All members of the Imo State House of Assembly attended the sitting today- the first after crisis enveloped the House which culminated in the resignation of the Majority Leader, Hon.Lugard Osuji and two other principal officers.
The House members split into two after issues arose over the negligence of the lawmakers by the Executives.
However, all House members were said to have trooped to Government House, Owerri today, a day before the 2018 budget presentation by the Governor. Further talks will continue tonight.
One of the principal officers was alleged to have apologized for his actions. This was confirmed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Marcel Ekwezuo.
In a statement, he said the purported crisis allegedly rocking the House has been thrown to the winds.
Mr. Marcel Ekwezuo, stated that virtually all the revered members of the House were seen in high spirits and oneness as proceedings of the House progressed.
The statement quotes a letter from the cabinet office, Government House Owerri, signed by Sir Eche George, Secretary to the Government of Imo state dated 8th December, 2017 and was read at the floor of the house by the Speaker, Rt. Honourable (Dr.) Acho Ihim as saying, “I am very pleased to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of our dear State is ready with his financial proposals for 2018, (tagged Budget of consolidation and continuity III) and plans to present same to the House at 10:00am on Wednesday, the 13th day of December, 2017.
Venue remains the hallowed chambers of Imo state House of Assembly. I am therefore to humbly request that you graciously approve and organize this activity seamlessly….”
Meanwhile, the new chief whip of Imo State House of Assembly, Honourable Arthur Egwim representing Ideato North State Constituency has assumed duties with Honourable Obinna Egu representing Ngor Okpala state constituency assuming the position of deputy chief whip.
.
House Standing Committees Dissolved.
The Imo state House of Assembly led by the speaker,Rt.Hon.Acho Ihim has announced the dissolution of all House standing committees until further notice,even as it informed,that,it will only retain the office of the minority leader of the opposition parties in the leadership of the Assembly for reasons of economic hardship facing the state legislature.
In his speech at the close of Tuesday’s plenary,the speaker,Ihim,also,informed that,the suspended former majority leader,Hon.Lugard Osuji(Owerri Municipal),and former deputy majority leader,Hon.Kennedy Ibe(Obowo) remain suspended,as the Assembly named Hon.Arthur Egwim(Ideato-North),as Chief Whip,and Hon.Obinna Egu(Ngor-Okpala) as deputy chief whip of the state Assembly with immediate effect.
It would be recalled that,the dissolution of the House-standing committees is not unconnected with last week’s rift in the leadership which rendered counter-productive the attempt to suspend the clerk of House,Barr.Chris Duru in a motion moved and seconded by the suspended ex-majority and deputy majority of the state House of Assembly,which was also,adjudged as’insurbordination’ to the speaker Acho Ihim-led IMHA.Hon.Max Odunze,former chief whip was also suspended.
In another development,the Assembly,has said that it is set to receive the 2018 Budget presentation on Wednesday,December,13,2017,by the executive governor of Imo state,Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
2018 Budget To Be Presented Dec.13
Meanwhile, Gov. Okorocha will present the 2018 budge on 13th of Dec., Wednesday, 2017, at the Imo House of Assembly, Owerri.
It was gathered that all political appointees, SDCs, CGCs, Traditional Rulers, Security Agents, Stakeholders, Eminent Imo people as well as the clergies are expected to be present and hear His Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, the Executive Governor of Imo State, speak. The time is 9am.
