Uzoezie shines as Speaker, stakeholders support

A coalition of groups in Anambra State has thrown their weight behind the emergence of Hon. Ikem Uzoezie as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

The coalition in a statement by its  chairman, Chief Frank Obidigbo in Awka  on Sunday, said in view of the fact that Uzoezie has demonstrated that it has the majority of the House members, it has no option than to back him.

He said in a  democracy, it is the majority that  determines the direction things will go, stressing that for Hon. Uzoezie to muster the support of over 25 members in a House  of about 30 members was a clear testimony of his popularity over and above the former Speaker, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu.

The Coalition is made up of Anambra Democratic Vanguard, Anambra Traders’Forum, Anambra Leaders of Thought, All Civil Society groups in the State and All Non- Indigenes Associations in Anambra State.

Chief Obidigbo said Hon. Uzoezie has shown that he is a young,dynamic  and vibrant legislator who has the ears of the people, saying that he has sponsored 25 bills in the State House of Assembly, the most important of them all being the Sickle Cell Bill.

The Coalition warns Governor Willie Obiano and the Police to desist from undue interference in the internal affairs of the House.

“The House has every right to determine who presides over its affairs. We are shocked that the former Speaker is still clinging to the office knowing fully that she does not enjoy the support of the majority of the House members.Interference in the  affairs of the House is undemocratic and will not augur well in deepening democracy in the State. It also portends grave danger to the survival of democracy in the State” said Chief Obidigbo.

The Coalition wondered why the former Speaker was still hanging on when the same members who made her the Speaker do not want her again and has withdrawn their support.

The group accused Maduagwu of not  being people friendly but always trying to please the Executive and this is why she has passed only  Executive bills and failed to consent to bills that has issues with the poor.

They said all the people orientated bills presented to the House especially the all important Sickle Cell Bill which has been in the House for more than three years have never seen the light  of the day.

The Coalition called Maduagwu to immediately hands over to Hon. Uzoezie and apologize to the people of the State for stalling the activities of the House for more than three weeks now.

They urged Governor Obiano not to be afraid of impeachment since Uzoezie’s agenda was not to impeach him but to move the State forward.