By Thompson Yamput
Alhaji Yusuf Aliyu-Umar (Lokoja II) on Tuesday emerged as the new Speaker of the Kogi 8th Assembly after the lawmakers unanimously voted for him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new speaker was earlier nominated by Hon. Rin Ebama-Shehu, who represents Lokoja I State Constituency and was seconded by Hon Suleiman Abdulrasaq, representative of Okene 1 State Constituency and subsequently voted in.
Rt Hon Paul Enema, representative of Dekina/Okura constituency, also emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the house.
Umar and Enema have since accepted their nomination and election in to the exalted positions as speaker and deputy speaker respectively.
Other Principal officers elected are: Majority Leader; Hon Suleiman Abdulrasaq (Okene 1),
Dep Majority Leader; Hon Seidu Amodu (Ofu), Chief Whip; Asema Baba-Haruna (Adavi) and
Dep Chief Whip; Bello Okuwaseyi (Kabba/Bunu).
The rest are: Minority Leader, Idowu Ibikunle (Yagba/West),
Dep Minority Leader; Hon Sunday Daku (Bassa) and
Minority Whip; Hon Bode Ogunmola (Ogori/Magongo).
The Clerk of the house, Alhaji Ahmed Sule-Chogudo, administered the oath of allegiance and membership on them.
In his speech, the new Speaker, expressed gratitude to God and his fellow lawmakers for the privilege given to him to serve Kogi in that capacity.
Umar pledged to champion the affairs of the legislative house in collaborative with other Arms of Government toward moving Kogi to greater heights.
Earlier, the clerk had read Gov. Yahaya Bello’s letter of proclamation in which he (governor) cited relevant section of the 1999 Constitution as amended on the inauguration of the state’s 8th assembly. NAN
