Imo New Speaker; RT. Hon. Barr. Prince Emeka Nduka And 9th House Legislators

By Sampson Uhuegbu, Owerri

Even before the immediate- past Imo House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh resigned his position as the third citizen of the State, I had a strong premonition that the legislator would end up like his predecessors. In all, Imo has gotten Four (4) Speakers under the Nine (9) months and Three (3) years administrations of the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of PDP and Governor Hope Uzodimma of the ruling party, APC.

The Obowo- born Lawmaker has every cause to appreciate nature for clearing coast for him to have held that exalted position as number one (1) Legislator in the State under which he held sway for about Ten (10) months before his abrupt resignation which has continued to elicit diverse reactions.

Interestingly, the successor (Nduka) of the immediate- past Speaker of the Imo Assembly is an outstanding lawmaker whose capacity can not be misgiven- having known the terrain of legislative processes and challenges facing the IMHA.

The Rt. Hon. Prince Anthony Emeka Nduka is a reliable and responsible leader with elastic capacity. His antecedents and humanitarian services so far on lives of his constituents are speaking for itself in Ehime Mbano.

He is a leader that will reach out everyone; and do the needful to empower and sensitize the grassroots with the happenings in the Legislative house. Recall that Imo people were fed -up with the non- challant attitudes of their representatives in the Assembly but to God be the honour, their prayers have been answered through the swearing-in of Rt. Hon. Nduka who will change the ugly narratives.

It would be remembered that the Isiala Mbano- born one-time Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins led for about Thirteen (13) months- from 2019 to November, 2020. When a vote of no confidence was passed on him by the Honourable members of the House, Chiji was impeached.

He was replaced by the Member for Onuimo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem who served for more than ten (10) months from 2020- the day he was sworn to year 2021.

The House member representing Obowo Local Government Area in the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh was wigged and gavelled last year (2021). Ibeh came, saw and was conquered because of his unnecessary high-handedness. Simply put, Rt. Hon. Ibeh has been out, while Barr. Nduka took over on the 19th day of September, 2022, which was greeted with a rousing jubilation by Imo people.

The subsequent emergence of the Honourable member representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Prince Emeka Nduka, as new Speaker of the House of Assembly- following resignation of Rt. Hon. Ibeh which can be said to have a whiff of noble intentions (though it was not received that way), is a commendable resolve taken by the Imo lawmakers.

To me, his elevation as Imo Speaker is even coming at a later time when the 9th House is winding- up its session. No doubt, he will make an impact. Rt. Hon. Nduka being the only Imo All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate that keenly contested during the 2019 election and won under the ruling party, ought to had been honoured even earlier before now. Let it not be that I am raising dust over a forgotten issue. No wahala.

His representation at the legislative chamber has been superd, effective, selfless and refreshing. Nduka is one of the vibrant lawmakers in that 9th House. Unlike his predecessors whose outings for the good people of Ehime Mbano were nothing to write home about, The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Emeka Nduka had moved motions and sponsored bills that have visibly impacted positively on lives of his constituents and Imo people in general.

Antagonistic and the superiority- complex syndromes of leadership that rocked the Imo House of Assembly in the past, will be clearly jettisoned because Rt. Hon. Nduka is a man of the people who carries everyone along in the scheme of things. A lawmaker who has a penchant for unity of purpose and believes in peaceful- coexistence with his fellow Honourable members.

The new Speaker is expected to recall these suspended Lawmakers: Members representing Mbaitoli; Rt. Hon. Okechukwu Onyekanma and that of Oguta State Constituency; Ekene Nnodimele that were unjustifiably edged out by his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh over what was described as legislative misconduct.

The relationship existed among the present Speaker, Rt. Hon. Barr. Prince Emeka Anthony Nduka and his honourable colleagues are commendable, even before his emergence.

He should therefore ensure that good bills are motions brought up by colleagues are quickly passed Into law for the enhancement of economic development in the State.

Moreso, It is our desire you revive the harmonious relationship with other arms of Government; The Executive and Judiciary. We suppose, under your watch as new Speaker of the House Assembly,

It is now glaringly that the Twenty Seven (27) Imo legislators will always associate themselves with the RT. Hon. Nduka’s exemplary leadership qualities rooted in wisdom, humility and selfless representation.

It is the passionate prayers of Ndimo that God will continue to strengthen him with the legislative enablements towards unlocking the hidden treasures in the 9th Assembly; and bring back to track, the roburstness Imo State House of Assembly was known for.