Recent capacity building workshop and refresher course embarked upon by members of the Imo state House of Assembly to South Africa may not be a mere jamboree as speculated in some quarters as the state lawmakers on their return have began to not only assert the independence of the legislative arm but also uphold the tenets of democracy.
Members of the House who jetted out of the country last week on return resumed plenary yesterday to put to rest the controversial question of the non – swearing – in of the member – elect for Oguta state constituency, Chief Eugene Dibiagwu as he was sworn – in and accepted as member representing the area in state Assembly.
In a brief, and mild but colourless ceremony held in the House, Dibiagwu was sworn – in by the clerk, Barr Chris Duru, thereby ending the prolonged debacle over Oguta State Assembly seat.
Indications that Dibiagwu’s troubles would be over emerged during the recent trip toSouth Africafor legislative update. It was learnt that the issue of Oguta Assembly seat was at the front burner of discussion as members irrespective of party affiliation bared their minds on the issue.
The issue reached an alarming crescendo when members in the course disagreement either for or against almost engaged in fistcuffs. The skirmish was the sore point of theSouth Africatrip as some aggrieved members uncomfortable with the situation hurriedly picked their luggage and raced back to Owerri.
Having realized that it would be undemocratic and a self – destructive tendency not to swear – in Dibiagwu, the Speaker, Ben Uwajumogu and his colleagues resolved to swear in the Oguta member – elect on return toNigeria.
Despite the prolonged blackout that enveloped the House of Assembly since the members vacated toSouth Africa, an emergence power supply was restored for the members to resume their plenary session for the purpose.
In contrast to the normal practice of going on air to announce House resumption and text messages to members for the plenary sessions, the leadership of the House was tactical as members found their way to the Assembly complex.
Imo Trumpeta learnt that the action of the House may not be unconnected to the desire to avoid external influence concerning the matter. The House tried to avoid part interference and executive interest on the Dibiagwu issue. The low – key manner that characterized the swearing- in was said to have been modeled to ensure that the Oguta member – elect did not flood the Assembly complex with unwanted crowd, especially the dreadful Izombe, Oguta masquerades that almost tormented the Assembly family during last months botched swearing-in exercise.
The swearing –in which took place at about 3:30pm was witnessed by enthusiastic few persons. While congratulating Dibiagwu, the newly – sworn in member to the fold, the Speaker Rt. Hon Uwajumogu urged him to be a good lawmaker. However, the Speaker described him as the third prince in the House and the second native doctor by the virtue of his name Dibiagwu.
Responding, Honourable Dibiagwu expressed gratitude to God who made it possible for him to be sworn – in at last.
He also thanked the Speaker and his colleagues who despite all odds swore him in as a member of the state legislature and promised to work towards the development of his constituency,ImoStateand indeed the country in general.
Congratulating him on the swearing – in, most of the Honourable members said that they have been relieved from the reactions of the public who has different views over the lingering swearing – in ceremony.
Meanwhile, wild jubilation followed Dibiagwu’s swearing in especially among PDP faithfuls and people of Oguta who have been denied representation for more than fifteen months since the inception of the present regime.
