Hi wire manoeuvrings and intrigues are playing out in determining who emerges the Speaker of 9th Imo State House of Assembly.
The House is expected to be inaugurated this week just as the 8th Assembly held its Valedictory session on Monday.
Six lawmakers made a switch to the Peoples Democratic party. Five of them are outgoing members who left the Action Alliance, AA for the ruling party in the State.
A returnee member, Hon.Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano) also quit the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA for the ruling party.
Collins is rumoured to be interested in the Speakership of the 9th Assembly, thus his defection to the PDP may have strengthened the quest of Okigwe zone to produce the Speaker.
The zone had faced fierce opposition from Orlu zone which suddenly signaled interest in the number three position based on the flaw by Okigwe zone which failed to elect a single House member on the PDP platform.
Orlu zone is coming into the race for Speakership with four Members elect.
Nothing is certain at the moment as more members elect are said to have concluded plans to dump their original political platforms that brought them to the State legislature for the PDP.
A member elect from Orlu zone of APGA extraction is very much likely to shift to the PDP to strengthen his chances of clinching the Speakership position.
The members elect who have been held up in Oguta local Government for a retreat are expected to have their inaugural sitting on Thursday.
The quest for Speakership of the ninth Imo Assembly has dominated public discourse in recent times.
The quest for a youthful Speaker has added a new dimension to the race. Two Assembly Speakers below the age of 40 years had emerged in Oyo and Plateau States.
Several variables are involved in selecting a new Speaker. Ranking rule is a factor but there are feelers it may be side stepped.
Many had speculated the influence of the Executives in having a friendly House of Assembly but the State Governor Emeka Ihedioha said at Member Elect retreat in Oguta that he is only interested in a vibrant legislature.
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