May 31, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Integrity Forum has called on the eleven Members-elect of the PDP in the Abia State House of Assembly to resist any form of imposition of the next speaker by Governor Alex Otti.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary and Spokesperson of the Forum, Dr. Francis Nwite, applauded the 11 PDP Members-elect for their uncommon perseverance.
According to him, the 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 not rubber stamp leadership must also be appreciated.
It reads: “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.
“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. 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 on the floor of the 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 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 favour and the Abia House of Assembly under his watch will be independent and will deepen democracy in Abia.
“On the other side, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa is a man of integrity and a 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,” he said.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
