A clearer picture of who occupies what position in the newly inaugurated Imo State House of Assembly will manifest today with few selected persons emerging as principal officers.
The election of Hon Acho Ihim and Ugonna Ozuruigbo, as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively was followed by caucus meetings of different groups based on party lines to elect remaining persons for the statutory offices. Today was re-scheduled for continuation of plenary session after first adjournment.
Members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, who are in the majority are reported to have penciled down and agreed on the nomination of Lugard Osuji, representing Owerri Municipal against the earlier permutation that Chidi Lloyd of Owerri North State Constituency would emerged. Ranking member, Ikechukwu Amuka is also tipped to become the Deputy Majority Leader based on his ranking status.
Trumpeta was told that on resumption today (Tuesday) Osuji will be confirmed Majority Leader. His choice against Lloyd was predicated on the need to balance power sharing among APC stakeholders in the state. Lloyd was knocked off from the position reserved for Owerri zone because the newly appointed secretary to the state government, Chief Jude Ejiogu is from Owerri North. While the Mbaise block has APC state chairman, Mbaitoli/Ikeduru took home the Deputy Governor position for Owerri Federal Constituency to settle with Majority Leader seat.
Okorocha was said to have in one function with the new lawmakers showed Lloyd the Majority Leader’s office during inspection of the renovated assembly complex.
Other offices that have been grabbed is that of the Chief whip and Minority Leader where Chinedu Offor and Lady Joy Mbawuike picked the positions respectively. Mbawuike came up against earlier tipped Obinna Egu of Ngor-Okpala pre-inauguration rumours carried in the media identified Egu as Minority leader.
Meanwhile, Socio-political crusader, Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha has for the second time cautioned the new Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Acho Ihim over the alleged plan to retain senior aides of the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu.
Citizen Samuelson maintained that retaining those officials by Dr. Ihim would mean inheriting Uwajumogu’s problems, battles and troubles as he would not sheath his sword against the office of the Speaker. Citizen Iwuoha has therefore pleaded with the Clerk of the House of House,
Chief Sir Chris Duru and the other Honourable members, including Political and Religious leaders in the State to talk sense into Rt. Hon. Acho Ihim so that he would not make the mistake of inheriting Uwajumogu’s problems by attempting to retain any of those senior aides
whose names he listed as follows (1) Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe (2) Emeka
Ahaneku (3) Godson Amadikwa (4) Kinglsey Ndubueze (5) Mr. Dan Orji (6)
Mr. Ugwu (7) Mr. Ifeanyi Nwannenna etc.
Few days ago, Citizen Samuelson had congratulated the new Speaker on his emergence but strictly cautioned him never to retain Uwajumogu’s senior aides over their criminal, fraudulent alleged misdemeanour that led to his battles with the office of the speaker. Hear him “The only condition for me not to attack the office of the speaker is for the new speaker not to retain those suspected criminals parading themselves as Uwajumogu’s senior aides. Dr. Acho Ihim must not inherit Uwajumogu’s problems. I am not ready to sheath my sword against the
office if he retains those boys. Let Dr. Acho Ihim recruit his own aides from his campaign organization and from credible citizens across the State. Acho Ihim is already aware of this caution even before his emergence as speaker. I spoke with him weeks before his emergence. Even on the day of his inauguration as speaker, he called me and I repeated my stand that he must never retain any senior aide of Uwajumogu. If he disregards this honest appeal, let nobody blame me.
“Rt. Hon. Dr. Acho Ihim knows that I am an authority in legislative matters and he would not like me to spoil things for him. The rain will surely beat him if he disregards this humble appeal. I am already in the boxing ring waiting. I am therefore calling on the clerk of the House, Chief Chris Duru, other Honourable members and indeed our respected political and religious leaders to talk to Rt. Hon. Dr. Acho Ihim. I have nothing against him. I have an unfinished business with Uwajumogu and his senior aides” Citizen Samuelson concluded.
