Peter Onwusanya Emerges As New Speaker Of Delta Assembly
Featured, Latest Headlines, Politics Tuesday, March 18th, 2014
…As Ochei Formally Resigns As Speaker
Peter Onwusanya has been elected as the new speaker of the delta state house of assembly.
New Delta Speaker Peter Onwusanya
His election followed the formal resignation of Victor Ochei as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
In a letter addressed to the Deputy Speaker of the house, Ochei resigned as the Speaker of the state Legislature citing his personal resolve to pave way for a new leadership.
He said he hoped the new leadership would take the state and house to a higher level, having contributed his quota in that regard.
“I wish to thank all those, numerous and many who made my tour of duty a pleasant affair further. To you my esteemed colleagues, I remain grateful for your love and camaraderie we shared while it lasted”. He added.
Rt Hon Ochei was sworn in as the Speaker on June 6, 2011. Some news reports alleged that he was forced to resign as speaker by some political heavyweights in the state to avoid being booted out of office.
The new speaker, Peter Onwusanya, representing Oshimili South Constituency was until his election the Deputy Majority Whip of the Assembly.
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Let us be careful on this issue. The judgement on HON. EMEKA OKONJI v. HON. PETER ONWUSANYA & ORS, (2014) LPELR-22191(CA) is in the public domain. There is nothing to hide. The facts are clearly stated in the following law report.
http://www.lawpavilionplus.com/app/index.php/summary/judgments?suitno=CA%2FB%2F132%2F2011. “After due analysis, the appeal was allowed while the judgment of the trial court, per I.N. BUBA, J. was set aside. The suit was remitted to the Hon. Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, for a re-assignment to another judge of that court, for a retrial de novo”.
The implication of the Court of Appeal is that all the orders made by Justice . BUBA of the Federal High Court, Asaba was set aside including the validation of Peter Onwusanya’s victory at the PDP primaries. Now, a Trial de Novo ordered by the Appeal Court is a new trial which the entire case is presented as if there had been no previous trial. In a trial de novo, new evidence and witness testimony can be presented “without deference to the initial judgment”- meaning that the outcome of the previous trial is not considered. So in fairness, what judgement is Peter Onwusanya relying on to be a member of the Delta State House of Assembly?. The State Chief judge, Attorney General and the Clerk of the State House of Assembly obviously misled the Governor in swearing Peter Onwusanya in as the DTHA Speaker. The earlier, this is reversed, the better for our democracy. In a focused and just society, it is not just about what we want but the application of the rule of law. The State Governor, certainly did not seek deep advice on this issue. What a disgraceful act. Let Peter Onwusanya be asked to honourably step down.
There is something stinking about Peter Onwusanya’s appointment as Speaker of Delta State House of assembly. The rumour is that the Governor was misled by Peter Nwaobosi and cohorts into believing that Peter Onwusanya has been cleared by the court as a genuine member of the House. Sadly, the truth is very far from what has been done. The attorney General must act very fast; otherwise, Governor uduaghan will be listed as one Governor with disregard for the judiciary
Ibe Dumkwu