STATE OF IMO: ASSEMBLY MINORITY CAUCUS COLLAPSES, KEEPS MUTE
It has become worrisome following the continued quietness of the opposition caucus of the Imo State House of Assembly.
The minority caucus comprising of seven Legislators messers; Anyadike Nwosu (Ezinihitte), Frank Ugboma (Oguta), Okey Onyekanma (Mbaitoli), Solomon Anukam (Owerri Municipal), Philip Ejiogu (Owerri North), Tochi Okereke (Ngor Okpala), and Paschal Okolie (Orlu).
The aforementioned are in the opposition group having remained in the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Suffice it to say that while the State is boiling with current insecurity trend, also affecting their respective constituencies, they have neither uttered a word nor issue out a press statement.
Their persistent quietness is said to be giving rise to worry and questions whether they have been silenced by higher authority not to speak in a dissenting voice.
Recall that as an opposition members, they are expected to do things in a unique way, different from their colleagues in the majority, aside the proper Law making which is their primary responsibility.
Apart from Hon. Philip Ejiogu (Owerri North) who mustered the courage to address the uprising insecurity situation in the State, no other member of the minority group has done so.
Indications have shown that as elected House members with the mandate of the people, they are seen as mouthpiece of the public in Government, especially the party that gave them the mandate.
The Minority Leader, Hon. Anyadike Nwosu as at the time of filing this report has neither called for a press conference nor come out to make an open statement that could be attributed to him.
In the same vein, one of the vocal members from Oguta State Constituency, Hon. Frank Ugboma who set the House rolling with strong Legislative arguments is said to have joined ship.
Reasons for that, although yet to be ascertained still baffles the Imo populace, especially those who believe that even if others decide to go silent, Ugboma wouldn’t have, hence it was legally and logically backed up.
“Maybe, he prefers not speaking as an individual, but waiting for his Minority brothers to come out as a group and do the needful”, a concerned Imolites remarked.
Judging from the recent activities in the National Assembly (House of Representatives), the Minority caucus were seen resenting to certain motions they described as unpopular, and championed the cause for good governance.
Therefore, for many people in Imo State, such force was expected of the Minority group, unless there is more than meets the eyes.
“WE CAN’T STOP UNTIL APC TAKES OVER ENTIRE IMO STATE” -SPEAKER
•DENIES PLOT TO DETHRONE NLEMIGBO
Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem has declared that they won’t stop at nothing than to ensure that Imo State is fully made an APC State.
The Speaker made this disclosure while addressing newsmen shortly after an event in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
According to the number one person in the State Legislature, he said the goal is to make Imo a fully registered and recognized APC State in the entire thirty-six States of the Federation.
He maintained that if possible, Imo State would be made a one party State, that is the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Speaker Paul Emeziem, who doubles as the Imo State APC Technical Committee on revalidation and membership drive, disclosed that already, the exercise has recorded a tremendous feat by registering over two million members against the initial figure targeted.
To this end, he commended the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma for his fatherly roles played so far that has gave the exercise a great boost.
Meanwhile, Emeziem has denied of alleged plans of dragging the party leadership with the caretaker Committee Chairman led by Prince Marcellinus Nlemigbo.
Speaker was being accused of dragging the position with Nlemigbo, following his involvement in the revalidation and membership process into the Imo State chapter of APC.
Debunking the perceived rumour, Emeziem described it as hand-work of mischief makers who do not want the progress of the party.
He attributed Nlemigbo as an exceptional Leader with the magic wands to pushing the party to greater heights.
The Imo number three citizen said his latest involvement was as a result of the position that was entrusted in his care, which he said was a huge success.
“Our party Chairman, Chief Barr. Marcellinus Nlemigbo is on top of his game. He is an exceptional leader and a team player. He knows it all as far as party leadership and management is concerned.
He has done well to allow every party member including my team and I to contribute our individual and collective quota towards the growth and development of the party. There is no reason whatsoever to drag the party management with Nlemigbo. So anyone who thinks otherwise as far as my role for the party recently is concerned is wrong”, Rt. Hon. Emeziem said.
