From Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia
Less than 24 hours after he was elected the Speaker of the 6th Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Bishop Kennedy Azubuike Njoku, the 9th Speaker of Abia state House of Assembly has resigned his appointment.
He tendered his resignation on the floor of the House shortly after assuming duty as the 9th speaker of the House, stating that he was doing so for personal reasons.
Njoku, contested for the position of the Speaker on Thursday, December 29, 2016, with Hon Chikwendu Enyinnaya Kalu, from Isialangwa South state Constituency , and had an overwhelming victory, by securing 16 votes against 3 votes gotten by his opponent, Kalu.
His resignation gave rise to the necessity of filling the vacuum created by his action as the constitution did not make provision for a vacuum in the House.
Thus , when it was time for the nomination of a candidate to fill the position left by Njoku, ironically, his former opponent, Hon Chikwendu Enyinnaya Kalu , was nominated by Hon Chukwudi Apugo, representing Umuahia East state Constituency and the nomination was seconded and closed when there was no indication for the nomination of another person, by members of the House.
Saturday Sun learnt that Chikwendu Enyinnaya Kalu subsequently accepted the nomination, which was not opposed by any member of the House .He was later to take both the oath of allegiance and oath of office.
Having taken the oaths as the 10th speaker of the Assembly, Kalu thanked the House for finding him worthy of the position.
He also thanked God for the understanding that has been established in the House by members, believing that with the cooperation of members, , the sky would be their limit.
“ I accept this position with all candor, sense of sincerity, and hope that this House can move Abia state forward.”
The new Speaker later performed his first official duty when he received the State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu who presented the 2017 budget to the House.