The eighth session of Anambra State House of Assembly was inaugurated before the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, who was present during the inaugural session.
The member representing Ogbaru II Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, emerged as the Speaker of the state assembly.
The lawmaker emerged as the Speaker on Monday, June 12, after he was unanimously elected by the 30 members of the eighth Assembly at the State House of Assembly Complex in Awka, the State capital.
Moreover, Udeze took over from Uchenna Okafor, who failed to secure re-election during the March 2023 election.
He was nominated for the position by the member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Ikenna Ofodeme, and seconded by the member representing Awka North, Chimezie Ikwunne.
The member representing Awka South II Constituency, Chukwuma Okoye was also elected the Deputy Speaker.
Similarly , Udeze was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but recently defected to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
During the ceremony, which also had in attendance, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the member representing the Awka South II Constituency, Chukwuma Okoye, emerged as the deputy speaker of the house, following a voice vote by the lawmakers.
Both of them were sworn in by the acting clerk of the House, Esther Aneto, who also decorated the new Speaker to succeed the outgone Speaker, Uchenna Okafor.
In his speech during the event, the governor described the legislature as a crucial partner in the quest for good governance and delivering dividends of democracy.
He said, “I congratulate our newly inaugurated legislators. Irrespective of your different party affiliations, you have been employed by the people to ensure that Anambra blossoms.
The new speaker, in his inaugural speech, promised to improve the welfare and security of the people through developmental-oriented bills and motions as well as serve as an effective watchdog of the state’s commonwealth.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for electing me as the Speaker. The 8th Assembly under my watch will foster a relationship with the executive and the judiciary based on cooperation and mutual respect.,” he said.
