Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has gotten the approval of the State House of Assembly to appoint fifteen (15) Special Advisers to enable him carry out his constitutional responsibilities.
The approval is sequel to a request sent to the House by the Governor seeking the approval of the House to appoint 15 numberSpecial Advisers to assist him in the discharge of his constitutional duties as Governor.
The letter was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ubosi.
The request is in line with section 196 of the 1999 Constitution as amended which provides that:
“(1) The Governor of a State may appoint any person as a Special Adviser to assist him in the performance of his functions. (2) The number of such Advisers and their remuneration and allowances shall be as prescribed by law or by resolution of the House of Assembly of the State. (3) Any appointment made pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be at the pleasure of the Governor, and shall cease when the Governor ceases to hold office. (4) A person appointed as a Special Adviser under subsection (1) of this section shall not begin to perform the functions of the office unless he has declared his assets and liabilities as prescribed in this Constitution and has subsequently taken and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance and the oath of office prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to this Constitution”
Moving a motion for the approval of the Special Advisers for the Governor, the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezegwu, representing Udenu Constituency, said the Governors request is a constitutional issue and the House has no option but to give its nod without delay.
He said, “you can see that this is a Constitutional matter and it was not quite long that we sworn to an Oath and protect the Constitution. Having said this Mr. Speaker, let me move a motion that pursuant to the aforesaid section as amended, that the Honourable House do approve the appointment of 15 Special Advisers to assist his Excellency, the governor of Enugu state, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to perform his functions.
Meanwhile, the House also appointed Members of the Committee on selection to be headed to the Deputy Speaker, Uchenna Callistus Ugwu.
Other members of the Committee include; Ikechukwu Ezegwu, leader of the House and member representing Udenu State Constituency, Iloabuchi Aniagwu, Nkanu West as well as Jane Eneh and Emma Ugwu.
The committee has one week to submit its report.
The House adjourned sitting to Tuesday July 2, 2019.
