For several political calculations, the person to occupy Anambra state House of Assembly speakership position needs to go through the Biblical eye of a needle as OKEY CHRIS reports.
In Anambra state, all eyes are on who becomes the speaker of the 7th assembly to be inaugurated on June 12, 2019. This is because the official result released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that the incoming legislative chamber would be dominated by 29 males and one female. 24 are All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) faithful, while six are chieftains of the People Democratic Party (PDP).
The calculations based on election results
The 24 lawmakers elected on the platform of APGA comprise two third-timers, nine second-timers and 13 green horns; while of the six PDP members, three new and three second timers. APGA, the party at majority would expectedly produce the speaker, deputy speaker, chairman of appropriation committee and heads of other notable principal offices.
Actually, these legislative offices would be occupied by high-ranking members like third timers and second timers in APGA. Although it is not certain where the APGA zoned these offices to, however, Anambra South stands a better chance of occupying the number two position since Governor Willie Obiano and his deputy, Nkem Okeke, are from Anambra North and Central, respectively.
But lawmakers-elect from the central district might also have eyes on the seat, probably because the south, which currently holds unto the seat, is billed to produces the next governor, in 2021. Perhaps, this accounts for why Rt Hon Eucharia Anazodo Anambra South became speaker in 2003 when Dr Chris Ngige (Anambra Central) was governor.
Also, Rt Hon Mike Belonwu, from Anambra North took over from her after the Ngige kidnap ssag. Rt Hon Anayo Nnebe (Anambra Central) was saddled with the responsibility in 2007 when Andy Ubah became governor for 16 days and continued even when Peter Obi defeated PDP at the Supreme Court and Rt Hon Chinwe Nwaebili (of Anambra North) took over till 2015 when Rita Maduagwu (Anambra South) emerged. Anambra North had in 2014 produced a governor in Chief Willie Obiano.
The current speaker, Rt Hon Rita Maduagwu, whose tenure ends in June, could have continued on the seat till 2021 when governorship election shall be conducted in the state, but she lost her quest to represent Nnewi South II state Constituency the third term to the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Johnbosco Akaegbobi. The loss may not be unconnected with the controversial APGA primary poll whose outcome showed her rival as an alleged winner, but certificate of return was rather presented to her instead.
Those the odds may favour
As it stands, the highest-ranking members of the yet-to- be inaugurated 7th Assembly are likely two members of the 6th assembly returning for the third times under APGA. They are Hon Mrs Beverely Ikpeazu, Onitsha South II and Obinna Chris Emenaka, Anambra East. Both are from Anambra North where Governor Obiano hails from, hence, not qualified for the crown, if equity must playout. Besides, Emeneka is representing Obiano’s constituency. He might retain his position of chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation, and might also emerge, majority leader.
Therefore, Ikpeazu might be chosen being the only female that made it to the 7th assembly and Anambra since Peter Obi’s second term till date pitched interest in producing female speakers. Again, the odd favours her because her brother, Mr Onyebuchi Ikpeazu (SAN) had been on legal team of the APGA led government.
Other legislators well positioned to clinch the speakership office are any of the nine APGA second term members such as Uche Okafor, Ayamelum; Edward Ibuzo, Onitsha North II; Chidi Udemadu, Ihiala I; Pascal Agbodike, Ihiala II; Godwin Okafor, Awka South I; Lawrence Ezeudu, Dunukofia; Fabian Ezenwunne, Idemmili South; Timothy Ifedioranma, Njikoka I; and Pete Ibida, Njikoka II. But Uche Okafor and Edward Ibuzo are from Anambra North.
Only Udemadu and Agbodike hail from Anambra South. Their chances are bright considering their respective support to outgoing speaker Maduagwu when she was ‘fighting’ to retain her seat with the support of Governor Obiano. In fact, Agbodike was suspended by the factional speaker, Ikemefune Uzoezie as at the time Maduagwu was impeached last year.
However, apart from their loyalty to the state executive, none of the two have oral or financial muscles to fly the flag. But political observers consider Agbodike as the next speaker because the governor sees him as a willing tool to the heart of other lawmakers.
Other arrow heads likely to become the speakers of 7thAssembly, if zoned to the central are either Lawrence Ezeudu, Godwin Okafor, Fabian Chuka Ezenwunne, Timothy Ifedioranma and Pete Ibida. Okafor might not be favoured having come from Awka which produced former speaker, Anayo Nnebe (2007 to 2011). Ezenwunne is a lawyer but Ibida commands more respect than him financially and otherwise.
Similarly, Ifedioranma is Bishop/GO of a pentecostal church while Obiano and Okeke are Catholic and Anglican, respectively.
Anambra is a den of religious politics. Catholic had been at helm of her affairs since Chinweoke Mbadinuju, a pentecostal lost his second term bid in 2003. So, the odd might be or might not be by the side of Ifedioranma. Ezeudu, on the other hand is from Ifitedunu, Dunukofia LGA, the home of Engr Arthur Eze, whose influence might add salt or iodine to the injury.
Notwithstanding, both the nine second timers and two third timers would occupy important positions in the 7th Assembly. Other 13 law makers under APGA are all new comers. They include Ejike Alloy Okechukwu, Anaocha II; Charles Obimma, Oyi; John Nwokoye, Awka North; Chukwuma Pius Okoye, Awka South II; Arthur Ifeanyi Chekwu, Idemili North; Patrick Udoba, Anambra West; and Uzoma Eli, Onitsha South I, who replaced Hon Patrick Aniunoh who died barely a week to the election.
Others are, Dike Nnamdi Umeduagu, Aguata I; Okechukwu Isaac Okoye, Aguata I; Nonso Smart, Nnewi North; Sonny Fredrick Ozobialu, Nnewi South I; Emeka Aforka, Orumba North; Emmanuel Obinna Nwafor, Orumba South.
On the PDP side, minority leadership position is between the three second timers namely, Hon Onyebuchi Offor, Ekwusigo; Hon Somto Udeze, Ogbaru I; and Hon Ebere Ejiofor, Anaocha I constituency. Offor is the outgoing minority leader, while Udeze only cross-carpeted from APGA to PDP last year.
Ejiofor represented his constituency under APGA in the 2011 to 2015 legislative year. He was defeated by the incumbent and candidate of APGA, Azubuike Okoye at 2015 APGA primary. At the main election, INEC declared PDP candidate, Francis Okoye winner only to be retired at the Appeal Court by Azubuike Okoye after about two years of shuttling between court and legislative business. The likely factor that would rob Ejiofor the minority leadership seat is former Governor Peter Obi, his constituent. Obiano and APGA might view him as a mole sent by his boss and ‘political enemy’ to spy and possibly ‘destroy’ his administration.
Similarly, the three first timers in the 7th assembly under PDP are Noble Igwe, Ogbaru I; Douglas Nwachukwu Egbuna, Onitsha North I; and Johnbosco Akaegbobi, Nnewi South II state constituencies.
