The 7th House of Assembly in Abia State, on Friday, ended its legislative business by holding valedictory sessions in two different places.
While the Speaker of the House, Hon Chinedum Orji and the majority of members who are loyal to him had their own valedictory session at the Assembly Complex, the faction loyal to Chikwudi Apugo and Ifeanyi Uchendu held their own session at another venue not disclosed.
In his speech while rounding his job as the Speaker, Hon Chinedum Orji commended his constituents from Umuahia Central for giving him the opportunity to represent them for two terms in the House. He expressed satisfaction with the achievements made by the outgoing House in enacting some Laws that would advance the State.
The Speaker also extolled the good relationship that existed between the legislative and executive arms of the government. Hon Chinedum Orji listed his achievements for his Umuahia Central constituency to include provision of water, rebuilding of schools, youth empowerment among others.
The Speaker while assessing the contributions of the 7th House, said important Laws such as People with Disability Law, Local Government Financial Autonomy Law, Law Prohibiting Violence against persons and the Law allowing females to inherit property were passed by the Assembly. He further listed the prevailing peace in Abia as the greatest legacy of the 7th House.
“The greatest achievement of the State Assembly under my watch is the peace we were able to foster in the State despite the pressure we faced. “One of our biggest challenges had to navigate the political terrain of the state in relation to the executive.
Some people made it a point of duty to ensure that relationship with the executive was broken for selfish reason”, the Speaker said. But in a dramatic turn, the faction of the House loyal to Hon Chikwudi Apugo and Ifeanyi Uchendu held its own valedictory session at an unnamed venue in Umuahia where the members reaffirmed Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu as the outgoing Deputy Speaker.
The factional members, who also insisted that they were more in number, absolved the former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of instigating any crises in the Abia State House of Assembly. The Uchendu faction used the occasion of their valedictory session to congratulate Governor Alex Otti on his electoral victory and advised him to develop the State.
