One of my constant watchword to anybody who cares to read or listen to my weekly gospel, is that politics is a media game and any attempt to ignore this obvious fact would be catastrophic. In developing democracies like Nigeria, the media is a critical player whose role cannot be divorced by other key stakeholders in the act of governance. And that is why several scholars and philosophers have branded news-hunting profession several names. Far back in the 18th century, Edmurd Burke captured the press as the “Fourth Estate of the Realm” an estate, which many reasonable scholars including politicians have come to view as powerful and a critical factor in shaping the society. No wonder it is commonly said that the “pen is mightier than the sword”.
It is on this light that I dub this week’s edition of Agwodinuju column “Trumpeta, Imo Lawmakers and the Rescue Mission Abortion Law. As a non state-actor established to uphold the tenets of journalism based on high ethical standard, Trumpeta Newspapers, a predominant Imo state based newspaper with South East flanks while reviewing activities of the Imo State House of Assembly since the present lawmakers were inaugurated in June 2011, observed a captivating Bill passed into Law last year. In line with the 1999 Constitution of Fed Republic of Nigeria in section 22 which outlines the function of the Press to include among other things the functions of upholding “the responsibility and accountability of the Government of the people” the editorial crew observed that the Imo State Law No 12 of 2012 which Governor has given assent to by appending his signature on May 29, 2012 promotes abortion. Oblivious of the contents, Trumpeta went through the voluminous text of the law to discover contentious clauses added in the Law in chapter 40 (G) and (I) the law which states “Every woman shall have the right to enjoy reproductive rights including the right to medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest and where the continued pregnancy endangers the life of the physical, mental psychological or emotional health of the mother”.
Alarmed at this vexatious inclusion Trumpeta like a strategic partner in tenuous relationship with other institutions compared the observations with legal experts and Pro-lifer campaigners on the implications of the offensive clause. As part of its fundamental role of serving as the eye, ear and voice of the people and maintaining the statutory functions of the “right of the public to know”, the tabloid unveiled the obnoxious law with a bold caption “Imo Government Legalizes Abortion”. Consequent upon this revelation, the media was awash with widespread condemnation of the law. The heightened media ruckus propelled by Archbishop Anthony Obinna and the Catholic Medical Doctors prompted Governor Okorocha to have a rethink. Despite earlier denials from the Speaker of the House and the Governor that no Abortion law was signed in Imo, the troubled number one citizen of the state made a volte face on the floor of the House of Assembly when he compelled the State Assembly to begin process for amendment of the law perceived to be pro-termination of unborn babies. Like a democrat and listening leader who considers the feelings and body language of his subjects, Governor Okorocha apologized to Imolites and assured that there would be amendment.
Since the Imo State Governor has wittingly asked for forgiveness, it would amount to waste delving into factors that is surrounding the controversy in the law. While I commend the State Governor for bowing to popular demand and accepting that he erred by appending his signature for assent, there is need to expose the mendacious exhibitions of the State Lawmakers whose integrity are at stake. Recent developments have not only put a question mark on the laws passed by the state lawmakers in past two years but also a query to their legislative finesse to undertake a transparent process in the lawmaking for the benefit of the people of the state.
I stand to be corrected that Okorocha cannot sign a law advocating abortion in Imo State. From all indications, the Governor may have been a victim of his habitual non-adherence to due process and laid down regulations, which could be self-destructive. It is no longer news that Okorocha has no regard for due process in his style of running a “peculiar administration”. Even as I am not trying to do an unsolicited image laundering for the Chief Executive of the state, Okorocha undoubtedly signed the law unknowingly. The Governor has shot himself on the foot for failing to take a critical look at a document he signed. And the supreme price he has paid is public apology.
At least, the Governor’s expression shows the beauty of democracy where the leader is responsible to the electorates.
However, the insidious comments of the Speaker and few lawmakers denying the Abortion Law are an infantile attempt to pull wool over the controversial issue. Before discussing the vile postures of the lawmakers, let me give a little information about my relationship with the present lawmakers.
I have always found it extremely difficult passing a remark on the Imo State House of Assembly since I bid bye to the place two years ago and went back to my normal pen-pushing beat. The reason is not far-fetched. Having served as a Chief Press Secretary to a Speaker of the House for four years I still continue to see myself as part of the state legislature. Despite my present status as a co-publisher of a local tabloid, Trumpeta and commentator on several issues that affects the country especially my dear Imo state, most times I am tempted to engage in media relations and packaging for the leadership and members of the House. My posturing stems from the fact that I am still part of the Imo Assembly having experienced life in the legislative arm of the Imo State Government and still enjoys rosy relationship with some of the present lawmakers who were lucky to secure a back-to-back ticket in 2011.
Besides, some attributes of the ebullient Speaker, Rt Hon Ben Uwajumogu not only evoke memoirs of my principal, Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah, who I served as CPS, but also remind me of another thoroughbred and humble politician of Ihitte/Uboma extraction, Rt Hon Jonas Okeke, who was Uwajumogu’s immediate predecessor in the House. Okeke and Uwajumogu have certain similarities that would make one think they are of same parents. Apart from colour, size and voice, the Ihitti/Uboma born lawmakers are welfare-oriented and anybody who have associated with them can testify because I am a living witness.
During my House of Assembly days, I served Opiah and Okeke without reservations and it drew me closer to some of his “boys” from Ihitte/Uboma which Uwajumogu gladly accepted to work with. By these, I still take Uwajumogu as my principal and same would apply to any number one lawmaker in the House. I strongly belief that once a CPS to Speaker, is always a CPS to a Speaker, irrespective of the identity and political lineage or ideology of the principal.
