inaugurated with fewer members than constitutionally required, someone might go to court to annul the entire exercise.

In a chat with journalists, Chairman of APGA in the state, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, described the postponement as an aberration, arguing that the inauguration of the House cannot be suspended on the basis that not all members of the House had collected the certificate of return given that 23 out of the 24 members had received theirs.

Ikpeazu

He urged Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to inaugurate the 6th House, stressing that it will amount to illegality for the Governor to operate without a State House of Assembly.

“If Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu fails to inaugurate the House as scheduled, it means that the Abia Government had not been properly constituted for the present administration.  The postponement is unacceptable to us; let the right thing be done, let the interest of the state be placed first. The interest of the state should not be attached to the interest of an individual,” he said.

But in a swift reaction, state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Uchechi Ogbuka, accused APGA of playing politics of bitterness with issues of the state.

According to him, “If the Clerk/ Permanent Secretary of the House of Assembly said the House can’t be inaugurated with 22 members based on the list he received from INEC; he has been there and knows the procedure. The Clerk cannot go against the law. So, APGA should be patient till INEC releases the remaining certificates of return. They should not accuse the PDP because we have nothing to achieve with not inaugurating the House.”

Ogbuka who said APGA is still bitter over her loss at the governorship election, added that the PDP cannot halt the democratic process in the state, as the party has nothing to gain by the situation.

Meanwhile, the race for the speakership position has reached fever pitch. The PDP which has 13 seats in the 24 member Assembly gearing to produce the speaker.

Among those believed to be interested in the seat zoned to Abia Central senatorial district are Hon. Martin Azubuike (Isiala Ngwa North), Engr. Chinedum Orji (Umuahia Central) as well as Hon. Ikedi Ezekwesiri (Umunneochi) who is a member of APGA.

But in a full page advertorial in a national daily, Orji, who is the son of the former governor, now Senator Theodore Orji denied being interested in the speakership position.

A chieftain of the PDP who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Vanguard that the younger Orji took the decision as a result of the new development in the politics of the state which won’t favour him if he runs.

According to him, “There is no way Engr. Chinedum Orji will emerge speaker if he runs. The present political climate in the state does not favour him. It is a wise decision if he decided not to run.”

Orji is reportedly being considered for the post of the majority leader. Orji’s chances had brightened just before the election when it emerged that members in the last House from Umuahia zone, where the position is now zoned, who could have vied for speaker were not returned as candidates

Vanguard checks revealed that Azubuike may emerge as the new speaker as the PDP has thrown its weight behind him. Azubuike who is a third term member of the House and chairman of the Appropriation Committee in the 5th House is being backed by a majority of the members-elect.

His efforts nonetheless, an APGA member-elect, Ikedi Ezekwesiri said his party has mandated him to run for the speakership position. Ezekwesiri, who is a second term member of the House boasted that he is sure of emerging the new speaker. He disclosed that PDP members are backing him for the position, stressing that there is no rule that the party with majority members must produce the speaker of the House.