Factional Members of the Abia State House of Assembly on Friday, held her Valedictory session to mark the end of the legislative business of the 7th Abia House of Assembly.
The extraordinary Valedictory session which commenced 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.
Before the commencement of the legislative business, the opening prayer was said by the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu with some Members of the House in attendance.
At the session, various Committees of the House also presented their end of Tenure Reports which were considered at the floor of the house.
In his Valedictory speech earlier, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu praised Members for their various contributions in the floor of the House which according to him has contributed to the socio-political and economic development of their various constituencies and the state at large.
He 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 Otti led administration in the State to enable him deliver on his campaign promises to Ndi Abia.
In their brief contributions, 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 thanked God for seeing them through to the end of their tenure as the Representatives of their people.
They lauded 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.
Recall 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.
Meanwhile, due to 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 angered his Deputy who had accused him of withholding 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 on Friday, June 9th, 2023 while the 8th Assembly is expected to be inaugurated next week.
