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Tag: Abia Assembly

  • JUST IN: Abia Assembly swears in PDP lawmaker nine months after court’s judgment

    JUST IN: Abia Assembly swears in PDP lawmaker nine months after court’s judgment

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker for Aba North State Constituency, Hon. Aaron Uzodike was on Tuesday, August 13, sworn in as a member of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly.

    The swearing-in followed a nine-month legal battle that began when an Appeal Court in Lagos disqualified the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Destiny Nwagwu, and declared Uzodike the rightful winner of the 2023 State House of Assembly election.

    Hon. Uzodike had initially contested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration of Destiny Nwagwu as the winner at the Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia.

    Dissatisfied with the tribunal’s ruling, Uzodike’s legal team took the case to the Appeal Court.

    In October 2023, the Appeal Court ruled in Uzodike’s favour, ordering his swearing-in as the Aba North State Constituency lawmaker.

    However, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa had postponed Uzodike’s swearing-in, citing an ongoing court matter related to the case.

    Read Also: APC Diaspora to PDP lawmaker: stop undermining Fed Govt

    Our correspondent reports that the PDP and various interest groups from Aba North State Constituency, the state and the country had in several fora called on both the governor and the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, to swear in Uzodike who would be returning to the State Assembly for the second time in a row after he served as a member of the 7th Assembly.

    The Nation had reported that the delay in the swear-in of the PDP lawmaker couldn’t have been unconnected with the quest of the Labour Party to maintain their hold on the structure of the State Assembly as they continue to push for majority seats in the assembly.

    Our correspondent reports that the long-fought battle between the PDP, the LP, and the leadership of the 8th Assembly in the state came to an end on Tuesday as the Abia State Assembly Speaker sworn in Uzodike during their plenary.

    Sources within the State House of Assembly and the PDP disclosed that there were high-level meetings between the leadership of the Assembly, the state government, and the lawmaker over the week, which suggests that the lawmaker may switch loyalty to the Labour Party now that he has been sworn-in.

    Meanwhile, there hasn’t been any official statement from the state assembly on why they later swore in Uzodike, but PDP sources said that they were monitoring the situation of things and will react accordingly when the time comes.

  • JUST IN: Abia Assembly bars ex-governors, deputies from receiving pensions

    JUST IN: Abia Assembly bars ex-governors, deputies from receiving pensions

    The Abia state House of Assembly has passed into law a bill to repeal the Abia state governors and deputy governors’ pensions Law No 4 of 2001 that legalised the payment of pension and gratuity to former governors and their deputies.

    The Bill which is awaiting the assent of the governor of the state, Alex Otti was sponsored by the Majority Leader and Member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu.

    The passage of the Bill came after it had scaled the first and second readings including the committee stage.

    According to the Abia Assembly speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, the Bill when assented to by the governor would be deemed to have come into effect from March 19.

    Rt. Hon. Emeruwa explained that the Bill would now be known as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024”, adding that the Bill would amongst other merits ensure that what he described as the outrageous cost of governance would be reduced to channel Abia State resources towards the development of the state.

    The law also entertained H.A.B 10: A Bill for a Law to Establish the Abia State Cocoa Development and Marketing Board Bill 2024, Sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Augustin Okezie passed its first reading.

    Read Also: Abia Assembly passes bill to stop pension for ex govs, deputies

    The House further passed for its second reading H.A.B 9: A Bill for a Law to Establish Colleges of Nursing Sciences Owned by Faith-Based and Private Establishments in Abia State and for other related purposes.

    The Bill which is sponsored by the Chief Whip of the house, Hon. Emeka Obioma representing Umuahia South state constituency was committed to the House Committee on Health which was mandated to conduct a public hearing on the Bill and to revert to the house in a month for further legislative actions.

    In a reply to the decision of the Abia lawmakers, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, Onyebuchi Ememanka said: “The attention of the immediate Past Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has been drawn to reports circulating online to the effect that the Abia State House of Assembly has repealed the 2001 Law under which former Governors and Deputy Governors are paid some money as pension.

    “The said reports, which are obviously sponsored, are mischievously couched to give the false impression that Dr Ikpeazu is amongst former Governors of the State currently receiving a pension from the Abia State Government.

    “Dr Okezie Ikpeazu wishes to make it abundantly clear that since after handing over the reins of power as Governor of Abia state on May 29th, 2023, he has neither requested for, nor received from the Abia State Government, any dime under any guise whatsoever, and has no intentions of doing so.

    “Former Governor Ikpeazu has since moved on with his life and is currently engaged in other areas of interest to him and advises the Abia State Government and her various organs to face the business of governance and desist from engaging in needless media sensationalism.”

