UPDATE: I Have Not Resigned ––Delta Speaker Dares Governor

The political atmosphere in Delta State is charged and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Victor Ochei has declared that he remains the Speaker of State House of Assembly, denying media reports believed to have been sponsored by the Government House in the state.

Hon Victor Ochei made the declaration in Asaba, while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the state Governor, Emmnauel Uduaghan, signed the N451 billion 2014 Appropriation Bill into law.

Below are the words of the speaker:

“I have not resigned as the Speaker of state House of Assembly, as you can see. I am here in Government House to witness the signing of the states budget of N451 billion 2014 Appropriation Bill into law; by the governor, so it is rumour that you heard."

Hon. Ochei sat side by side with Governor Uduaghan during the signing of the bill into law. The Speaker got to the Government House without the usual fanfair and the paraphernalia of office as no security personnel was seen with him, further confirming speculations that the governor want him to leave the office.

Governor Uduaghan is said to be pushing for a member of the House close to him to become the speaker but the sitting speaker has been directed by his people not to step down. But can he withstand the heat?

Hon Ochei, a third-term member of the state house of assembly, is one of the men who want to contest for the position of Governor in the state from Delta North area in 2015. But someone is trying to cut him to size.