Abia Assembly Postpones Amidst Conflict

The Abia State House of Assembly postponed over the weekend amidst a conflict following the declaration of the remaining key officials by the speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa.

The conflict arose when the 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the 24-member House protested against the declaration of Labour Party (LP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) members as the leaders.

The leaders are Uchenna Okoro, Arochukwu; Destiny Akaraka, Aba North; and Emeka Obioma, Umuahia South as the majority leader, deputy majority leader, and the chief whip respectively.

The other is Iheanacho Wogu, Osioma North, as the deputy chief whip.

The 8th Assembly of the previously PDP-controlled state until February 18, comprised 11 for PDP, LP 10, YPP 2, and the All Progressives Congress one.

Speaking to journalists later, Solomon Akpulonu, Obingwa East; Erondu Uchenna-Erondu, Obingwa West; and Godwin Adiele, Ukwa East argued that the PDP is the majority and should be given the opportunity to fill the positions.

They maintained that the declaration was a blatant breach of the House regulations and was, therefore, unacceptable to them.

They urged the speaker to uphold justice, fairness, and equality for the peaceful coexistence of the members and unity in the House.

The deputy speaker of the House, Augustine Okezie, Umuahia East; Anderson Akaliro, Umuahia North, APC; Wogu, and Fyne Ahuama, Osioma South, YPP; said the decision was made based on a coalition of the three parties to establish the majority.

Asserting that this information had already been communicated to the PDP members during the executive committee session, they appealed to them to accept the decision.