Government of Abia State explained

The government of Abia State is the supreme governing authority of Abia State and its local governments. It consists of the executive headed by the governor, the legislative and the judiciary.[1]

The Executive

The Executive is an arm of the Abia State Government that oversees the daily administration of the state and the implementation of bills.[2] The Executive is headed by the Governor of Abia State – who is allowed to appoint special advisers through the Legislative – followed by the Deputy Governor. The other offices which make up the executives are the office of the Secretary to the state government and twenty-three Commissioners.[3]

List of ministries and their commissioners sworn in by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2021

Ministry[4] Incumbent commissioner
Agriculture Professor Ikechi Mgbeoji
Commerce and Industry Mrs Uwaoma Olewengwa
Culture and Tourism Barr Tony Nwanmuo
Education Barr. Chijioke Mark
Environment Barr. Sam Nwogu
Basic Education Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma
Inter Governmental affairs Prince Obinna Okey
Housing Chief Chinagorom Nwankpa
Information and Strategy Barrister Eze Chikamnayo
Justice Umeh Kalu
Lands and Survey Dr Chidi Onwuchuruba
Local Government/Chieftaincy Affairs Prince Christopher Enweremadu
Petroleum Chief Eze Nwanganga
Public Utilities Chief Kingsley Imaga
Rural Development and Poverty Reduction Mazi Donatus Okorie
Science and Technology Chief Okezie Erondu
Sports Pascal Karibe Ojigwe
Transport Chief Godswill Uche Nwanoruo
SME and new business development Mrs Adaku Uwaoma Onusiriuka Oseiza
Women Affairs and Social Development Deaconess Rose Urenta
Documentation and Strategic Communication Mr Ugochukwu Emezue
Youth Development Barr.Charles Esonu
Lands and Survey Dr Chidi Onwuchuruba
Homeland Security Mr. Sopuruchi Bekee
Finance and Economic Development Philip Nto
Health O.S Ogah
Homeland Security Mr. Sopuruchi Bekee
Special duties and Vulnerable groups Chief Chisom Nwachukwu

The Legislature

The Legislature or state house of assembly of the Abia State Government is the second arm of government concerned with law-making and the passing of bills. Headed by a speaker and consisting of elected members from each constituency of the state, the legislature play a key role in the appointment of state commissioners, Chief judges and other top governmental posts.[5]

The Judiciary

See main article: Judiciary of Abia State. The Judiciary of Abia State consists of 11 departments and also a Judicial Service Commission with statutory duties which includes the promotion and appointment of judicial staffs. It is one of the co-equal arms of the Abia State Government vested with constitutional power to interpret and make laws.[6] It is headed by the Chief Judge of Abia State, who is appointed by the Abia State Governor through the approval of the Abia State House of Assembly.[7]

Levels of Court

The Abia State courts consist of three levels of court which through their respective judges or magistrates perform law-related functions. The high court determines what case to hear while the other levels of court include the Customary courts, which are presided over by a Chairman and two other court judges, and the Magistrates.[8]

Fight against COVID-19

The state government has made it mandatory for the residents to have a free COVID-19 test as a result of the continuous increase in the number of confirmed cases in the state. The government encouraged people of the state to make themselves available for the free test to be carried out.[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Why FG should intervene in Abia State. The Sun. Daniel Nwuzor. 17 September 2015. 25 September 2015.
  2. News: Abia APC elects new 31-member state executive committee. News 24. Umuahia. 29 April 2014. 25 September 2015.
  3. News: Abia state governor Ikpeazu appoints SSG, 14 other aides. TV360 Nigeria. 3 June 2015. 25 September 2015.
  4. Web site: Online . Tribune . 2021-10-26 . Ikpeazu swears in 27 new commissioners . 2022-08-08 . Tribune Online . en-GB.
  5. News: Abia Sixth House Of Assembly Takes Off, Elects Speaker. The Guardian. Gordi Udeajah. Umuahia. 13 June 2015. 25 September 2015.
  6. News: Orji swears in Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe as Abia Chief Judge. DailyPost Nigeria. Wale Odunsi. 24 December 2014. 25 September 2015.
  7. News: Abia swears-in new Chief Judge to replace age cheat. Premium Times. 8 August 2013. 25 September 2015.
  8. Web site: ABIA STATE JUDICATURE. Law Nigeria. 25 September 2015. 26 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150926070812/http://lawnigeria.com/Judicature/State%20Judicature%20and%20Judiciary/AbiaStateJudicature.html. dead.
  9. Web site: COVID-19: Abia orders compulsory test for residents. 2021-02-06. Punch Newspapers. en-US.