Assembly elects Umar Imam as new speaker
Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja
The embattled Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Momohjimoh Lawal, on Tuesdayy formerly resigned as Speaker of the assembly as Hon. Umar Imam of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was elected the new Speaker of the assembly.
For the past six months, the assembly has been in disagreement over leadership.
Lawal, submitted his resignation letter to the Clerk of the assembly on July 26, 2016, in absentia, was read by the Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Hon Aliyu Aku, who presided in the absence and it of Speaker.
According to the letter, “I would have preferred to continue with the struggle for the entrenchment of democratic values, but the interest of Kogi State must always come before any personal consideration
“Today, my resignation as the speaker of this assembly was a difficult decision but I do believe it is the right things to do, and I am sure this will bring joy to some and anger to others
“To those who believe in legislative democratic principles, I do understand your anger and frustrations. To my colleagues who stood by me in the struggle to uphold the sanctity of the legislature, I thank you and will forever cherish your love and solidarity.
“I want to urge all of us to use my resignation to heal, not to hate, so that we can collectively move the state forward for a better tomorrow and Kogi State.”
However, following the resignation of Lawal as speaker of the assembly, the Majority Leader of the assembly, Hon. Kolawole Matthew representing Kabba/Bunu state constituency raised a motion nominating Hon Umar Imam representing Lokoja 1 state constituency as Speaker and was seconded by Hon Abdullahi Hassan representing Ajaokuta constituency.
All the 22 out of 23 members of the state House of Assembly who were present formerly elected Imam as the new Speaker of the state House of Assembly.
Meanwhile, Imam, while addressing members of the assembly commended all the 23 members of the House of Assembly.
He said: “To you all, my distinguished colleagues, I am very grateful. I thank you all in particular for your confidence, for your generosity and for your cooperation in embracing peace and coming together as one strong united family. I will at all times be mindful of these selflessness and credence.
“I sincerely thank the immediate past Speaker, Lawal, for his services, and the ‘Peace Heroes’ from the Peace Committee of The Parliamentarians’, they deserve my wholehearted appreciation.
“For all the various steps taken at mediating and resolving our conflict, and for ensuring that sacrifices were made and compromises reached to bring us to where we are today, I say thank you. I am happy that the state government has taken adequate steps to acknowledge and appreciate them for their hard work and sacrifices.
“My address will not be complete without special recognition and appreciation to the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, we thank you for heeding our calls to intervene in the crisis rocking the assembly, indeed, we are grateful.”
According to him, with humility, “I accept
