By: Emeh James Anyalekwa, Ogochukwu Isioma
UMUAHIA — The Abia State Government has reacted to the Bill granting financial autonomy status to the state House of Assembly.
Igbere TV reports that Abia State Assembly, Tuesday, hurriedly passed a Bill granting financial autonomy to itself amidst rumoured rift between the Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and Speaker, Chinedum Orji (Ikuku) over who controls political structures in the state ahead 2023 polls.
Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji (Ikuku) is son of former governor of the state, and current senator representing Abia central senatorial zone, Senator T. A. Orji.
Checks by Igbere TV showed that the House within two days, 15th and 16th July, introduced and passed “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission and other Related Matters” personally sponsored by the Speaker.
The Bill was subsequently forwarded to Governor Ikpeazu for executive assent, but he is yet to do so as at press time.
Asked whether Governor Ikpeazu would assent to the Bill, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, Abia State Commissioner for Information, told Igbere TV on Thursday that the governor is yet to take a decision on the bill.
“When the governor receives the draft legislation, he will review and decide”, Okiyi-Kalu said.
On his part, a media assistant to the Speaker, Promise Uzoma Okoro said, “when assented, this bill means the legislature will no longer be dependent on the executive to run her Assembly since the allocation from the Federal Government goes directly into the Assembly account.”
Igbere TV will continue to keep a close eye on the development and bring you updates as events unfold.
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