Amid undiluted intrigues among the ruling People’s
Democratic Party in Cross River state, Rt. Hon John Gaul, a member representing
Abi State Constituency and a Kinsman of the immediate past Governor of Cross
River State has emerged as a the Speaker of the 8th State House of
Assembly.
The election which took place at the State Assembly
Chambers on Thursday, 11th of June 2015, saw Gaul pulling a total of
25 votes out of 25 to emerge the a winner in the single man contest.
In the other election, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, a
two time legislator representing Calabar 1 state constituency, clinched the
office of the deputy speaker also without a challenger.
Administering the oath of office, the Clerk, Barr
Bassey Ekpenyong charged the new Speaker and other Members of the 8th
House of Assembly to always put the interest of the state ahead of their
personal interest in the course of discharging their duties.
He charged them to make laws that would enhance
economic development in the state as they are ambassadors of their
constituencies as well as the hope of the common man.
“I want to congratulate the new and the returning
legislators, it was not easy to jump through the huddles of primaries and the
general elections. I charge you to make laws that would enhance economic
development in the state
“The interest of the state should always be
paramount therefore I enjoin you to discharge your duties to protect the
interest of the electorates who have reposed confidence in you”, he said.
Earlier, the Governor, Prof Ben Ayade represented
by the Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Isu in his goodwill message described the
landmark occasion as a “giant stride” in the state’s politics and charged the
legislators to reciprocate the confidence reposed on them by electorates by
making meaningful contributions to reposition the state on the part of
greatness.
“The legislature is a critical arm of government
that plays pivotal rule in nation building, it is in recognition of this that I
seek synergy between the executive and the legislature in other to reposition
our state on the party of greatness.
“I look forward to maintaining a cordial and robust
relationship with all of you. I charge you to work closely with the leadership
for the overall interest of our state and the growth of democracy”, he
maintains.
The speaker in his speech, thanked his party, the
PDP and the members for giving him the opportunity to serve, stressing that all
the members should see leadership as a privilege not as a right to serve.
He assured Cross Riverians that under his watch,
the legislature would have what his described as a “legislative principle of
integrity and honesty and further charged members to share in the dream of the
governor to run an inclusive government that would bring development to the
state.
“I thank my party, the PDP, my honourable
colleagues and the immediate past governor of Cross River
State
“The house under my watch would be a solution
architect where there would be pre-hearing sittings before taking issues to the
floor for deliberation. We shall have a central organizing principle of
integrity and honesty. I charged every member to share in the dream of the
governor to bring development to our state,” he said.
Hon. Gaul in his first assignment as Speaker,
appointed Rt. Hon Moses Ucheche, a member representing Obanliku State Constituency
as the Majority leader of the House, Rt. Hon Simon Egbong Nkoro representing
Ikom 11 as the minority leader, Rt. Hon Ephraim Okon representing Calabar1
constituency as the Chief Whip as well as Rt. Hon Ugana Lukpata of Yala11
constituency as the Deputy Chief Whip.
By
Godshield Kanjal
By
Godshield Kanjal
No comments:
Post a Comment