  • Abia Assembly passes bill to stop pension for ex govs, deputies

    Abia Assembly passes bill to stop pension for ex govs, deputies

    Abia House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill to stop payment of pension to former governors and their deputies in the state.

    It is entitled: “A Bill (H.A.B 11:) for a Law to Revoke The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith.”

    It was sponsored by Mr Uchanna Okoro, the Majority Leader and member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency.

    The Speaker, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the passage of the bill after its first, second reading, consideration at the committee of the whole and its 3rd reading during the day’s plenary.

    Emeruwa, while congratulating members, said that the bill would reduce the state’s governance expenses and redirect resources towards development.

    He said that the bill once assented to by the governor would be referred to as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024.”

    Read Also: Former Abia Assembly deputy speaker dumps PDP for APC

    The Speaker said that bill would take effect immediately, Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the bill, former governors and their deputies will no longer enjoy pension benefits after their tenures have expired.

    NAN further reports that there had been a lot of controversies over the years concerning the outrageous life person and other enviable benefits being paid the governors and their deputies.

    While few states had made moves to repeal the law, many states showed nonchalant attitude toward doing so.

    (NAN)

  • Abia Assembly removes Speaker

    The Abia State House of Assembly yesterday elected a new Speaker, Kennedy Njoku, representing Osisioma-Ngwa North Constituency.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Njoku’s election followed the removal of former Speaker Martins Azubuike, representing Isialangwa North Constituency.

    Deputy Speaker Cosmos Ndukwe, who presided over the plenary, said 20 out of 24 members signed the impeachment notice against Azubuike.

    During the election conducted by the Clerk of the House, Mr John-Pedro Irokansi, Njoku polled 17 votes to defeat Chief Chikwendu Kalu, representing Isialangwa South Constituency, who polled three votes.

    Deputy Leader Solomon Akpulonu, representing Obingwa East Constituency, who moved the motion for Azubuike’s removal, gave reasons for the action.

    He said Azubuike “failed to ensure equitable distribution of positions and powers among members,” adding that he was “insensitive to the rights and needs of members and general staff of the assembly”.

    The lawmaker also said Azubuike’s alleged “autocratic practice has brought the Assembly on collision course with other arms of government and agencies of the state government”.

    Akpulonu added: “He has abused the office of the Speaker by using same for personal and private political interest.

    “Therefore, pursuant to Section 92 (2c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, we, the members of the Assembly, resolved to remove and hereby removed Martins Azubuike as Speaker.”

    In his acceptance speech after his swearing-in, Njoku thanked members for the confidence reposed in him.

    The new Speaker assured that the Assembly under his leadership would make laws for the good governance of the state.

    He said the task ahead of the Assembly was challenging, adding that he appreciated the circumstances surrounding his emergence.

    Addressing reporters, Njoku also pledged to give every member a sense of belonging and avoid “the banana peels” that swept off his predecessor.

    Akpulonu told reporters that efforts to persuade Azubuike to change his autocratic leadership style failed, hence the decision to remove him from office.

    Efforts by reporters to get Azubuike’s reaction on his removal were unsuccessful as he was said to have left before they arrived at his official lodge on Okpara Avenue in Umuahia.

  • Abia Speaker impeached

    The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Martins Okechukwu Azubuike, has been impeached by the lawmakers.

    He was impeached by 20 out of the 24 members of the House on Thursday.

    A member representing Obingwa East State Constituency and Deputy Majority leader of the House, Solomon Akpulonu, who moved the motion, said Azubuike was impeached because he failed to ensure equitable distribution of position among members of the Assembly.

    Akpulonu gave other reasons for the speaker’s impeachment, saying, “he has remained insensitive to the rights and needs of members and general staff of the Assembly.”

    “His autocratic practices have brought the Abia State House of Assembly on collision course with other arms of government and agencies of Abia State. He has abused the office of the speaker by using same for personal and private political interest.”

    “It is therefore in observation of these acts of gross misconduct that we owe the state House of Assembly and Abia State this constitutional service.  Therefore pursuant to section 92 sub section 2 (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, we the members of the Abia State House of Assembly resolved to remove and hereby remove Rt Hon Martins Azubuike, member representing Isiala Ngwa North as Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly.”

    The Deputy Speaker, Cosmos Ndukwe, who presided over the meeting, said the 20 signatories had exceeded the mandatory 16 required by law and moved for nomination of a new speaker.

    He said the development was a matter of urgent public importance.

    Ndukwe said, “With the development, Rt Hon Martins Azubuike ceases to be the Speaker of the House.”

    There was no dissenting voice against what the deputy speaker said and Azubuike was subsequently removed as the speaker of the House.

    He was replaced with a member representing Osisioma North State Constituency, Kennedy Njoku.

