Engineer Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, the immediate past majority leader of the 6th Abia state House of Assembly and son of former governor Theodore Orji has been elected speaker of the 7th Abia House of Assembly.
Engr Orji emerged the winner unopposed Monday during the inauguration ceremony of the 7th house held at the Assembly Complex, Umuahia.
Last Friday Abia state governor Dr Okezie IKpeazu had proclaimed end of the 6th house and directed the inauguration of then7th house in line with power vested on him by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Orji was nominated by the member-elect Hon Munachim Alozie representing Ugwunagbo state constituency and seconded by Hon Ginger Onwusibe, member representing Isiala Ngwa North state constituency.
In the same vein, Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu of Ohafia South emerged as the deputy speaker, while Hon Solomon Akpulonu member representing Obingwa East was elected the majority leader, even as Hon Abraham Oba member representing Aba Central- an APGA member was returned as minority leader respectively.
Meanwhile, Hon Paul Taribo representing Ukwa East was elected the chief whip, and Hon Chijioke Chukwu Bende North of the APC was also elected as minority whip to complete the positions for principal officers of the house.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected speaker commended his colleagues for the confidence reposed on him and pledged that he would not disappoint them.
He promised to run an all inclusive 7th house devoid of discriminations and urged members to brace up for the challenges ahead, noting that the task before them was enormous.
Orji said youth empowerment and employment would take the center stage and assured that the legislature would work harmoniously with the executive to meet the yearnings of the people.
