Ikoro Emerges Ebonyi Assembly Deputy Speaker as Odefa Resigns
From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, has elected Mr. Kingsley Ogbonnaya Ikoro as the new Deputy Speaker of the House following the resignation of Mr. Obasi Odefa Odefa from the office.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abakaliki by Leo Oketa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, stated that the new Deputy Speaker, Ikoro emerged in a peaceful atmosphere of legislative proceedings.
According to Oketa, the election of Mr. Kingsley Ogbonnaya Ikoro as the Deputy Speaker was as a result of the resignation of the former Deputy Speaker, Mr. Odefa Obasi Odefa, as a member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
He further explained: “Reading Odefa’s letter of resignation at the floor of the House, the Honorable Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, noted that Odefa, who represented Onicha East State Constituency at the House, tendered his resignation note, after he (Odefa) consulted duly with his family, selected stakeholders and political associates. This is, as contained in Odefa’s letter, read by Mr. Speaker.
“Following up from the development, the seat of Onicha East State Constituency at Ebonyi State House of Assembly was declared vacant, by the Honourable Speaker – Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
“Before today, the new Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogbonna Ikoro was the Deputy Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly. He represents Afikpo North West State Constituency.
“Another election was conducted as well. Hon. Onu Nwonye (Ohaozara West State Constituency), was elected as the Deputy Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly. He replaced the former Deputy Leader who is now, the Deputy Speaker of the House.
“It is worthy of note, that the former Deputy Speaker, Odefa Obasi Odefa, had on Saturday, February 19, 2022, granted a press statement, affirming his loyalty, commitment and membership to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State Chapter.
“In a rather revealing twist, the Honorable Speaker today at plenary, read a letter from the former Deputy Speaker, dated October 30, 2020, where the latter confirmed his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All progressives Congress (APC). In the letter, Odefa stated that his reason was ‘owing to the unjust treatment meted to the Igbos by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).’
“Other interesting documents in this regard have since come to fore. This chiefly includes the proof of Odefa’s APC Membership Registration in his Oguduokwor Ward, 007 Amofia Obegu Hall 1 polling unit, as 001 in the APC party register. This sprung another document, forwarded by the leadership of APC at the State and Local Government levels, notifying the House and general public that Odefa Obasi Odefa never resigned his APC membership before the press release of February 19, 2022.
“During the proceedings as well, the Honorable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru read two other letters from Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Eziuloh (Afikpo North East) and Hon. Oliver Osi (Ivo), notifying the Honorable Members and the general public of their defections from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“In all, it was a peaceful process. A characteristic nature already embedded in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, under the smooth-sailing leadership of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Honorable Speaker.”
