Few days from today, precisely Wednesday, August 27, this year, Delta, the oil-rich State in the South-South region, would be 34 as an autonomous State in the country
Created from the defunct Bendel State with its sister-state; Edo on August 27, 1991 by the then Military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Delta with a current population of over Four Million would mark its 34th anniversary in grand style
Thirty-Four years down the line, Delta State, no doubt, has gone through series of positive transformation across the three distinct arms of government -the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.
For the state legislature, which of course, is the epicenter of this discourse and saddled with the responsibility of making the laws that govern the state, has also, recorded a plethora of transformation from the first assembly to the current Eight Assembly.
Understandably and, as available record holds, the first Assembly of the State legislature which existed between 1992 and 1993 came into existence following a nationwide general election held on December 4, 1991 wherein Thirty-Eight Deltans were elected under the then existing two political parties-the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC) to represent the then 19 local government areas in the maiden State House of Assembly
The House which was formally inaugurated by the first Executive Governor of the State, Chief Felix Ibru on January 3, 1992 saw the emergence of Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Okoro as Speaker, the pioneer Speaker of the State legislature.
Barely six years later, the second Assembly which commenced its legislative life in the present permanent complex of the State legislature, was inaugurated on June 3, 1999 following a proclamation by the then Governor of the State, Chief James Ibori with 29 members subscribing to an oath of allegiance.
The second assembly had Rt. Hon. Francis Magbele, member representing Warri North as its Speaker and Rt. Hon. Pius Akpor Ewherido , member representing Ughelli South as Deputy Speaker.
However, following a major shakeup in the House, the House dropped all its principal officers save the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Francis Magbele. A new Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Festus Ovie Agas was elected and duly sworn in.
Third Assembly; the four year tenure of the third assembly saw the emergence of two separate Speakers who included; Rt. Hon. Young Igbrude – June 3, 2003 to May 25, 2006 and Rt. Hon. Franc Enekorogha -May 25, 2006 to June 4, 2007.
Similarly, the four year tenure of the fourth assembly saw the emergence of three separate Speakers who included; Rt. Hon. Olisa Imegwu – June 3, 2007 to May 22, 2008, Rt. Hon. Martins Okonta -May 22, 2008 to July 29, 2010 and Rt. Hon. Sam Obi, July 29, 2010 to June, 2011.
In same token, the four year tenure of the fifth Assembly saw the emergence of two separate Speakers who included; Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei and Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya. While Ochei’s tenure lasted between June 6, 2011 to March 18, 2014, Rt. Hon. Onwusanya’s tenure lasted between March 18, 2014 to June 8, 2015.
Sixth Assembly; the sixth Assembly recorded significant transformation in the State House of Assembly. Barely one year in the administration of the sixth Assembly, the house witnessed mass movement of members who earlier secured their ticket to the State House of Assembly under the platform of another party such as the Labour Party (LP), and Accord Party to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The movement brought then the number of PDP membership in the House to 28 just as the Social Democratic Party member in the House, maintained his identity.
Meanwhile, the House in the sixth Assembly, recorded major shakeup following the removal of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya on May 11, 2017 after serving for barely two years as Speaker.
His removal saw the emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who held sway as Speaker of the Sixth Assembly through the Seventh Assembly from May 11, 2017 to June, 2023.
The 8th Assembly; the current Assembly which was formally inaugurated on June 13, 2023 following a proclamation by the State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor as Speaker and Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo as Deputy Speaker.
Speaking on the legislative journey so far in the State as it marks its 34th anniversary, the current Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor said that the State, within the period under review, has grown in leaps and bounds with robust testimony of People-Oriented legislation.
Two years after, the State legislature under the watch of the youthful and vibrant Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, no doubt, has recorded positive legislative transformation, particularly in the three core areas of legislation; Oversight, law-making and constituency representation.
Speaking at the Assembly’s second anniversary few months ago, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor said that the State Assembly within the outgoing legislative year, received a total of 16 Bills
Out of the 16 bills, eight were Executive Bills while eight were Private Member’s bills. While seven of the bills have so far been passed by the House, six of them have been assented to by the State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori just as one is being prepared for the Governor’s assent.
The remaining Eight, according to the Speaker, are currently undergoing legislative consideration by the House.
He said, “In the Second Session, the Eight Assembly has demonstrated uncommon diligence and unity of purpose in the discharge of our legislative duties.
“We have received, considered and passed a number of impactful bills and motions that directly touch the lives of Deltans.
“These are critical bills passed into laws to promote education, healthcare, youth empowerment, infrastructural development, environmental protection, security and economic development.
Within the period under review, the House received a total of sixteen Bills, eight Executive Bills and eight Private Member’s bills. Out of the sixteen Bills, seven were passed by the House and six of them were assented to by His Excellency, the Governor; while one is being prepared for the assent of the Governor.
The remaining eight are undergoing consideration by the House. However, nine bills that were received by the House in the First Session scaled Third Reading and Passed and were also assented to by the Governor in the period under review.
The bills passed and assented to by the Governor are:1. Delta State Child Rights’ ( Amendment) Law, 2024. 2023 Amended Revised Appropriation Law, 2024. Delta State College of Health Technology Ovrode Law, 2024. Southern Delta University, Ozoro ( Establishment) Law, 2025. Appropriation Law, 2025. Supplementary Appropriation Law, 2024. Delta State Polytechnic Burutu (Amendment) Law, 20248. Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Law, 2024. Delta State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency” Guwor said.
