The Next Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Should Come From Ikom, Says APC Chieftain, Obla.
“I have read the viewpoint of Inyali Peter, a young emerging leader and a noted public commentator in Cross River State, whose work opinion I respect so much on the heated argument on which part of the State; the Speakership of the Cross River State House of Assembly should be zoned.
He has admirably and firmly suggested that in the interest of justice, it should be zoned to the Ikom local government area of the Cross River State.
Let me say straightforwardly that the choice of who is to be the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly is an internal business of the House because I do not have the locus standi to vote or participate in deliberations or proceedings of the House when the speaker will be chosen.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) will command a 2/3 majority in the next session of the Cross River State House of Assembly to be convened likely in June 2023.
As a senior member of the APC and a Cross Riverian, this matter concerns me even though I don’t have the locus standi to take part in the election of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The election of the Speaker is by members of the Cross River State House of Assembly themselves.
Immediately after the swearing of the Governor on 29 May 2023, he is required to exercise the constitutional power vested on him by section 105 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 to proclaim the dissolution of the present session of the House and the convening of the New session.
The Governor is the Chief Executive of the Executive Branch of the Government of Cross River State of Nigeria.
The House of Assembly is the second branch of the Cross River State government entrusted with law-making and checking the executive branch to ensure it doesn’t exceed the limitations of its constitutional powers.
Admittedly the doctrine of separation of powers between the three branches of government is enshrined in the Constitution and one of its hallmarks.
But the separation of powers is not compartmentalization of powers in practice.
Therefore, it calls for cooperation between all the branches of government involved.
In certain circumstances, all three branches of government have to partner, collaborate and cooperate in the interest of society.
In this wise, the Governor cannot stand idly or Siddon look in this matter of which part of the State, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, should come from.
Pundits have suggested that the next Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly should come from the Central Senatorial District of the State.
I share the same sentiments.
The pertinent question now: from which part of the Central Senatorial District?
The Central Senatorial District is made up of six local government areas namely Abi, Boki, Etung, Ikom, Obubra, and Yakurr.
In the Central Senatorial District are two blocs namely old Obubra (Abi, Obubra, and Yakurr) and old Ikom(Boki, Etung, and Ikom).
The Senator elected to represent Central Senatorial District in the next session of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is from Yakurr.
During the time of Donald Duke (1999-2007), the Speaker came from Obudu in his first term (1999-2003).
In the second term of Donald Duke (2003-2007), the Speaker of the House of Assembly came from Yakurr. Although at a time the member of the House of Representatives for Abi-Yakurr Federal Constituency came from Yakurr as the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly (2003-2007) it was an awkward arrangement consented to by Governor Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke( who was a leader then of Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency).
During the time of Senator Liyel Imoke(2007-2015), in his first term, the Speaker was Hon. Ada. In Senator Liyel Imoke’s second term (2011-2015) the Speaker was Rt. Hon. Larry Odey from Yala. The incumbent Speaker of the House of Assembly is from Yakurr.
In the first term of Governor Ben Ayade(2015-2019), the Speaker was Rt Hon. John Gaul from Abi.
In light of the above, I will suggest the position of Speakership of the Cross River State House of Assembly should go to old Ikom (Boki, Etung & Ikom).
There will be no ranking member of the Cross River State House of Assembly in the next session of the House, and by the House Rules, a fresh member cannot be elected as Speaker.
The lot then falls on Boki and Ikom.
The next member of the Boki/Ikom Federal Constituency of the House of Representatives is Hon. Victor Bisong Abang. He is from Boki.
I, therefore think in the interest of justice, the position of Speakership of the Cross River State House of Assembly should go to Ikom Local Government Area.
It will smack insensitivity and incongruence for the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly and the Member of Boki/Ikom Federal Constituency of the House of Representatives to come from one local government area.
Okoi Obono-obla
