Labour Party Member Emerges Abia Assembly Speaker
The Abia State House of Assembly has sworn in Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa, a member of the Labour Party (LP), as its speaker. Emeruwa’s emergence is significant given that the position has always been occupied by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This comes only a few weeks after the state elected a governor from the Labour Party, Alex Otti. The emergence of both of these officials has set tongues wagging in the political sphere.
Emeruwa was nominated by Stephen Ucheonye, a member representing Aba Central, and seconded by Emeka Obioma, a member representing Umuahia South. Austine Okezie, who represents Umuahia East, was elected as deputy speaker.
The situation, however, became heated during the election of the deputy speaker, as the clerk of the House, Johnpedro Irokansi, ignored Solomon Akpulonu, who wished to make a nomination. The situation led to a shouting match between the clerk and Mandela Obasi, a member representing Ohafia North, who accused Irokansi of bias.
Many are left wondering what this will mean for the political climate of the state.
