The principle officers of the Imo State House of Assembly on Friday presented Hon. Paul Emeziem representing Onuimo State Constituency as the new Speaker of the 27-member Assembly to Governor Hope Uzodimma.
It was on a day the removed Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins also congratulated his successor, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem who was elected to replace him the same day.
Collins did shortly after the leadership of the Assembly presented the new Speaker to Governor Uzodimma on Friday.
The Governor was told that Rt. Hon Paul Emeziem, was enthroned in a rancour-free exercise at a Special Session to replace the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Collins.
Welcoming the Assembly members at the Exco Chambers of the Imo State Government House, Governor Uzodimma told the lawmakers to see themselves as servants of their colleagues and to bear in mind that all of them were elected on equal ticket.
The Governor described the change as a normal thing in the legislative arm and that there is need to continue to encourage the House of Assembly to always look out for the best. Governor Uzodimma said: “Every House will continue to search for quality and brilliant leadership that will help grow the democracy.’’
He therefore charged the lawmakers to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and service to their colleagues, State and Nation at large. The Governor said the change that took place is nothing worth taking life, noting that “once the followers and/or colleagues of a leader express discontent about the leader, the leader should either address their concerns or flow with them.”
He welcomed the new Speaker, his principle officers and colleagues and urged them to “see themselves as brothers and sisters that they have always been.”
He reminded them that government is a continuum saying, “you serve in one capacity today and in another tomorrow,” and advised them to have the fear of God and to tolerate one another “and they will excel in all positions they find themselves.”
The Governor also pledged to walk with the new Speaker and the entire Assembly to grow democracy in Imo State and Nigeria in general.
In his remarks, the new Speaker, Rt Hon. Emeziem expressed gratitude to his colleagues for finding him worthy to lead them at this point in time, saying he is overwhelmed with joy.
Earlier while presenting the new Speaker to the Governor, the Deputy Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu explained that the House unilaterally decided to effect a change to save the All Progressive Congress members who are in the majority in the Imo House from imminent danger as a result of poor leadership and legislative inexperience from the former Speaker.
He said 19 out of the 27 members were in support of the former Speaker’s removal.
Oguwike Nwachuku
CPS/Media Adviser to the Governor, Imo State