The State House of Assembly is the legislature of each state in the country. It is situated in the State capital of these states, the purpose of each House of Assembly is to, constitutionally, “provide information on the scope of responsibilities, services, and commitment for the entire people of the State”.
Their mission is to make laws that will ensure good governance, representing the will of its citizens and in the process ensuring judicious use of the resources of the state in order for its citizens to receive maximum benefit.
The State House of Assembly was created to provide certain services for the good of its people. For example, whenever the appropriation of a bill is passed on to the house they must ensure that estimates are critically analyzed and resources are distributed in such a way those in need are put in priority.
They must also ensure that the money budgeted is efficiently utilized judiciously as intended. When it comes to law-making, the House of Assembly must ensure the laws are passed with the positive interest of its people at heart.
Each State House of Assembly is made up of principal officials including the speaker, deputy speaker, majority leader, deputy leader, and chief whip, and minority leader and his deputy and whip where there is opposition in the house which is rare.
Today we get to know the current Speaker of each State House of Assembly in the Southeast.
Abia State House Speaker
Abia State House of Assembly is the legislative arm of the Abia State Government. It is a single chamber body consisting of 24 members elected from 24 state constituencies of the State and is currently presided by Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, the son of the immediate past governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji who is a senator.
Early Life
Chinedum Enyinnaya was born December 25, 1970, to the family of a popular politician in Abia State, Senator Theodore and Chief Mrs. Odochi Orji from Ugba village, Ugba Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
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After Chinedum’s primary and secondary education, he gained admission into the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1996.
Political Career
Having endeared himself to the people through his various interventions that saw to the execution of projects and donation of items that directly touched the lives of the people through his Direct Touch Initiative.
During the 2015 general elections, he emerge as the Lawmaker representing Umuahia Central State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly under the political party of People Democratic Party and served as Majority Leader of the House up until 2019 when he was re-elected into the 7th Assembly, Rt Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji emerged as Speaker of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly.
Anambra State House Speaker
Anambra State House of Assembly is the Legislative Branch of the State Government created in 1991 when the State was created. It is a unicameral body with 30 elected members who represent 30 Constituencies from the State and it’s current Speaker is Hon. Uchenna Okafor.
Early Life
Hon. Uchenna Okafor was born on 3rd April 1977 in Isiudala Village Ifite Ogwari Ayamelum Local Government Area in Anambra State. His early education was in Enugu State where he completed his primary and secondary schools.
Thereafter, he gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Political Career
Growing up, he said his political philosophy was centred on accommodating, sharing, supporting, promoting, and empowering. These attributes led to his present-day political potentials.
In the 2015 general elections Hon. Uchenna vied for the post of member to represent Ayamelum constituency under the political party of All Progressive Group Alliances (APGA), in the Anambra State House of Assembly, and he was voted in and come 2019 general elections, he was re-elected into the House and emerged as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
Ebonyi State House Speaker
Ebonyi State House of Assembly is the legislative arm of the Ebonyi State Government and It is a unicameral body with 24 elected members who represent 24 Constituencies from the State and is currently presided by Hon. Francis Nwifuru.
Early Life
Hon. Francis Nwifuru was born on 25th February 1975 in Izzi West Local Government Area. Upon his primary and secondary education, Hon. Francis bagged his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Master’s degree in Science in Procurement.
Political Career
Hon. Nwifuru’s rough encounters in his bid to accomplish his political and leadership dreams have been too tough on him but have at the same time become a practical success which turn into testimonies and praises.
In the 2011 general elections, he emerged the winner of the Izzi West State constituency and in the 2015 general elections under the political party of People Democratic Party (PDP) Hon.
Francis was re-elected to represent the Izzi West and emerged as the Speaker of the House of Assembly and also during the 2019 elections, he returned for his third tenure in the House and also the Speaker of the House.
Enugu State House Speaker
Enugu State House of Assembly is the legislative arm of the State Government and It is a single chamber with 27 elected members who represent 27 Constituencies from the State and the current Speaker of the House is Rt. Hon. Sir Chief Edward Uchenna Ubosi.
Early Life
Rt. Hon. Sir Chief Edward Uchenna Ubosi born 20th March 1964 in Umuchigbo Nike Enugu East LGA of Enugu State.
Political Party
In 2011, Hon. Edward Uchenna was elected into the Enugu State House of Assembly and was re-elected in 2015 when he was made the Speaker of the house. During the 2019 general elections, he was re-elected back and emerged as the Speaker.
Imo State House Speaker
Imo State House of Assembly is the legislative arm of the State Government and It is a unicameral body with 27 elected members who represent 27 Constituencies from the State and the current Speaker of the House is Hon. Kennedy Ibeh.
Early Life
Hon. Barr Kennedy Ibeh was born on 25th June 1976 in Lagos State. He obtained his primary certificate from Regina Caeli Primary School Umunachi Obowu and secondary School certificate from Okenanlogh Secondary Technical School Obowu.
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After his primary and secondary education, he proceeded to Enugu State University of Science and Technology where he obtain a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He also has a Master’s degree in Law from Abia state University Uturu.
Political Career
While in legal practice, Barr. Kennedy Ibeh joined the People’s Democratic Party in 2006, he held many offices during his time in the People’s Democratic Party, and in the 2015 general elections, under the platform Action Progressive Congress (APC) he became the Honourable Member Representing Obowu State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly and the Deputy Majority Leader of the 8th Assembly.
During the 2019 general elections, Hon Kennedy was re-elected into the House of Assembly and following the impeachment of the former Speaker Paul Emeziem, Hon. Kennedy Ibeh emerges as the new Speaker of the House.
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