A new speaker has been elected for the State House of Assembly. He is Honourable Sam Obi representing Ika North East.

The new Speaker was nominated by the member representing Burutu constituency two, Honourable Funkekeme Solomon, seconded by Honourable Talib Tebite representing Ughelli South and unanimously elected.

He subscribed to the relevant oaths administered on him by the clerk of the House, Mr. Raymond Yavbieri after which he was led to his seat by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Basil Ganagana who had been Acting Speaker.

Honourable Sam Obi, the tenth Speaker of the House, takes over from Honourable Martin Okonta who recently lost his membership of the House to Honourable Kingsley Nonye Philips in an Appeal Court judgment.

In his acceptance speech, the new speaker thanked his colleagues for finding him worthy to lead them and promised to carry everyone along. Honourable Obi reminded the legislators that they are all equal and urged them to work with the consciousness to move the House to the next level.

In a valedictory speech, the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Basil Ganagana thanked the House for the cooperation he enjoyed during the period he acted as speaker.

He said with the successful swearing-in of Honourable Kingsley Nonye Philips representing Ika South and the emergence of Honourable Sam Obi as speaker the House was properly constituted.