Abia Assembly Adjourns Amidst Rift

The Abia State House of Assembly adjourned at the weekend amidst a rift following the announcement of the remaining principal officers by the speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa.

The rift began when the 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the 24-member House protested against the announcement 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 hitherto PDP-controlled state until February 18, comprised 11 for PDP, LP 10, YPP 2, and the All Progressives Congress one.

Addressing newsmen later, Solomon Akpulonu, Obingwa East; Erondu Uchenna-Erondu, Obingwa West; and Godwin Adiele, Ukwa East argued that the PDP is in the majority and should be allowed to fill the positions.

They maintained that the announcement was a flagrant violation of the House rules and was, therefore, unacceptable to them.

They called on the speaker to tow the path of justice, fairness and equity for the peaceful coexistence of the members and harmony 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 based on a coalition of the three parties to form the majority.

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