The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Dennis Guwor, has been elected Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria.
Guwor emerged during an extraordinary meeting of the Conference held in Abuja on Monday, where Speakers from across the federation converged for the session.
He was elected unopposed by his colleagues, following his widely acknowledged leadership record and service as Treasurer of the Conference since 2023.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abdulkarim Lawal, was elected Deputy Chairman of the Conference.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abdulmalik Sarikin Dani, was chosen as Treasurer, replacing Guwor.
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly emerged as Financial Secretary, alongside other officials elected into key positions.
In his acceptance remarks, Guwor expressed deep gratitude to his colleagues for entrusting him with the leadership of the national body.
He described his election as a collective mandate to strengthen democracy, enhance legislative standards, and reposition state assemblies within Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
The new Chairman said the responsibility carried enormous expectations, pledging to lead with integrity, fairness, courage, and dedication to public service.
Guwor emphasised that the Conference serves as a unifying platform for subnational legislatures, especially at a time of growing public demand for responsive governance.
He noted that Speakers play a critical role in shaping development through lawmaking, budget oversight, and representation of citizens’ aspirations.
The Chairman pledged bipartisan cooperation to promote legislative independence, accountability, capacity building, and harmonized best practices across state assemblies.
He also promised stronger intergovernmental relations and improved citizen engagement to rebuild confidence in democratic institutions.
According to him, the Conference under his leadership will prioritize action, reform, innovation, professionalism, and national unity.
Guwor appreciated Delta State for providing the foundation for his rise and thanked Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori for his consistent support.
He also acknowledged members of the Delta State House of Assembly, his constituents, and God Almighty for guidance and strength.
The new Chairman commended the outgoing leadership of the Conference, pledging to build on their achievements.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Delta Speaker, Mr Nkem Nwaeke, described the election as a major milestone in Guwor’s legislative leadership career.
