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The Imo State House of Assembly came up as a result of the creation of Imo State early in 1976 by the General Murtala Mohammed administration. It did not take off until the Military handover in October, 1976 to a democratically elected government.
The history of the Assembly dates back to October, 1979 in the old Imo State comprising the present Imo, Abia and Ebonyi States, during the second Republic which lasted from 1st October 1979 to 30th December, 1983. On October 2nd, the first Imo State Legislature was inaugurated by the State Governor, His Excellency, Chief Samuel O. Mbakwe.
The Imo State House of Assembly operated from a temporary site at the Ama JK within the premises of the Owerri Municipal Council, in a building which later housed the Armed Robbery and firearms Tribunal.
At the inauguration of the House, RT. Hon. Barr. Gideon Atuloma emerged the speaker of the Legislature; while Hon. Okechukwu Okaibedi was elected his Deputy. At the expiration of the first Legislative by the end of September 1983, the Second House took off early October 1983, with Hon. Barr. S.N. Onyeama as Speaker; while Hon. Barr. Anomnachi became his Deputy. The tenure of this legislature was very short as the democratically elected governor was overthrown on 30th December, 1983 by General Muhammadu Buhari.
On December 23, 1991, its permanent site located off Port-Harcourt Road, Owerri, was commissioned by the then Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in preparation for the third Republic.
The Imo Legislature stayed in Limbo until January 3rd 1992 when in line with the transition programme of General Ibrahim Babangida, it was inaugurated. Rt. Hon. Chief Maxwell Duru was elected Speaker while Hon. Okechukwu Dike was elected Deputy Speaker. Hon. Chief Jones Uzoka was appointed Majority Leader, Hon. Nkem Nwankwo Jr.-Majority Chief Whip, Hon. Barr. C.O.C. Mgbaahuru was appointed Minority Leader while Hon. Barr. Soronnadi Njoku was also appointed Minority Whip.
On November 17th 1993 the legislature was sacked by General Sani Abacha who also dismantled all the democratic structures established during Babangida's transitioinal programme.
Following the return to democracy on Saturday 29th May 1999, the Imo State House of Assembly was inaugurated on June 2nd 1999. On 6th June, 1999 the Principal Officers of the 27 member house were elected /appointed. RT. Hon. Barr. Noel Agwuocha Chukwukadibia, who represented Ahiazu Mbaise Constituency, was elected Speaker while Hon. Jonathan Ogu Onyeama, representing Nkwerre constituency was elected Deputy Speaker. Hon. Standford Onyirimba, representing Ehime Mbano was appointed the Majority Leader by the party. Hon. Barr. Marcel Onuoha representing Isu was appointed Minority Leader. Hon. Steve Orji, representing Orlu was appointed Majority Chief Whip while Hon. Dr. Sam Emeka Ukaegbu, representing Ikeduru was appointed Minority Whip. Other officers of the House were Hon. Ernest Ibejiako representing Owerri Municipal was Deputy Majority Leader; Hon. Dr. Ezeadi O. Ezeadi representing Okigwe was deputy Majority Whip. Hon. Gabriel Sonny Amadi representing Owerri West was Deputy Minority Leader and Hon. Ernest Emeghebo representing Onuimo was Deputy Minority Whip.
It must be noted that in September 2001, there was a change in the leadership of the party during which Rt. Hon. Barr. Nnaemeka Maduagwu representing Owerri North was appointed Speaker and Hon. Oliver Akpaka representing Nwangele became Deputy Speaker. In August 2002, another change in leadership took place in which Rt. Hon. Barr. Godfrey Dikeocha representing Aboh Mbaise was elected Speaker. There were no further changes until the winding up of the 4th House, 1st Assembly on 2nd June 2003.
