Emmanuel Emeruwa of the Labour Party (representing Aba South) has emerged as the eighth Abia House of Assembly speaker.

Another Labour Party lawmaker, Okezie Augustine, representing the Umuahia East constituency, also emerged as the deputy speaker of the house.

Mr Emeruwa was nominated by Uche Akachukwu, representing the Aba Central, and seconded by Emeka Obioma, representing the Umuahia South constituency.

Attempts by two lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Akpulonu (Obingwa East constituency) and Mandela Obasi (Ohafia North constituency), to nominate PDP’s candidate for the deputy speakership were overlooked by the clerk of the house, John-Pedro Iroakazi.

The development caused a mild uproar on the house floor as the PDP members began to raise objections.

In an acceptance speech after the return of normalcy, the speaker promised that he would pilot the affairs of the house without fear or favour.

He described Governor Alex Otti’s efforts to enthrone excellence in governance as commendable, saying that the governor’s leadership style would serve as a guiding principle for him as a speaker.

Mr Emeruwa said, “I am deeply honoured by the trust reposed in me, and I pledge to serve with unwavering integrity and dedication. I will serve to produce good laws and support the executive to propagate prosperity in the state. The mandate you have given me will be carried with utmost diligence.”

In a proclamation speech, the governor called for a partnership between the executive and legislative arms of government to foster productive development in Abia, stressing that building meaningful collaboration between both arms would allow for more effective, reliable and productive administration.

He described the legislature as “a crucial part of government” and expressed his readiness to support the house to churn out good laws for the betterment of Abia.

Mr Otti appealed to the legislators to place a premium on the mandate given to them by their constituents by joining him to transform the state into an investors’ haven.

“Our government will be a government of zero excuses and 100 per cent action. I extend a warm handshake to everyone, and I will work with everyone regardless of party affiliations so that we can deliver the real dividend of democracy to our people,” said the Abia governor.

There are 24 parliament members (10 Labour Party, 11 PDP, two Young Progressives Party and one APC).

Of the PDP lawmakers, only four returned from the seventh house.

(NAN)