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The fate of persons nominated by Governor Rochas Okorocha for certain sensitive positions and boards of statutory commissions in Imo is hanging in the balance with the state lawmakers turning a blind eye to their final clearance.
It would be recalled that Okorocha few weeks ago nominated some persons as Chairmen and Members of boards and commissions in the state. As part of programs to re-constitute the state executive council, Okorocha re-organized some statutory organs of government like the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, Imo State Judiciary Service Commission, and the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ISOPADEC.
In line with the constitutional provisions establishing the aforementioned agencies, the names of the nominees were forwarded to the state legislature for screening and clearance. An ad-hoc committee armed with the responsibility of scrutinizing the particulars of the nominees headed by Member representing Aboh Mbaise, Hon Mrs Ngozi Pat Ekeji was raised.
At the appointed time for screening which was on Wednesday, the invited nominees who duly arrived the new Assembly Complex at Ojukwu Centre, Concorde Road, Owerri were shunned by the lawmakers, fueling speculations that Imo Assembly has jettisoned the statutory screening exercise to enable their inauguration.
Most of the enthusiastic nominees were flaggerbasted and disappointed when members sighted them at the Assembly premises and kept mute. Signs that the nominees journey to the state legislature would be a wasteful venture emerged when Members entered the traditional “Executive Session” preceding the plenary session.
Apart from an abnormal long hour spent during the Executive session, our correspondent who monitored the meeting observed that there were verbal exchanges among the lawmakers in the confided room which almost led to fisticuffs. It was further learnt that two principal officers of the House, Hon Donatus Ozoemena and Ngozi Pat Ekeji, Deputy Speaker and Minority Leader respectively were at the receiving end of thunderous attacks from other Members of the House for advocating for the nominees’ screening.
The issue of screening the Governor’s nominees for the various positions was however “killed” at the Executive Session as the issue was not mentioned finally during the plenary session that followed later.
Reasons for the indifference approach of the lawmakers to the screening of Governor’s nominees could not be made public during the plenary but the uncompromising act may not be unconnected to the seeming frosty relationship between the legislative and Executive arms in recent time. There were unconfirmed reports that the new disposition of the Members to subject the Governor’s request to normal legislative procedures would delay the screening exercise. Members were worried that the “Rescue” gospel has over stayed its welcome and everybody they are waiting for the “Mission” train to take off to enable them receive “goodies” associated with democracy dividends as elected representatives of the people.
The Members were further irked that despite partnering with Okorocha in the “Rescue Mission” spirit two years plus, nothing tangible, in terms of welfare and the expected “public relations” like “Messages from the Governor” has reached the lawmakers’ table.
Barely a year to intensive politicking for 2015 election and worried that this could be the last major cabinet reshuffle before Okorocha’s first tenure expires, the lawmakers have changed gear to apply all necessary rules and obligations before giving approval to the Governor’s recent nominees. Apart from requesting the Governor to “Play Ball” the new posture may be geared towards recognizing the position of the legislative arm in governance.
Nominees like ISOPADEC Chairman designate, Engr Alex Ogwazuo and his ISIEC counterpart, Barr Amaechi Nwoha looked dejected on Wednesday, when they came with necessary documents but remained unattended till Members dispersed.
Speculations were rife that they may wait for long to undergo the screening and confirmation when the House adjourned to October 16, for resumption of plenary.