    Njoku was nominated by a member representing Obingwa East, Solomon Akpulonu, while the second nomination was made by a member representing Isiala Ngwa South, Chikwendu Kalu.

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  • Abia Assembly passes N16.4b 2016 supplementary bill

    Abia Assembly passes N16.4b 2016 supplementary bill

    The Abia State House of Assembly has passed into law the 2016 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N16,482,299,100 for the services of the state government, ending December 31.
    Speaker Martins Azubuike, who led chaired plenary when the bill was passed, said the law might be cited as Abia State of Nigeria Supplementary Appropriation Law of 2016.
    He said the law became effective on September 1.
    Azubuike said the Assembly also passed into law a Bill to Establish a Joint Salary Fund for the Payment of Salaries of Local Government Employees, Primary School Teachers and Pensioners.
    The Speaker, who announced this after the third reading of the bill, noted that it might be cited as the Abia State Local Government Employees and Primary School Teachers Joint Salary Fund Law, 2016.
    According to him, it became effective on December 19.
    He also announced the passage into law of a bill that seeks to amend the Abia State Local Government Law Number 2 of 2006.
    Azubuike said it might be cited as the Abia State Local Government Law Amendment Number 5, Law of 2016, coming into force on December 19.

  • Abia Assembly passes vote of confidence in governor

    Abia Assembly passes vote of confidence in governor

    The Abia State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence in Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, despite the governorship impasse in the state and near breakdown of law and order.

    This followed the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the election of the governor.

    At plenary on Tuesday, the Assembly passed a vote of implicit confidence in Ikpeazu, following a motion by the member representing Obingwa West Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Thomos Nkoro.

    The lawmaker said the motion was necessary because of the political turmoil that had enveloped the state, following the court verdict.

    He frowned at the conflicting reports from the media and their consequent bandwagon effects on the residents.

    Nkoro said the development had aroused fear among investors and other Abia residents.

    The lawmaker said it was the reason he moved a motion of implicit confidence in the governor and his administration, affirming that Abia had only one government under Ikpeazu.

    Contributors to the motion included members representing Bende North and Deputy Speaker Cosmos Ndukwe; Chukwendu Kanu, for Isiala Ngwa South; Chukwudi Apugo, for Umuahia East and Solomon Akpulonu, for Obingwa East.

  • Okezie inaugurates Abia Assembly

    … Azubuike elected as Speaker

    The 6th Abia State House of Assembly was inaugurated by the Clerk and Permanent Secretary of the House, Johnpedro Irokansi, after reading Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s proclamation.

    Ikpeazu had earlier sent an order of proclamation of the House to the clerk, asking the Assembly to be inaugurated.

    He urged them to eschew rancour and ensure they make laws that will move the state forward.

    The House thereafter went into the election of the Speaker which saw a third term Peoples Democratic Party member, representing Isiala Ngwa North state constituency, Martins Azubike, emerging as Speaker unopposed.

    Cosmos Ndukwe, a former chief of staff to former governor Theodore Orji, emerged the Deputy Speaker after polling 13 votes to edge out Ikedi Ezekwesili of All Progressive Grand Alliance who polled nine votes.

     

  • P-H/Enugu express: Abia Assembly puts pressure on Fed Govt

    P-H/Enugu express: Abia Assembly puts pressure on Fed Govt

    Members of the Abia State House of Assembly have resolved to put pressure on the federal government to fix its roads in the state as many of them have become death traps.

    The House in the resolution urged the federal authorities to declare a state of emergency in respect of its roads in the state.

    Ndukwe Ojukwu, representing Bende North, said the Assembly had earlier summoned the state controller of the Federal Road Maintenance Authority (FERMA), the federal controller of works and the commissioner for works on the bad state of the roads to no avail.

    “We had fruitful discussions but unfortunately nothing has happened,” he said.

    Ojukwu recalled that the Assembly at a point even called a strike to protest the poor state of the roads during which a member of the House collapsed.

    He added:”Now the fifth House has written to the minister of works; nothing has been done because of kidnappings. But now our governor has provided security yet they are not back”.

    Also speaking, the member representing Ukwa West state constituency, Tony Mezie Nwubani said the people of the state gave President Goodluck Jonathan 100% of their votes during the 2011 presidential election and wondered why the state should now be abandoned by the present administration.

    He described the Enugu/Port Harcourt express way as a death trap, saying: “We are calling on the federal government that promised to turn the road into six lanes to just maintain what is there now to stop our people from dying”.

    The member representing Ikwuano, Emeka Osoagbaka said Abia is strategic because it connects the rest of the country with states like Cross River, Akwa Ibom and others in the South South. “ Osoagbaka said that it is time for the state to shout for the people to hear and know what is happening, pointing out that it is the right of the people of the state to have all federal roads in the state reconstructed.