Ogun inauguration postponed as speakers emerge in Sokoto, Borno, Kano, others

The inauguration of the 10th Ogun State House of Assembly was yesterday postponed to June 20 amid a protest by the members-elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The state legislature is now left without leadership after the 9th assembly was dissolved last week Friday by Governor Dapo Abiodun following the expiration […]

The inauguration of the 10th Ogun State House of Assembly was yesterday postponed to June 20 amid a protest by the members-elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The state legislature is now left without leadership after the 9th assembly was dissolved last week Friday by Governor Dapo Abiodun following the expiration of its lifespan.

The postponement followed an unresolved battle against the candidate anointed as the speaker by Governor Abiodun, Daily Trust gathered.

Our correspondent reports that the immediate past Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, running for re-election, was embroiled in a battle ahead of the assembly’s inauguration.

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Oluomo is currently in court for allegedly diverting N2.5bn belonging to the assembly.

But insiders told our correspondent that Oluomo who narrowly won election for the Ifo I State Constituency during the March 18, elections, might not return as speaker except there was a last-minute resolve between him and his opponents.

Pundits say an erstwhile Deputy Speaker of the house, Oludaisi Elemide, joined the speakership race and was considered a major threat to Oluomo’s re-election.

It was further gathered that apart from the intra-party resistance to Oluomo’s re-election, members-elect of PDP were equally not in agreement with the governor on his choice of Oluomo.

In a statement yesterday, Clerk of the house, Deji Adeyemo, said: “Important announcement. This is to inform you that the holding of the first session of the 10th Assembly of the Ogun State legislature has been postponed to Tuesday, 20th June, 2023.

“Any inconvenience caused by this announcement is regretted.”

Miffed by the development, the eight members-elect of PDP stormed the assembly to protest against the postponement, saying there was no proper communication.

Our correspondent reports that security was beefed around the assembly complex located at Oke Mosan, but the PDP members-elect were allowed into the premises.

Speaking with newsmen at the entrance to the assembly complex, a member-elect, Olalekan Adeleye (PDP- Odogbolu), expressed shock over the postponement and warned against turning Ogun into Nasarawa State where its assembly’s leadership crisis was recorded last week.

Adeleye noted that no letter was issued about the postponement, but a WhatsApp message which not all members-elect were aware of.

He added that the sudden postponement was not the best way to start the present legislature.

NNPP’s Falgore emerges in Kano

In Kano State, the Member for Rogo State Constituency, Jibrin Ismail Falgore, has emerged the Speaker of 10th Kano State House of Assembly.

Falgore, a member of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state, who won the election unopposed, was nominated by Lawal Hussaini (Dala/NNPP) and seconded by a member from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Musa Ali Kachako (Takai).

Similarly, the member-elect from Rimingado/Tofa Constituency, Muhammad Bello Butubutu, of the ruling NNPP emerged as the deputy speaker. He was nominated by Zubairu Hamza Masu (Sumaila/NNPP) and his nomination was seconded by a member of the opposition party (APC) from Gwarzo Constituency.

Daily Trust reports that the NNPP has the majority of the state assembly with 26 members, while the APC has 14 members, making 40 members.

Bodinga emerges in Sokoto

In Sokoto State, a 47-year-old, Tukur Bala Bodinga, has emerged the Speaker of the 10th Sokoto State House of Assembly.

Bala-Bodinga was nominated by Bello Idris (Gwadabawa North/APC) and seconded by Habibu Modachi (Isa/PDP). Kabiru Ibrahim (Kware/APC) was elected as deputy speaker. He was nominated by Aminu Almustaoha Gobir (Sabon Birni South/APC).

Lawan emerges Borno speaker for 4th time

The immediate past Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has emerged the Borno State House of Assembly speaker for the fourth time.

This has made Lawan retain his position as the longest serving state assembly speaker in Nigeria, having spent 12 years of uninterrupted reign, counting four more years.

The Member representing Marte, Gambomi Marte, moved for the nomination of Lawan and was seconded by the member representing Jere, Abba Kyari Kolo.

Also, the house unanimously elected the immediate past Deputy Speaker, Abdullahi Musa, from Askira/Uba Constituency, as the deputy speaker.

Daura emerges Katsina speaker 

The Member representing Daura Constituency, Nasir Yahya Daura, has been sworn in as the Speaker of the 8th Katsina State House of Assembly.

Earlier, the Katsina State Governor, Umaru Dikko Radda, on Tuesday, inaugurated the state assembly following a consensus agreement on Monday at a meeting with the governor and stakeholders from the 34 LGAs.

Clerk of the House, Lawal Dansuleiman, swore in the new Speaker.

LP-dominated Enugu assembly elects PDP member speaker

In a dramatic turn, the Labour Party (LP)-dominated Enugu State House of Assembly has elected a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Hon Uche Ugwu, as its speaker.

The LP has 14 members, while the PDP has 10 in the 24-member assembly. Ugwu is representing Udi North State Constituency.

Ugwu, the immediate past deputy speaker of the house, was nominated by the member representing Nkanu West State Constituency.

Ebonyi assembly elects Oduwa

The member representing Ikwo South State Constituency, Hon Moses Oduwa, has emerged the seventh Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

Oduwa, who is a second timer in the house, was elected unopposed after he was nominated by Hon Nkemka Onuma from Edda West Constituency and seconded by Hon Igiri Godwin of Izzi West Constituency.

C/River gets new speaker, deputy

Similarly, Mr Elvert Ayanbem, representing Ikom 2 Constituency, has been unanimously elected new Speaker of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly.

A three-time member of the 25-man assembly, Hilary Bisong, from Boki 2 Constituency, reportedly stepped down for Ayanbem.

Sylvester Agabi, representing Bekwara Constituency was elected deputy speaker. Both were sworn by the Clerk of the assembly, Aka Bisong.

Physically challenged emerges in Adamawa

Rt Hon Bathiya Wesley, a physically challenged lawmaker representing Hong State Constituency, has emerged the Speaker of the 8th Adamawa State House of Assembly.

Bathiya, who is a member of the People Living with Disability (PWD), said he won the keenly contested election after consulting stakeholders and lobbying his fellow lawmakers.

In a telephone chat with our correspondent immediately after his swearing in, Bathiya revealed that he was a child of destiny and had never regarded himself as a physically challenged person.

He said he was ready to contribute meaningfully to the development of Adamawa State.

First termer gets the seat in Niger

A former Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs in Niger State, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, representing Mariga Constituency in the state assembly, has been elected the speaker of the 10th Assembly in the state.

The former two-term Chairman of Mariga LGA emerged the consensus candidate of the 27-member after being nominated by the Member representing Bida II, Mohammed Haruna, and seconded by the Member representing Borgu Constituency, Abdulrahaman Gambo.

Similarly, the only female member in the 10th Assembly in the state, Afiniki Dauda, representing Gurara Constituency, was elected the deputy speaker

From Peter Moses (Abeokuta), Clement A. Oloyede & Zahraddeen Y. Shuaibu (Kano), Nabob Ogbonna (Abakaliki), Abubakar Imam (Sokoto), Charles (Calabar), Amina Abdullahi (Yola), Abubakar Akote (Minna), Tijjani Ibrahim (Katsina) & Hamisu Kabir Matazu (Maiduguri)