INSECURITY: STATE LEGISLATURE BREAKS SILENCE
•SAYS, ATTACKS POLITICALLY INSTIGATED
Members of the the Imo State House of Assembly, 9th House, 3rd Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker, Paul Emeziem have finally opened up, after few months of maintaining silence.
Since the outburst of the security unrest rocking the entire State, members of the State Legislature have remained mute.
Their silence, at a point was considered incriminating following the important role the Legislative arm of Government plays in shaping the democratic processes.
However, while the public arose to condemn the worsening state of unrest in Imo, which has led to the destruction of Government and private structure, killings, arson, and numerous arrests of the citizenry, the State Lawmakers numbering twenty-seven preferred to stay silent, apart from the member for Owerri North, Hon. Philip Ejiogu who initially made a press statement to that effect.
Apparently awoken by one of Trumpeta Newspaper reports asking for the position of the Lawmakers in the matter, since they represent their respective LGAs, hence a press conference convened by the House last weekend.
The press release signed by the House Committee Chairman on Information, Hon. Duru Iheonukara Johnson, suspected all the happenings to be politically motivated.
It reads, “That the whole issue of insecurity in Imo State has political underpinnings, as such, politically instigated and covertly motivated to achieve some political ends”.
The House posited that they had earlier passed the Imo State Security Organization law, as a proactive step towards checkmating the security lapses in the State.
Part of the statement reads, “That we have it on good authority that IPOB and the ESN to our knowledge and understanding are not organizations founded on the principles of violence cum armed insurrection, rather advocates of Igbo liberation and security through peaceful non-violent means;
“That the Imo State House of Assembly hereby calls on critical stakeholders, leaders of thought, the Clergy and Traditional Institutions to rally round the government, in her quest to rid the state of elements of destabilization fomenting trouble in our dear state, and to endeavour to convoke meetings of all stakeholders, youths and political gladiators in their respective domains to further sensitize them on the need to refrain from any activities that could further exacerbate the already tensed security situation in the state;
“We call for restraint by security operatives in the discharge of firearms, while imploring them to apply professional conducts in the discharge of their duties in the state at all times”.
REPAINTING OF VEHICLES: COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT BACKS GOVT DIRECTIVE, TASKS DRIVERS NOT TO SEE EXERCISE AS WITCH HUNT
Imo State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Transport, and member representing Orsu State Constituency, Hon. Ekene Freedoline Nnodumele has backed the State Government on its move towards ensuring total compliance to the one colour identifiable commercial vehicles across the State.
The State Government, through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, on Tuesday reeled out fresh plans of mandating all commercial drivers to get their vehicles painted to a specified colour and pattern.
The order further stipulates that it must be complied with within 14 days of the announcement.
However, in a telephone conversation with the Transport Chairman of the House, Nnodumele said the instruction was in order, following the present insecurity situation in the State.
He recalled that few months ago, he presented the motion on the floor of the House, thereby added that the State Government led by Governor Hope Uzodinma has only resorted to implementing the resolutions of the motion.
Nnodumele opined that for the safety of Imolites, the repainting of buses and taxis are in order, as it would help to fully monitor and observe the vehicles coming in and going out of the State.
“With the prevailing insecurity circumstances in the State, it is important Government know who is who, who is operating in the State and routes they operate from. There was a gazetted colour already before Rochas Okorocha came onboard and bastardized the process;
“I am in total support of bringing back Imo taxi colour. Some months back, I moved a motion on that urging the Governor to do what he is doing today. The time frame may be too short and may not be feasible because I represent a people and I feel their impulse, but going back to the originality of Imo, which is blue and white with a stripe is commendable”.
Speaking on the cost implication and 14days ultimatum, the Orsu member said, “The cost implication is what I don’t know, but the Government has been fair enough by allowing them to do it on their own. If it were some States, Government would compel them to pay for the services;
“This will help in curbing the menace of insecurity and insurgence in this State, so that our citizens can enter a bus or taxi and feel safe”.
Nnodumele continued, “Although the exercise would ensure strict security surveillance in the State, the time frame may not be feasible because to some, their vehicles are in the mechanic. But, they can approach the Government for extension of one or two months through their regulatory bodies like the NURTW, among others”