Apart from Uwajumogu, I have not also failed to enjoy warm relationship with the ranking members of the present House except the member representing Obowo State Constituency, Hon Celestine Ngaobiwu. We have not crossed each others part in the past but we are not familiar and never had intimate discussions between 2007 to 2011 unlike Honourables Sam Daddy Anyanwu, Ikenna Emeh, Simon Iwunze, Stan Dara and Dr Obioma Ekennia. Of all the aforementioned persons I knew Sam Daddy and Iwunze before they were elected in 2007 as lawmakers. My relationship with SamDaddy dates back to his days as Chairman of Ikeduru LGA. It was the period of my practice as itinerant pen-pushers when alongside other “Taliban” writers criss-crossed the state in search of news. My first step into Iho, Ikeduru Council Secretariat was the making of Sam Daddy who accommodated the interest of news men in all his endeavours. It was this romance that made journalists fight against the maltreatment and controversial suspension handed to him by the Imo State House of Assembly under Speaker Kelechi Nwagwu during Achike Udenwa’s era. Same applies to Iwunze who I had chance opportunity to interview. I can remember the night he offered drinks to selected Journalists including my partner, Henry Ekpe then Editor of Announcer Express at his Dreamland Hotel. We were waiting for his erstwhile political mentor and associate, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume to come and appreciate the new hotel building in 2005. Ararume missed his flight from Abuja to Owerri but had to be air lifted to PortHarcourt with a chattered jet before proceeding to Owerri around 10pm for the interactive session with the press. While we played the “waiting game” inside the Dreamland mini hall, Iwunze kept us busy with drinks.
For Dara, his intimate relationship with Opiah during that era drew us closer and even extended to his lieutenants till date. Same applies to Dr Ekennia and Emeh.
The essence of my analysis is to indicate that the above-mentioned distinguished honourable members I have respect for are my “Ogas” I hold them in high esteem and would not pick pen to disparage any of them on the pages of newspapers.
However, the Abortion Law saga has made me to have a rethink about my initial stance on the present House. Taking into consideration the brouhaha raised by the Catholic Church when this law got first hearing on the floor of the House during the last dispensation which made the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese to storm the complex for Public Hearing, I expect the ranking members to intimate the Speaker and other members the consequences of considering such law.
I must confess that Uwajumogu and some of his unrepentant colleagues have failed in their bid to convince Imolites that the about-to-be amended law has no bearing with Abortion. Their clay-footed expressions that what they passed was gender sensitive law is an exhibition of marked want of intelligence. I was worried that Tuesday’s Special Sitting, members continued the plausible explanation to cover up for lapses forgetting that people of the state are not children of the blind which must be led by hand without complaining.
Instead of avoiding browbeating and grandstanding on the issue and render unreserved apology, some members of the state legislature continue to exhibit hydra-headed incompetence. The fact remains that the lawmakers never went through the 40-page Bill and due process was not followed. I tasked one of them who happens to be a Facebook friend to make available empirical evidences like hansard, (the official verbal records of the House), Order Paper, video and recorded evidences to show that the Bill was read on the floor of the House for first Reading, underwent second Reading for preliminary debates, before mandatory Public Hearing. To buttress that the lawmakers were ignorant of the sensitive Abortion Clause ab initio never and were lousy about going through all the words contained in the Bill, I also requested my friend lawmaker, Ugonna Oziriugbo of Nwangele State Constituency to make public the video tapes where Speaker Uwajumogu or Deputy Speaker in his place adopted all the sections and clauses therein with the traditional gavel affirmation. The fact remains that since the sponsor of the motion, Mrs Adaku Ihuoma is a principal officer and wanted to add in her CV a Bill to her credit, the Lawmakers relegated statutory conditions for passage of the Bill to a law by reading only the preamble and final part thereby ignoring the main ingredient of the law where the Abortion clause was instituted. Am still waiting for the outcome of the challenge which my revered friend and lawmaker may not accomplish. To worsen the matter, some of the co-sponsors never took time to go through the Bill they are part of and was only informed about the Abortion clause by Trumpeta publication.
There is no gain saying in the fact that the recent exposure has woken up members of the House to their responsibilities.
Relatively, this Trumpeta exposure has again confirmed the newspaper’s penchant for playing the active role of the media becoming the watchdog of the society. Apologists of the Rescue Mission who bear grudges against the two year-old paper should have a rethink and be grateful to the management for constructive criticisms. Trumpeta has made several revelations that turned out to be true. When the newspaper wrote that General Hospitals have been sold, residents of the state thought it was a fluke but today it is reality. When it first squealed that there are plans to impeach Jude Agbaso as Deputy in the famous “Agbaso Going, Going…” headline, there were denials from several quarters, but no sooner than that they all licked the words and the Emekuku-born second in-command to Okorocha became a Goner.
Contrary to believe in some quarters Trumpeta is not on a witchhunt mission or against any administration. It is a tabloid established to exhibit high level professionalism and ethical standard in art of Journalism practice.
Without being unnecessarily petulant and obsequious, Trumpeta will maintain its trademark on the newsstands by digging up authentic information about emerging socio-political processes and alerting the public, thereby pushing the Government on the path of accountability and sincerety in the discharge of its duties.
Trumpeta is likening itself to one of the major daily newspapers in the country which blew open the fake certificate of disgraced former Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Salusi Buhari. Few weeks after Buhari was elected Speaker of the House in 1999, Thisday revealed that Buhari paraded a fake certificate from Toronto University, Canada. A shameless Buhari threatened Thisday and even went to court for defamation of character, but Thisday stood by its story. Further revelations proved the newspaper right and Salisu resigne
