The last may not have been heard about the impasse and unpleasant controversy generated by the suspension of 6 members of the Imo State House of Assembly by the leadership of the House.
Aside the state wide condemnation of the Speaker, Mr Paul Emeziem’s action which they say is an unreasonable attempt to intimidate and cage the legislature at the instance of the executive, the Minority caucus in the House have also berated the Speaker, Hon Paul Emeziem, who they said is unfit and incompetent to preside over the affairs of the state legislature.
The aggrieved legislators who stated this in a release dated July 19, 2021 and signed by the Minority Leader and member representing Ezinihite Mbaise state constituency, on their behalf, averred that, “Rt Hon Paul Emeziem, since assumption of office as Speaker of the House of Assembly, has been on increased pressure to silence any voice of dissent in the assembly”.
They also frowned at the overzealous actions and antics of the Speaker who they said has cheapened the legislature which should check the excesses of the executive before the governor thereby eroding the respect, honour and dignity of the legislators hence the governor and his aides now treat them with disdain.
On the issue of the orchestrated autonomy said to have been granted to the state legislature, an APC lawmaker from Orlu zone who does not want his name in print told this reporter that, “the so-called autonomy is a farce aimed at hoodwinking the people. The Speaker Hon Emeziem hurriedly announced it after interacting with the governor who often attempts to control and dictate the pace of the legislature through the Speaker who has mortgaged the collective interest of members, their constituents and entire state by refusing to be assertive and stand on the side of truth, justice and fairness”.
“Another reason for hurriedly announcing the media hyped autonomy of the legislature was to deceitfully impress the president who had earlier directed that the issue of autonomy be domesticated in all states to douse agitations and put an end to persistent industrial actions”.
The legislator who faulted Imo State’s deceitful approach to the much talked about autonomy of the legislature noted that, “under normal circumstances and if the state government is sincere about the issue, of autonomy, it has to undergo a process which includes paper work that will involve the offices of the Accountant General and that of director of Finance of the Imo State House of Assembly. This will make it possible for the allocation of the State House of Assembly to go straight to its coffers. But this was not done. That is why most of us who are conversant with the antics and shenanigans of the Hope Uzodinma government know that the purported autonomy is not real. It was packaged to divert attention, impress the powers that be at Abuja and deceive unsuspecting Imo people”.
The APC legislator further posited that, “though I am loyal to the Speaker and also belong to his caucus, I faulted and did not support the suspension of the 6 members of the House because of the pressure and controversy it would generate which has ultimately ridiculed and projected the House in very bad light.
WATCHDOG
