Amidst recent tussles in student leadership circles, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Legislative Council has made progressive strides by inaugurating a new legislative house for the 2021/2022 session. The previous council led by Rt. Hon. Otumala Emmanuel was dissolved after its final sitting on the 21st of January, 2022.
The erstwhile Speaker, Mr. Otumala, gave his valedictory speech appreciating the old house members for their commitment and service while in office. He also charged the new house members on the need to prioritize unity regardless of diversity of opinions. Subsequently, the newly formed council conducted an in-house election into principal offices of the house. The positions of Chief Whip and Clerk of the house were contested unopposed, with Hon. Ajiboye Oluwaseyi and Hon. Adeboye Adebisi emerging respectively.
The posts of Deputy Speaker and Speaker were however contested for. Hon. Dibia Marc-Ernest and Hon. Alexander Victor vied for the Deputy Speakership with Hon. Dibia getting the affirmative votes. For the Speakership, Hon. Akande Qudus went against Hon. Igbaoreto Samuel. Hon. Samuel secured the house’s mandate to lead.
Notably, it is interesting that all members of the newly formed council including the speaker are greenhorns in the Zik hall legislative business. This naturally spurs concerns and anxiety as regards the effectiveness of the house in the discharge of its duties. The essence of experienced members retaining membership of the house is beneficial for its smooth running, and is in fact constitutionally identified. However, as none of the successors to the house is a returning member, the conduct of legislative business in the Zik hall legislative council arouses reasonable concerns.
To allay these concerns, Rt. Hon. Samuel, the Speaker, appreciates the situation and speaks to reassure Zikites. He voices his acknowledgement of the house’s lack of experience, “fine, we are inexperienced but sometimes we have to give opportunity to people because we’ve seen cases of people who are not experienced and they do well in various aspects. So, given this opportunity, we’ll give all our best to uphold the culture and tradition of Zikism.”
To put the minds of Zikites at rest, Mr. Speaker says, “be rest assured that we in the house are ready to work. One of the reasons I went for the post of speaker is because I want to always defend the interest of Zikites, even when I’m not in this position.”
The erstwhile speaker of the house, Mr. Otumala also made comments on the subject. He advises that the house should come to terms with the idea of learning on the job and should be open to seeking guidance from past members where the need arises.
The sitting ended with the presentation of certificates of service to the outgoing members by Mr. Seyi, a member of the Hall Management Committee, who graced the event.
