By Onyekachi Eze
Following the shocking suspension of six members of the Imo State House of Assembly last week Thursday by the Leadership of the House, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu representing Ikeduru State Constituency has opened can of worms.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem had during the plenary session of July 8, 2021 suspended the following members for what he termed, “unparliamentary conduct”.
They are; Honorables; Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West), Kennedy Ibeh (Obowo), Philip Ejiogu (Owerri North), Uche Ogbuagu (Ikeduru), Michael Onyemaechi Njoku (Ihitte/Uboma), Anyadike Nwosu (Ezinihitte Mbaise).
The development, Trumpeta Assembly Vibes observed has sparked off worry among political pundits and affected LGAs.
However, the Ikeduru Legislator has taken time to reveal his ordeals in the House since after his removal from the Majority Leader position.
In a media release signed by Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, obtained by this Newspaper, he revealed that since after his removal as Majority Leader, the Speaker has been disapproving all his motions and petitions coming to the Chambers.
Ogbuagu further explained that among all the Lawmakers, he is the only one without any Committee assigned to him by Speaker Paul Emeziem.
Also, he said that he was never been given the opportunity to speak on the floor of the House, yet, he remained committed to the Legislative tenets, with the sole aim of representing Ikeduru people effectively.
Briefing his constituents through the press release, Hon. Ogbuagu said, “As your Legislator in the State Assembly, I have not ceased to exercise my responsibility in defending and pleading the Ikeduru course at the hallowed chambers during each plenary. The volume of work I have done legislatively, my oversight functions, coupled with the projects sited across Ikeduru has clearly shown that my being voted into office has been justified up to a reasonable extent that even my critics can attest to this fact”.
“It still beats my imagination the reasons adduced for labeling my representation as un-parliamentary conduct;.
“Since my inauguration on June 13, 2019, by the Grace of God, I have executed 54 people oriented verifiable projects across Ikeduru and our neighbouring Mbaitoli;
“I was elected as Majority Leader in March 2020. I held this position and discharged my duties creditably. Even at my unceremonial removal the year after, by Speaker Paul Emeziem, no reason has been given for that action till date, yet I did not allow it to derail my spirit or affect my legislative assignments”.
The Ikeduru Lawmaker reiterated that on that fateful Thursday inside the Chambers, he neither opened his mouth, nor raised his hands up, until his name appeared as the fourth person in the suspension list of the Speaker.
He re-echoed that he has not done any wrong, legislatively, stressing that he won’t be deterred in exercising to the fullest, the mandate legitimately given to him by Ikeduru people.
Part of the release further stated,
“It still remains a mystery to me, so I considered it wise to let my Ikeduru people know the true position, while we look forward to hearing from Speaker Paul Emeziem to expatiate on what he meant by un-parliamentary conduct in line with the relevant sections of the Federal constitution of Nigeria and Imo Legislative Assembly Rules;
“I am a bold, audacious and courageous Ikeduruan who knows that even at National level, our LGA has notable and responsible people in politics, some dead and many alive;
“I owe it to you, a responsibility to render to you, sterling representation which will in turn bring developmental projects as never seen before in Ikeduru as envy,avarice, hatred, gagging, blackmail and calumny will never deter me, I promise”.
