Feelers has it that the Labour Party stakeholders in Abia state are projecting Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa, a Former Executive Chairman of Aba South and member elect for Aba South State constituency to emerge as the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly.
Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, a one – time American returnee, was a member of PDP that campaigned vigorously for Ex – Governor Okezie Ikpeazu prior to the 2015 general elections and was rewarded with an Executive Chairman position of Abia South Local Government Area.
His tenure as the Chairman of Aba South LGA many residents believe, was adjourned as the worst in the history of the Local Government because he did not perform well while in office and has zero interpersonal relationship with both the stakeholders, the party, PDP that brought him to power and Aba South residents.
Hon. Emereuwa is from ward 7 in Nnentu, Aba South LGA and it’s believed by many to be conservative, stingy, unfriendly and lacks mass appeal even in his Nnentu ward
However, this move by the Labour party runs contrary to the standing rules of the Abia State House of Assembly which says that only ranking members of the House should be elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
The Speakership is believed to have been zoned to Abia South Senatorial District in line with equity, justice and fair play.
Before now, the Labour party was toiling with the idea of supporting Hon. Destiny Nwagwu, member for Aba North state constituency but the feelers have it that, his lack of the needed capacity to handle legislative duties is in serious doubt
As at the time of filling this report, the Governor Dr. Alex Otti has not made the required constitutional proclamation of the 8th Abia Assembly but sources said the House is billed to be inaugurated on tuesday June 13, 2023 barring last minute changes
Our source told www.newsmirrorng.com that the Clerk of the House, Sir John Pedro Irokansi has made three attempts to meet Gov. Alex Otti but was not given audience to see the number one citizen of the state
However, the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP), has majority in the new Abia Assembly, boasting of 11 Members elect, Labour party ( LP) has 10 members, Young Progressive Party ( YPP,), while the All Progressives Congress ( APC) has 1 member.
From Abia South Senatorial zone, where it is believed the Speaker of the 8th Abia House of Assembly will emerge, and going by the State House of Assembly rules, which lends credence to a ranking member as the Speaker, there are two ranking members, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu, representing Obingwa Ease, a third term law maker and Hon. Godwin Adiele representing Ukwa West, a second term law maker.
Both ranking members are said to be peaceful, succinct and vibrate lawmakers whose presence during House plenary boasts of robust and intelligent debate in all ramifications They are also team players the source told www.newsmirrorng.com.
The days ahead are indeed tough as the horse trading, negotiation, betrayal that usually characterise the politics of this clime will bare it’s fangs in the determination of the next Speaker of Abia state House of Assembly.
