Bayelsa Speaker officially resigns ‘for peace to reign’

After initial struggles, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker, Tonye Isenah, has officially resigned his position.

He tendered his resignation letter during the house plenary on Monday, October 7.

In the letter, which date read September 30, Isenah appreciated the state government, his colleagues and members of the public for the opportunity given to him to serve as the speaker of the assembly and respect accorded him while in office.

Isenah, meanwhile, said it was important for him to resign in order for peace to reign.

Leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state were said to have mounted pressure on Isenah to resign from his position before the November 16, governorship election.

It was learnt that the outgoing governor, Seriake Dickson, and the leaders of the party had agreed with Isenah, that he would vacate his office should Senator Douye Diri, who is from his Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, become the candidate of the PDP for the election.

After initial struggles that lasted for about two weeks, Isenah eventually succumbed to the pressure.

At the Monday plenary, the house subsequently adopted the letter through a motion by the Deputy Majority Leader, Bernard Kenebai, which was seconded by Mitema Obordor.

Speaking afterwards, Monday Obolo, the new speaker thanked members, especially Isenah, for their understanding which showed that the interest of the state is superior to the interest of any individual.

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“We have once again demonstrated that we can subordinate our personal interest to the interest of the state, and that we stand united as a house in spite of minor understandable differences,” he said.

Obolo added that the adoption and acceptance of the resignation letter had taken precedence over the earlier impeachment of the former speaker.

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