Ikiriko regains position in Assembly amidst mild opposition
By Kio Nimengoka
Before the Rivers State House of Assembly sat at 12:15pm for the 11th legislative day on Thursday, the premises has become engulfed in festivity not because of the forth-coming 40th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Africa Region Conference kick-starting on July 13.
It was rather a display of solidarity by indigenes of Ahoada-West over the return of their representative at the Assembly, Hon. Hope Ikiriko, following his election victory at the Appeal Court.
The constituents who came with fleet of vehicles armed with musical instruments made the environment physically active with songs and dances.
This scenario attracted the attention of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry that spurred him to make remarks immediately the House sat. He expressed surprise over the large crowd from Ahoada-West which even made the public gallery jam-packed.
However, the Speaker jokingly recalled the comment made by one of his colleagues “that he (Ikiriko) should be allowed to celebrate because if he had lost, his enemies could have celebrated more than this”.
The Speaker who later sworn-in Hon. Ikiriko explained that he was allowed to go and tackle his election matter.
Having become a member of the House once again, his position as deputy leader was vacant.
On his return, he was nominated by Hon. Lucky Odili for his former position describing him as one of the best in the House and gave a brief background of him.
Supporting him, Hon. Nname Ewor of Ahoada-East constituency I said it would take the House some years to produce the likes of Hon. Ikiriko, pointing out that the House would be proud having him to occupy his former position but this did not go down well with Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja representing Opobo/Nkoro constituency.
At the end of voting, Hon. Ikiriko regained his position with 17 votes against one, indicating that despite his period of absence, his popularity was still intact, as the deputy leader.
In moving a motion for adjournment, Hon. Ikiriko who is also an evangelist apologized to those who might have been hurt by some of his activities and thanked both his colleagues and constituents for standing behind him during his election matter.
In another development,it was a moment of oral battle between the Speaker and Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, following the request by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for additional Special Advisers.
Hon. Gogo Jaja maintained that the House has the right to know the number of Special Advisers so far appointed in line with the provisions of the constitution which did not go down well with the Speaker.
He argued that for the number of Special Advisers to be increased from 15 to 16, it was expected for the House to move a resolution to that effect, adding that in the absence of such a development, he could not be part of such approval.
The Speaker explained that the request of such a nature could come at anytime, adding that if the House gives the governor the permission, he can appoint more Special Advisers. After the voting, 17 members approved the request against one.
Meanwhile, the House has adjourned to Tuesday, July 14 when if is expected that members will further screen more commissioners in addition to the earlier eight.
