Inuwa Elected Chairman of Speakers Conference

SAN FRANCISCO, April 12, (THEWILL) – The Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Garba Inuwa was Thursday afternoon elected Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

He polled 18 votes to defeat his closest challenger and erstwhile favourite for the office, Delta State House Speaker, Rt. Honourable Victor Ochei, who polled 9 votes, after the Speakers from the South West and the North West who had previously backed his bid jumped ship just before the vote was taken.

Two other candidates – the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Razak Bolaji Atunwa and Rt. Honourable Istafanus Gbana, the immediate past chairman of the Conference came 3rd and 4th respectively.

35 Speakers of State Assemblies took part in the voting exercise while the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly did not attend.

The Speakers are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow (Friday) to elect other officers of the Conference including a deputy Chair.