AN OVERVIEW OF THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

All is now set for the inauguration of the 7th Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly tomorrow, June 10, 2019.

The state had its first Assembly in 1991 during the administration of Olorogun Felix Ibru, with Rt. Honourable Emmanuel Okoro as the pioneer speaker.

The military intervention of 1992 brought an abrupt end to the first Assembly.

With the advent of democracy in 1999 the second Assembly was born in the administration of Chief James Ibori with Rt. Honorable Francis Megbele as speaker.

Megbele did not complete his tenure before he was impeached and Rt. Honourable JFK Omatsone was elected to replace him.

The second Assembly as witnessed the impeachment of JFK Omatsone to pave the way for the return of Francis Megbele, who later died and his then Deputy, the late Honourable Pous Ewherido had to step in to complete the tenure.

The third Assembly started in 2003 with Rt. Honorable Young Igbrude as speaker and was replaced by Rt. Honourable Frank Enekorogha who completed the tenure after Igbrude was impeached.

Olise Imegwu was elected speaker of the fourth Assembly in 2007, but was impeached for Martins Okonta to step in.

Okonta was later removed by the Supreme court and Sam Obi elected speaker in 2010 to complete the fourth Assembly.

In 2011, Rt. Honourable Victor Ochei emerged as speaker of the fifth Assembly which also saw a first timer, Rt. Honourable Peter Onwusanya serving as speaker after Ochei resigned from the position.

Rt. Honourable Monday Igbuya started the sixth Assembly in 2015, but was impeached to bring in the current speaker Rt. Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori who has successfully led the Assembly to an end.

By tomorrow the speaker’s seat and indeed all the principal offices will be vacant for a new set of officers to take over.

The incumbent speaker Sheriff Oborevwori is favored to retain the speakership, though that will be the first time this will be happening in the history of the Assembly.

He is said to have shown purposeful leadership and is considered to have an edge over others eying the seat, including Honourable Ehriateke Ibori-Suenu, who is not counted as one of the vibrant members of the House.