Battle for Speakership Thickens, as Kogi Assembly Holds Valedictory Session.

Kogiflame.com

The Kogi State house of Assembly on Monday held its valedictory session marking an end to the sixth legislative business, as battle for Speakership thickens.

It was learnt that, out of the 25 lawmakers in the sixth Assembly, nine will be returning while 16 will be fresh lawmakers for the seventh legislative session.

The sixth Assembly was inaugurated on Thursday 4th June, 2015 by former Kogi State Governor Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada who also issued a proclamation for the holding of the First Session of the Assembly in line with the the provision of Section 105 Subsection (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

In his valedictory speech, the Former Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Prince Mathew Kolawole while highlighting the achievement of the Assembly within the space of four years a total number of 50 Bills were considered by members of the house.

“Out of these, 46 were successfully passed while 4 are undergoing process at different levels of Committee stage. Actions were suspended on others and sent back to Ministry of Justice for re-drafting while 1 one was rejected and withdrawn by the sponsor for lack of merit.

“ It is also worthy to intimate you that a total number of 144 Substantive Motions have been tabled before the House, while a total number of 82 Resolutions emanating from both Substantive and Subsidiary Motions have been passed.

“As mark of our commitment to good public service delivery, we passed Appropriation Bills in quickest possible time after proper and thorough Legislative scrutiny. Many of our Bills are potent enough to grow the economy and expand infrastructure for sustainable development.

“Our Resolutions and policy direction have far-reaching effects on the lives of our people as evident in the life transforming programs and the New Direction Developmental Agenda of the State Government. In a nutshell, we created more opportunities for our people to contribute to law making process through our result-oriented public hearings and other interactive activities.

“Through this means, we were able to restore public confidence in the Legislature. The impact of some of our laws may not manifest until years to come. However, we are confident that when the history of the 6th Legislature shall be written, posterity will acknowledge our efforts” Kolawole added.

Meanwhile; the battle for who will become Speaker in the Seventh legislative Assembly has continued to generate heat in the State.

It was however gathered that, all the 25 lawmakers elect for the seventh Assembly are members of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The Former Speaker Prince Mathew Kolawole (APC Kabba Bunu State Constituency) who was given a return ticket to the house is hoping to secure the top seat in the Assembly.

But his colleagues from the same West Jimoh Omiata ( APC Yagba East ) and Idris Ndakwo ( APC Lokoja II) are also eyeing the speakership position.

There have been a silent media war among the camps of the three contenders eyeing the speakership position but a source who spoke to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity said the immediate former speaker might retains his position as he has continue to show his loyal to Governor Yahaya Bello.

The source also added that, the Deputy Speaker might remain in Kogi East as the current Deputy majority leader Ahmed Mohammed (APC Akpa I) might clinch the position.

“The former Deputy Speaker Hassan Abdullahi Baiwa (APC Okura Constituency) will not be returning to the house because he is now a member elect for the Federal Constituency of Kogi East. With this development, Ahmed Mohammed who has been loyal to the new direction government is expected to take over as the Deputy Speaker” the source said.

The Seventh Assembly is scheduled to be inaugurated on Thursday 6th June, 2019 by the Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello.