Baring any last minute politicking, Hon. Uche Ugwu is set to become the speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly for the 8th Assembly, Journalist101 reports exclusively.
The House is set to be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13th 2023 by 10am according to a statement signed by the Clerk of the House/Head of Legislative Service, Dr Emma Udaya.
JOURNALIST101 reliably gathered that Hon. Ugwu who represents Udi North Constituency is favoured by two factors to become the number 3 man in Enugu State.
According to a ranking member of the House who Hails from Enugu North senatorial zone, Ugwu who’s returning to the house for a second term in office will be deputised by Rt. Hon. Ezenta Ezeani.
The source said “the lawmakers have settled for Ugwu because the house rule favours him and he’s also from Enugu West Senatorial zone which is favoured by the zoning arrangement in the state.
“Any member nominated as speaker or deputy shall be a ranking member who must have successfully completed a four-year tenure in a state House of Assembly,” the source said quoting a part of the standing order of the House, adding that “non of the Labour Party members elect meets this Order.”
The source said who doesn’t want his name in print, also added that only Jane Eneh that represents Awgu North is from Enugu West zone and meets this rule but the lawmakers settled for Ugwu for his meekness and ability to lead the house.
He also that the member representing Igboetiti East Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ezenta Ezeani will be elected as the deputy speaker of the House in accordance with the standing rule of the House.
Why Labour Party that’s in Majority can’t do anything
Investigations by JOURNALIST101 reveals that the order can’t be changed before inauguration, making it impossible for labour party with majority of members to produce the speaker or the deputy.
Before now, Sections 54, 96, 105 and 311 of Nigeria’s Constitution 1999 did not adequately provide regulations on procedures of the first session and inauguration of members-elect of the country’s legislative houses, particularly the State Houses of Assembly.
However, the National Assembly, in 2023, enacted an Act which altered the provisions of the sections to adequately regulate the first session and inauguration of members-elect of both the National and State Houses of Assembly.
With respect to the State Houses of Assembly, the altered provision of Section 105 (4) of the constitution, insists that the standing orders of a state house of assembly before its dissolution must apply in the first session of a new assembly.
“The standing orders of the house of assembly before its dissolution under section 105 of the constitution shall apply in relation to the proceedings of the first session of the state house of assembly convened by the governor pursuant to his powers under this constitution,” the section read.
The implication of this constitutional provision is that the lawmakers-elect cannot change the standing orders of the departing 7th assembly of Enugu State.
Subsection five of the altered section (105) highlighted the period within which the standing orders may be changed.
“The standing orders of a legislative house before its dissolution under section 64 or 105 of this constitution may be modified within such a reasonable time after the inauguration and first session with the proceedings of the newly inaugurated legislative house,” the section states
