Abia Speakership: Stop Gov. Otti’s imposition, nominate Erondu or Emeruwa, group to lawmakers
Group, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Integrity Forum, has advised elected members of the Abia State House of Assembly to stop the imposition of Speaker of the house by nominating either Erondu Jnr Erondu or Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa as Speaker.
In a release yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Dr. Francis Nwite, the group applauded the 11 PDP Members Elects for their uncommon perseverance and unity of purpose to ensure that the independence of the 8th Assembly of Abia House remains the citadel of democracy devoid of Executive manipulation and rubber stamp leadership, stating that the beauty of democracy revolves around the house to ensure that Governor Alex Otti must be able to remain accountable to Abians and loyal to the constitution of Nigeria.
the statement reads, “PDP National Integrity Forum has beamed its forensic searchlights on the quality of members who possess impeccable character, capacity, and track records of accomplishment to assume the Speakership of Abia 8th Assembly from Abia South Senatorial district and after thorough assessments, the mantle falls on Hon Erondu Jnr Erondu (PDP Obingwa West) and Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa( LP Aba South).
“After our National caucus meeting on Sunday 28th May 2023 in Aba, Abia with PDP members Elect and other Parties Members Elect in attendance, as enforcers of the resolutions and agreements reached, the nomination of Hon Erondu Jnr Erondu and Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa to the position of Speakership in Abia is sacrosanct and all members Elect must resist all attempts by Governor Alex Otti to impose a neophyte and stooge as Abia Speaker “.
“Our suspicion has been reinforced by the backstage activities of Executive hawks to ensure that Governor Otti’s intentions to have a rubber-stamped Speaker will be floored at the floor of Abia House of Assembly by June 2023. First and foremost the House standing rules that designate only old ranking members to assume the position of Speaker should be annulled, as to pave way for the emergence of Hon Erondu Jnr Erondu or Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa as Speaker. Both are considered as the best for the position.
“Hon Erondu Jnr Erondu is a trusted and tested administrator with a considerable heart to carry out the activities of a Speaker without fear or favor and the Abia House of Assembly under his watch will be independent and will deepen democracy in Abia. On the other hand, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa is a man of integrity and tested ally of the PDP irrespective of decamping and winning the election under Labour Party in Aba South, as Elected Former Executive Chairman of Aba South, his old PDP structure remains formidable and strong till now. The nomination of Emeruwa will upset the plans for Governor Otti to impose neophyte as Speaker, and consequently it will increase the numbers of PDP and decrease the number of Labour Party Members Elect on the Election Day of Mr. Speaker”.