Kolawole replaces Imam as Kogi speaker
Anew leadership emerged yesterday at the Kogi State House of Assembly following the resignation of the erstwhile speaker, Umar Ahmed Imam, who said he has to leave to avoid plunging the state into another round of crisis.
In his place, the former Majority Leader of the house, Mr Matthew Kolawole representing Kabba/ Bunu State Constituency, was elected.
The member representing Ijumu State Constituency, Victor Omofaye, was also elected as chief whip while the member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, Bello Hassan Abdullahi Balogun, who was hitherto the chief whip, was elected majority leader.
Imam’s resignation came less than 24 hours after an attack on members of the assembly by suspected thugs.
Sources said besides the attack on the legislators, Imam had to vacate his seat because of alleged “mounting plots by some external forces to have him impeached.”
The Kogi assembly on Wednesday announced indefinite suspension of plenary but the order was lifted 24 hours later, a development that saw Imam’s resignation and his subsequent replacement.
Imam, in his resignation letter read on the floor of the House, yesterday, thanked his colleagues in the legislature and his constituents for the support he enjoyed from them in the last one year.
He, however, condemned Tuesday’s attack on the state assembly by thugs and called on security agencies in the state to bring the perpetrators to book.
He said: “Within one year, I have unified the house, provided conducive atmosphere for legislative activities and won the hearts and minds of my colleagues.
“What transpired last Tuesday during plenary sitting, thugs desecrating the sanctity of this hallowed chamber, was undemocratic, a condemnable act of hooliganism and a criminal act; an attempted murder.
“This House should never have to experience a repeat of such barbaric acts. I still hope that the perpetrators will be brought to book.”
Our correspondent reports that the House was in a pensive mood as the change in leadership was being effected.
Many members in their various contributions extolled the leadership prowess of the former speaker and urged the new leadership of the House to carry everybody along.
Meanwhile, the house has adjourned sitting to August 15.