Son of the former Governor of Abia State and Senator for Abia Central, Chief Theodore Orji, Rt Hon Chinedum Orji, has emerged the speaker of the 7th Abia House of Assembly.

Orji, representing Umuahia Central state constituency was elected yesterday unopposed by the 24 member house of assembly which is made up of 19 PDP, 3 APGA and 2 APC members. He was nominated by Munnachim Alozie of Ugwunagbo and supported by Ginger Onwusibe of Isialangwa North state constituencies.

Hon. Chinedum Orji is the 11th Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly.

The house was inaugurated by the deputy governor, Sir Ude Oko-Chukwu on behalf of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who exercised the powers bestowed on him by Section 105 Subsection 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as Amended Proclaimed the Inauguration of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly.

Immediately the house was inaugurated, it began sitting with the clerk of the assembly JohnPedro Irokansi presiding. He called for nominations for principal officers of the house to be elected after a roll call of all elected members.

The member representing Ohafia South state constituency Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu was elected unopposed as the deputy speaker and he was nominated by Thomas Nkoro of Obingwa West and seconded by Barr Jerry Uzosike of Umuahia South.

Other functionaries elected after the speaker and his deputy include, Akpulonu Solomon, Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader: Hon. Paul Taribo, Minority Leader, Hon Abraham Obah, Aba central, Deputy Minority Leader: Chukwu Chijioke. Bende North, ChiefWhip Hon. Munachim Alozie Ugwunagbo State Constituency PDP, Deputy Chief whip: Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. (New Telegraph)