As a spokesman of a national body with operational base in Abuja, the nation’s capital, I have turned to be a frequent visitor to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in recent times. In my brief sojourn in the beautiful city of Abuja, I have never resisted the urge to dig into a the activities of Imo state ambassador discharging their functions as elected members of the National Assembly.
Similar to what is due to other states in the federation, Imo also has three senatorial zones but a peculiar ten federal constituencies. Each of the above mentioned electoral divide has an elected member representing their interest in the National Assembly.
Disturbing skirmishes bordering on election of principal officers had dogged the smooth beginning of the two levels of legislative houses, known as the Red and Green Chambers. Irrespective of the challenges posed by teething problems witnessed in the APC ranks at the commencement of the 8th National Assembly, some distinguished national lawmakers have shown signs that business of the Senate and House of Representative have kick started in earnest.
Though as one observing activities of the two Chambers from a peripheral distance, I might not be acquainted with full details of the milestones recorded so far by the Senators and the Reps members representing Imolites in the Abuja lawmaking body. My commentary will unavoidably dwell more on outward reports and close observation of some elected office holders in Abuja who have the pleasure to open their operations to media reach.
I have always had the belief that politics is a media game and any attempt by political gladiators to jettison attention of publicists could be at their own risk. For Christians, it is believed that God who created the world may have employed the services of journalists who recorded and told the story contained in the Bible about creation. Subsequent biblical details can be said to be the handiwork of newsmen of that period.
While I am not interested in the subject above whom I gave brief attention, I have a brief reporter’s diary of the journey so far for Imo Senators and House of Reps Members in the present dispensation.
From the Red Chamber,Sam Daddy Anyanwu, Senator representing Owerri Zone can be said to be gladdening the heart of his constituents who found him worthy to be their eye in the Upper Legislative Chamber. Samdaddy who is fast entering the records books as a lucky politician to have benefited elective posts other than the House of Reps and Governor positions has become a shining light in the Senator. The unassuming Amaimo-Ikeduru born Senator has catapulted himself into stardom if his recent exploits on the floor of the Red Chamber are anything to reckon with. Still fresh from the Imo State House of Assembly where he had a back-to-back profit, from 2007 to 2015, SamDaddy even surprised his critics when he took centre on the floor of the Senate Chamber, When tension heightened that an earthquake would shake the foundation of the new Senate over the leadership of Saraki and Ekweremmadu, the Owerri Zone Senator came out with a master stroke that calmed frayed nerves of Nigerians who showed disturbing palpitations about the gloomy future of the few months old Senate. In a rare display of legislative bravery, SamDaddy stunned Nigerians when he articulated a motion that won accolades among his colleagues. His perfect display saw others join to give it a yes answer. Notwithstanding his first timer status in the Senate, SamDaddy dazzled onlookers with a fine presentation that saw the Senate president get an overwhelming confidence vote from all the Senators present without a dissenting voice. The dexterity and courage employed by SamDaddy to drive home his motion remains a case study for close watchers of Senate affairs. The act has earned him higher marks in the Senate despite his non ranking status.
Worthy to note is the Chairman of Committee status he quickly earned after the superlative show on the floor of the Senate Chamber. Among the few ad hoc committees raised so far by Saraki to get the ground running, SamDaddy merited a Committee chairman seat, and the only one from South East. He was also part of the Senate delegation to Borno State on visit Internally Displaced Persons, IDS, in the crisis torn North East area. It will not be an exaggeration to state that SamDaddy has launched himself into the mainstream of Senate power brokers as continues to Saraki continues to dictate the pace in the Upper Chamber.
At the home front, the former state lawmaker has been able to embark on a reach out to federal establishments in his zone to familiarize with the management of the affected institutions. The strategic visit to is aimed at acquainting himself with the problems afflicting places like FUTO, ALVAN, and FECOLART.
While much has not been heard from the Senator representing Orlu Zone, Hope Uzodinma who has a peculiar way of touching the lives of his people, Athan Achonu of Okigwe has not only raised his voice to contribute to a debate on the floor of the Senate Chamber, but also played hosts to various groups from his area.
In the House of Reps, Chike Okafor opened the floodgate for a meaningful contributions from Imo exports to the national assembly when he took to the floor to adopt the motion nominating the eventual winner of the Speakership position, Yakubu Dogara. The member representing Obowo/Ihitte Uboma/Ehime Mbano heralded the good tidings being witnessed in the Green Chamber by Imo State Federal lawmakers.
However, the legislator who has shown that he is not in the nation`s capital for a picnic is Goodluck Nanah Opiah, a speaker emeritus of the Imo State House of Assembly and member representing Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, and Oru West Federal Constituency. Having told the world what his constituents are going through following the gas explosion that occurred in a nearby oil facility in a border town in Rivers State, Opiah went further to employ legislative instruments to find a remedy to the environmental hazards the gas explosion from AGIP oil facility caused people of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta, sharing boundaries with Ebocha in Rivers state divide of Egbema kingdom.
Opiah`s motion last Tuesday which was delivered with tact and legislative finesse won the admiration of House members in the Green Chamber, thereby forcing the Speaker, Dogara to immediately state that a committee with a mandate to report back in four weeks shall be set up to investigate the matter and report back to the House its findings on the unfortunate gas explosion.
Besides that, Opiah has been able to delve into the incessant cases of cult-induced killings that ravaged Egbema communities recently, by gathering stakeholders for a roundtable discussion. The initiative has played out positively with the remote and immediate causes as well as the key players in the sordid acts have been identified with culprits singing canary to security agencies who are investigating the matter.
One lawmaker who has not lost touch of the home front is the Member representing Mbaitoli/Ikeduru, Henry Nwawuba. The House of Reps member has made his constituency a must touch every weekend by attending several functions aimed at keeping his people abreast with developments at the National Assembly. Bede Eke representing Ngor Okpala/Aboh Mbaise has also added his voice. On Tuesday he joined the rank of motion movers by sponsoring a call to look at Nigeria’s economy. Apart from a visit to Imo Airport and Federal Poly, Nekede, Eke also a two-time lawmaker paid an unscheduled visit to the Uburu market in Aboh Mbaise razed by fire
As both chambers have more days and years to habour the activities of the 8th National Assembly, the exploits of federal lawmakers will continue to manifest which inadvertently will be of great interest to Imolites who gave them the mandate to be their men in Abuja
