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Njoku resigns as Abia speaker, Kalu emerges

By Editor
31 December 2016   |   4:22 am
Shortly after, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu presented next year’s Appropriation Bill to the Assembly, presided over by Kalu.

 

…Ikpeazu Presents Budget

The political drama playing out in Abia State continued yesterday with the resignation of Bishop Kennedy Njoku as Speaker, less than 24 hours after his emergence, following the removal of his predecessor, Chief Martins Azubuike.

Chikwendu Kalu was subsequently elected Speaker.

Shortly after, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu presented next year’s Appropriation Bill to the Assembly, presided over by Kalu.

Njoku, who was on Thursday elected the 6th Speaker of the Assembly following the impeachment of Azubuike over alleged gross financial misconduct and autocratic leadership style, announced his resignation “on personal grounds.”

But yesterday, shortly he was ushered into the hallowed chambers and after the opening formalities, he announced his resignation.

Kalu, representing Isiala-Ngwa South, who was the sole nominee for the position, was elected by voice vote and immediately sworn in by the Clerk of the Assembly.

Njoku, who announced his resignation at the resumption of plenary about 2.50 p.m., thanked members for the confidence they reposed in him by electing him as Speaker.

He, however, promised to continue to provide effective representation to his Osisioma-Ngwa State Constituency.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe, who presided over the session, described Njoku’s resignation as “shocking.”

The Clerk of the House, Mr. John-Pedro Irokansi, immediately called for an election to be conducted to fill the vacuum created by Njoku’s resignation.

The member representing Umuahia East Constituency, Mr. Chukwudi Apugo, nominated Kalu and was seconded by Mr. Ifeanyi Uchendu, representing Ohafia South Constituency.

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