Abia Assembly Screen 7 Commissioner Norminees as Abraham Oba Dumps APGA for PDP

Abia State House of Assembly Plenary for Tuesday, 5th October, 2021.

Welcome to another Legislative Day in the 7th Abia State House of Assembly.

The Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya led Principal Officers into the Hallowed Chambers.

Hon Obinna Ichita, Member representing Aba South State Constituency led the opening prayer.

The Abia State House of Assembly commenced plenary after the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 28th September, 2021.

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Speaker read out a letter from the Governor inviting the House to the solemnization of Holy Matrimony between his son, Jachimike Ikpeazu and Miss Chidinma Onwueyi slated for 28th November, 2021 at the International Conference Center, Umuahia.

The Speaker also announced to the House a letter from Hon Abraham Oba, Member representing Aba Central State Constituency stating that he has officially defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA ) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

ORDER OF THE DAY

In a motion moved by Hon Paul Taribo, the Deputy Leader of the House and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, items H.A.B. 43 and H.A.B 45 were deferred to be considered on another Legislative Day.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

Presentation of the Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on screening of the following:

a. Commissioner Nominees
b. Civil Service Commission Membership Nominees
c. Local Government Service Commission Membership Nominees

In a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon Solomon Akpulonu and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, the House adopted the report of the ad-hoc committee as a working document.

SCREENING OF COMMISSIONER NOMINEES

In a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon Solomon Akpulonu and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, the House dissolved into a quasi plenary session for the purpose of screening the Commissioner Nominees.

The Sergeant-At-Arms ushered in the first nominee, Chief Chinagorom Nwankpa from Isialangwa South Local Government Area.

The Speaker welcomed him to the chamber and asked him to identify the Member representing him.

The nominee identified Rt Hon Chikwendu Enyinnaya Kalu as the member representing him in the House.

Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu said the nominee was well known to him and described him as a seasoned administrator who has served the State in various capacities.

After questions from House Members, the Speaker asked the nominee to take a bow and exit.

The Sergeant-At-Arms ushered in the next nominee, Mazi Donatus Okorie from Arochukwu Local Government Area.

The Speaker welcomed him to the chamber and told the House that Hon Mike Onyekwere Ukoha the member representing the nominee was unavoidably absent but that he asked the Minority Leader to stand in for him.

Hon Chijioke Chukwu told the House that the nominee was a well known personality who has served the State in various capacities.

Due to the age controversies that have trailed the nominee since his nomination was announced, the House Members asked the nominee some questions surrounfing his age. He gave answers satisfactory to the Members

The Speaker asked the nominee to take a bow and exit after his academic certificates were further examined.

The next Commissioner nominee was Mrs Adaku Uwaoma Oseiza from Umuahia South Local Government Area. She identified Hon Jerry Uzosike as his representative.

Hon Jerry Uzosike told the House that Mrs Oseiza is a formidable tool in the economic planning of the state and that she has served in various capacities.

After questions from House Members, the Speaker said he was convinced that the nominee would bring her wealth of experience to the development of the State.

The Speaker asked the nominee to take a bow and exit.

The Sergeant-At-Arms ushered in Chief Sopuruchi Bekee from Obingwa Local Government Area. The nominee identified Hon Thomas A.C. Nkoro as his representative.

After remarks by Members, the Speaker asked the nominee to take a bow and exit the chamber.

Thereafter, Barr Eze Chikamnayo from Umunneochi Local Government Area was ushered into the chamber. He identified Hon Okey Igwe as his representative.

The Speaker said since the nominee was in the House for a similar exercise few months ago, there was no need subjecting him to another screening exercise but advised him to meet his representative and seek ways of working together with him without frictions.

The Speaker asked him to take a bow and exit.

The Sergeant-At-Arms ushered in Mr Ugochukwu Emezue who identified Hon Chukwudi Apugo as his representative.

The Speaker welcomed the nominee and said in recognition of his efforts and commitment to the cause of the State, he would advise the nominee was allowed to take a bow and leave.

The House Members obliged and Mr Emezue took a bow and exited the chamber.

The last nominee in this batch of commissioner nominees screened today was Chief Godswill Uche Nwanoruo from Osisioma Local Government Area.

The Speaker welcomed him to the chamber and asked him to identify his representative.

Chief Nwanoruo identified Hon Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu as the House Member representing his constituency.

After questions from the House Members and having given satisfactory answers, the Speaker asked the nominee to take a bow and leave the chamber.

In a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon Solomon Akpulonu and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, the House reverted back to full plenary.

Reporting what transpired at the quasi plenary session, the Speaker said the House successfully screened seven commissioner nominees and would continue tomorrow to screen other nominees.

ADJOURNMENT.

Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Majority Leader of the House, moved that plenary be adjourned to another Legislative Day.

The Minority Leader, Hon Chijioke Chukwu seconded the motion.

Plenary was therefore adjourned to Wednesday, 6th October, 2021.

Courtesy: Media Unit, Office of the Rt Hon Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly.