By Onyekachi Eze
In what appears like compensation to the ranking Members of the Imo State House of Assembly for losing out to a first timer to clinch the Speakership position, the House has considered the second timers for Principal status of the 10th Assembly.
At the plenary session of the House on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe announced nominations and recommendation of three political parties on the choice of principal offices.
From the announcement, key players in the 9th House and second timers were favoured to be among the House Leadership.
Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, Member for Owerri West State Constituency, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri Member representing Oru East, Hon. Samuel Chidi Ogbunikpa representing Okigwe, Hon. Eddy Obinna Aboh Mbaise Lawmaker were all appointed Majority Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Majority Leader, Deputy Chief Whip respectively.
Other appointments also announced by the Speaker were the Minority and Deputy Minority Leader which goes to Hon. Osakwe Modestus (Isu, PDP), and Hon. Vitalis Ndubuisi (Ideato South, Accord Party), respectively.
While APC has twenty-five Lawmakers, PDP has one, and Accord Party one.
Recall that the 10th Imo Assembly was inaugurated on June 16, 2023.
The inauguration was heralded inside the hallowed Chamber with an election of the Speaker and his Deputy.
Following the political zoning arrangement in Imo State with the Governor from Orlu zone, and the Deputy Governor from Owerri zone, the slot for Speakership of the Parliament immediately goes to Okigwe zone for balancing.
This process however saw a first timer, the Member for Ihitte/Uboma, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe emerging the Speaker.
The former Deputy Speaker who represents Nwangele State Constituency, Rt Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu was also reelected also emerged the Deputy Speaker.
Baring any unforeseen circumstances and in lieu to the maintenance of the affinity that was supposed to exist among the Lawmakers, hence the appointment of some of the ranking Members to a principal office.
Aside Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh who is a ranking member from Okigwe zone, Ogbunikpa who also retuned for a second tenure was favoured and appointed a deputy majority Leader.
Before the official inauguration of the present House, Ogbunikpa was tipped to emerge the Speaker of the 10th House having not had the opportunity in the 9th House.
Their appointments, Trumpeta Correspondent observed have filled in the vacuum in the Principal Positions of the 10th House.
The next in line this Newspaper gathered will be the allocation of Standing Committees to all the Members for a better oversight functions constitutionally expected of Legislators.
