Rivers speaker resigns as re-elected former speaker returns

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Honourable Adams Dabotorudima, on Friday, resigned his position as the Speaker of the state legislature as the member representing Andoni Constituency, Honourable Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, was immediately elected to replace him.

Ibani, who was returning to the state House of Assembly after his election at the December 10 legislative rerun election, had earlier resigned as the Speaker shortly before the Court of Appeal annulled his election following disagreements over his election during the April 11, 2015 state and national assembly elections.

His election back into his former office came as Honourable Dabotorudima also resigned shortly after administering oath of office on those declared winners in the rerun election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Honourable Victoria Nyeche of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Port Harcourt Constituency 1, whose swearing in had been subject of litigation and controversy was also among those sworn in by the immediate former Speaker before his stepping down.

Others who took the oath of office included Farah Dagogo, (PDP),  Degema Constituency; Adonye Diri (PDP), Opobo/Nkoro Constituency; Granville Tekenari Wellington (PDP), Asari-Toru Constituency 1; Enemi Alabo-George, (PDP), Asari-Toru Constituency II and Abinye Blessing Pepple (PDP), Bonny Constituency.

Others were Mathew Dike (APC), Tai Constituency; Josiah John Olu (APC), Eleme Constituency; Innocent Barikor (APC), Gokana Constituency; Friday Nubari Nke-ee (APC) Khana Constituency II and Azubuike Chikere Wanjoku (APC), representing Ikwerre Constituency.

In his acceptance speech, the new Speaker, Ikuinyi, called on his colleagues to look beyond party affiliations and cooperate for the good of the state and thanked God and his constituents for his victory at the poll.