The battle for the
Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly is deepening.
Lawmakers and their supporters are bickering
over who gets the coveted position.
Sources said
Governor Willie Obiano and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand
Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh might clash over who becomes the Speaker in
June.
Anambra South is
seen to be the area strong enough to produce the Speaker since the governor is
from the North.
The contestants
are Rita Maduagwu (Nnewi South), Nikky Ugochukwu (Orumba South), Ikem Uzoezie
(Aguata I) and Ikechukwu Umeh (Aguata II).
Some members said
the position had not been zoned, as Obiano had shown no interest.
Chugbo Enwezor
(Onitsha North) is being speculated to succeed Chinwe Nwaebili.
A lawmaker said
the most qualified for the position is Enwezor, being a lawyer and the longest
APGA legislator.
But it was learnt
that Obiano had interest in Maduagwu while Umeh is promoting his cousin,
Uzoezie.
A lawmaker said:
“Section 92, sub-section (I) says there will be a Speaker and Deputy Speaker,
who shall be elected by members of the House among themselves’, therefore the
issue of zoning being rumoured is unconstitutional.”
He added that it
was only APGA or the governor that could call a meeting where decisions would
be taken, adding that such had not happened for now.
Speaking , a
source said “the governor settled for Maduagwu, but Umeh’s chioce is Uzoezie.
“If Peter Obi had
remained, the choice would have been Ugochukwu, but as things stand now,
Maduagwu is likely to grab it. Some legislators are gunning for Enwezor
(Onitsha North) because of his experience.
“Some of us are
not comfortable with the situation because it may bring another division in
APGA between Umeh and Obiano, the same thing that almost happened in the choice
of Nwaebili and Enwezor in 2011.
‘There are moves
by Obiano, Umeh and some chieftains of APGA on the issue, some people believe
that the Speakership should move to the South, while the Central takes the next
turn,” the source said.
The Nation
Battle for Anambra Speaker intensifies as Umeh may clash with Obiano
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Friday, April 24, 2015
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