Guwor, Ayanbem emerge speakers of Delta, C’River Assemblies

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, yesterday, inaugurated the 8th House of Assembly with a 44-year-old two-term member, Emomotimi Guwor, emerging as the Speaker.

Guwor, who represents Warri South West Constituency, was a member of the last Assembly. He was nominated by Fergusson Onwo and seconded by Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, daughter of the immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, of Ika North East Constituency.

Arthur Akpovwovwo, a first timer representing Ethiope East Constituency, was also elected Deputy Speaker. Festus Okoh, representing Ika South, nominated him and was seconded by the member representing Sapele Constituency, Perkins Umukoro.

The election was sequel to proclamation of the 8th Assembly by the governor.

Acting Clerk of the House, Otto Aghoghophia, read the governor’s proclamation letter at about 10:10 a.m. in the Assembly chambers. The Acting Clerk, thereafter, presided over the elections and swearing in of the Speaker and his deputy.

Aghoghopia, in line with the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, administered the oaths of office to them. Guwor, in his acceptance speech, said that the tasks ahead are enormous, promising to pilot affairs of the House with every sense of responsibility, even as he called for maximum support from members and other stakeholders.

He assured that interest of the state would be top priority, saying that the House will perform its constitutional duties diligently without fear or favour, noting that its activities would be centred on advancing vision of the current administration for the state.

ALSO, one of the ranking members of Cross River State House of Assembly,
Elvert Ayanbem, representing Ikom Two Constituency, has been elected as new Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

Ayanbem, who was unanimously elected by the 25 members, yesterday, in Calabar, was the sole nominee for the speakership contest, as his supposed opponent, Hillary Bissong, allegedly stepped down shortly before the exercise.

The election of Ayanbem, who hails from Cross River Central Senatorial District, according to political watchers, has helped balance the power equation in the state.

Governor Bassey Otu is from the Southern zone, while his deputy, Peter Odey, hails from the Northern senatorial district. Meanwhile, the member representing Bekwara Constituency, Sylvester Agabi, clinched the Deputy Speaker position. It was observed that members took cognizance of the ruling party’s zoning formula while making their choices during the exercise.