PDP’s Ugwu elected speaker in LP-controlled Enugu assembly

Uche Ugwu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, has been elected speaker of the Enugu house of assembly.

Ugwu was unanimously elected during the inauguration of the state’s 8th assembly on Tuesday.

The lawmaker representing Udi-north constituency was nominated by Iloabuchi Aniagu, lawmaker representing Nkanu-west constituency; and seconded by Chukwudi Nwankwo, the member representing Awgu-south.

Ugwu was the house’s deputy speaker in the seventh assembly.

Ezenta Ezeani of Igboetiti-east constituency was elected the house’s deputy speaker.

Ezeani was nominated by Jane Eneh of Awgu-north constituency and seconded by Okey Mba.

Out of the 24 lawmakers in the house, 14 are LP members and 10 are PDP members.

There were reports that all 14 LP lawmakers were ruled out of prime positions in the assembly by the house’s standing orders.

According to Premium Times, the Enugu assembly standing order states that only ranking members of the house can become speaker or deputy speaker.

All the 14 LP lawmakers are fresh members, which disqualified them from the contest.