National Assembly: Théodore Datouo Is Speaker

Anxiety! That's the atmosphere characterised the National Assembly prior to the voting of the permanent bureau of the House. The sitting space was full to brim with even the corridors and hallways occupied. Then the provisional bureau led by the eldest member, Hon. Marlyse Toute Soppo made its entrance into the hemicycle. After verifying the quorum in accordance with Section 47 of the Standing Orders, she then declared the Chambers fit to carry out deliberations. Just one item on the agenda of the plenary sitting: the voting of the permanent bureau of the House in accordance with Section 16(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly. The bureau, in conformity with the legislation consists of a Speaker, a Senior Deputy Speaker, five Deputy Speakers, four Questors and 12 Secretaries. After opening deliberations, she called on the presentation of candidacies for the post, usually done by a Parliamentary Group Leader. With just the CPDM having such a group, Hon Roger Melingui took to the floor and proposed the candidacy of Hon. Théodore Datouo. Without any other candidate, the legislators then proceeded to voting. There were a total 147 valid votes cast, 133 in favour of the lawmaker from the Upper Plateau in the West Region and 14 empty ballots. He thus emerged winner with a 90,47 per cent valid vote cast. He thus replaces Cavaye Yeguie Djibril who has been Speaker of the National Assembly for over three decades. After being proclaimed Speaker by the eldest member, he walked and greeted other legislators who cheered him to his new seat. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the National Chairman of the CPDM, Paul Biya for the confidence bestowed on him and promised to be a listening ear to all Members of Parliament. He equally extended gratitude to his colleagues for voting him. "To all, I say thank you very much," he said. Hon. Théodore Datouo also paid homage to his predecessor, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril who has occupied the presidency of the law-making House with what h...