- How Uzodinma’s loyalists vanquished Ararauma’s followers, Kicked out Collins
In the game of musical chairs and power tussle within the Imo State House of Assembly, loyalists of Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma appear to have successfully taken control of the leadership of the state House of Assembly.
In a strong message to indicate that forces loyal to the state governor, Uzodinma are consolidating their hold, and effective control of the House of the Assembly, the state legislators immediately took the new speaker to Government House to pledge their commitment to a harmonious working relationship with the Governor.
In fact, The New Diplomat’s checks reveal that it was furtherance of this that principal officers of the Imo State House of Assembly, on Friday, visited Governor Uzodinma and presented the newly elected speaker, Paul Emeziem, representing Onuimo State Constituency, to him.
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With the ouster of of Chiji Collins as speaker, Paul Emeziem, became the new Speaker of the 27-member House of Assembly. The impeached speaker, Collins is regarded as an Araraume’s boy as they both hail from the same local government area of the state.
Araraume is believed to have sponsored Collins for the House of Assembly’s seat and he still maintains a close relationship with him. Within the power intrigues in the state, Araraume has not been seen as a keen supporter of Senator Uzodinma’s government.
This development was considered a mark of disloyalty to the Uzodinma’s forces who believe that it would be in the governor’s political interest to seize total control of the leadership of the State House of Assembly for effective synergy between the executive and the legislature.
Meanwhile, at the Government House EXCO Chambers where legislators gathered to present Emeziem, Uzodinma was told by House members that Emeziem was chosen by his fellow own legislators at a Special Session to take- over from Collins for various reasons including the need to inject competent leadership in the affairs of the House.
While welcoming the Assembly members to Government House, Uzodimma urged the legislators to “see themselves as servants of their colleagues and to bear in mind that all of them were elected on equal ticket.”
The governor who described the change in leadership as a normal legislative process within the legislature told the House of Assembly members to always look out for the best and most brilliant among them.
He said: “Every House will continue to search for quality and brilliant leadership that will help grow the democracy.’’
He also charged the lawmakers to key into the spirit of sportsmanship and service to the state and the nation, stressing that they should remember that their duty about service.
According to Uzodinma “once the followers and/or colleagues of a leader express discontent about the leader, the leader should either address their concerns or flow with them.”
While welcoming the new Speaker, other principal officers and members of the House of Assembly present , Uzodinma also appealed to them to “see themselves as brothers and sisters that they have always been.”
He advised them that government is all about service to the people, stressing , “you serve in one capacity today and in another tomorrow.”
The governor also pledged to work with the new Speaker and the entire Assembly to in order to advance the cause of democracy in Imo State and Nigeria in general.
In his brief comments, Emeziem thanked his colleagues for their faith in him and for finding him worthy to lead them “at this point in time.”
Earlier on while presenting the new Speaker to the Governor, the Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, had explained that the House opted to oust the former speaker to save the All Progressive Congress (APC) members who are in the majority in the Imo House from imminent danger as a result of poor and ineffective leadership.
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