Chidi Samuel
Kennedy Njoku, the Speaker of the Abia state house of Assembly, elected under a cloudy atmosphere yesterday has resigned. His resignation was as dramatic as his election on Thursday. The reasons for his resignation is not yet clear but sources within the Abia house of Assembly informed this Newspaper that the vast majority of members were uncomfortable with Njoku given that he is from the same federal constituency with the incumbent Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Hon. Njoku was elected at about 4.10 p.m. on Thursday following the impeachment of Chief Martins Azubuike over alleged gross financial misconduct and autocratic leadership style.
Njoku, who announced his resignation at the resumption of plenary at about 2.50 p.m. on Friday, thanked members for the confidence they reposed in him by electing him as Speaker.
He, however, promised to continue to provide effective representation to his Osisioma-Ngwa State Constituency.
The Deputy Speaker, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, who presided over the session, described Njoku’s resignation as “shocking.”
The Clerk of the House, Mr John-Pedro Irokansi, immediately called for an election to be conducted to fill the vacuum created by Njoku’s resignation.
The member representing Umuahia East Constituency, Mr Chukwudi Apugo, nominated Mr Chikwendu Kalu, representing Isialangwa South Constituency, and was seconded by Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, representing Ohafia South Constituency.
Kalu was elected by consensus and was affirmed with a voice vote by the 24 members of the assembly.
With his election, Kalu, an Aba-based legal practitioner, emerged the tenth Speaker of the sixth Abia Assembly.
Keep a date with us for a more detailed analysis of the intrigue playing out at the Abia House of Assembly.
