The Imo State House Of Assembly has condemned, in strong terms, the silence of some Political Leaders and other stakeholders on issues of insecurity in the State, due to their perceived vested interest.
Moving the motion entitled “MOTION TO CONDEMN ATTACKS ON IMO STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE SECURITY AGENCIES FOR TACKLING ACTS OF VIOLENCE, INCLUDING BANDITRY, KIDNAPPING, KILLINGS, STEALING, ARSON, CULTISM AND OTHER FORMS OF SERIOUS OFFENCES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF IMO STATE”, the member representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency, Hon Chief Eddy Obinna, explained that his motion was borne out of patriotism, pointing out that Elders, Political Leaders and Stakeholders must rise to the occasion, when it is absolutely necessary to discuss/condemn issues that threaten the unity of the State. He explained that Imo State has in recent time bedeviled with grave acts of terrorism, violence, banditry, cultism, arson etc, by some Groups of unscrupulous Men parading as “Unknown Gun Men”. Hon Eddy Obinna noted that these Groups of unscrupulous Men have consistently killed, maimed and beheaded the good people of Imo State and burnt houses of Innocent Men and Women, for no just cause, and without provocation.
Hon Eddy Obinna , who is also the Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly equally noted that the State Government led by His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma and the Security Agencies have been proactive in tackling these acts of violence and terrorism, so as to protect the lives and property of the people, as well as maintain law and order in the State.
Nevertheless, He observed that some self acclaimed Stakeholders in the State are always mute when Innocent Citizens are Kidnapped, beheaded, maimed , and in some cases, their houses burnt, but always grandstand to condemn the State Government and Security Agencies anytime the Security Operatives rise up to fight these Acts of Violence perpetuated by these “Self Styled “Unknown Gunmen”.
The laudable Motion was seconded by Rt Hon Uju Onwudiwe, member representing Njaba State Constituency.
The Motion which was Co-sponsored by Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Hon Uju Onwudiwe, Hon Dominic Ezerioha, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, Rt Honourable Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Hon Johnson Duru, Rt Honourable Chiji Collins, Hon Emeka Nduka and Hon Ngozi Obiefule further commended His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma for his developmental strides, especially on solid road infrastructure, Health Care delivery, Buildings, Administration, Employment etc, despite clandestinely sponsored acts of insecurity in the State.
Supporting the Motion, Hon Barrister Emeka Nduka (Ehime Mbano) noted that negative propaganda on insecurity have been maliciously used to blackmail the State Government and Security Agencies, even when Government and Security Agencies have been doing their best to contain the situation and finally nip it in the bud.
In her submission, Hon Mrs Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba) cried out, “Are we going to watch our children die in the hands of these bandits, parading as “Unknown Gunmen”? I am angry. As a Mother, I can never support evil. Any Stakeholder who refuses to condemn what is happening in the State, is not worthy to be respected”. She also commended the State Governor for his efforts in tackling the Security challenges facing the State in recent time. Hon Uju Onwudiwe, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Education , described Imo State as a State known for Hospitality, Education, Peace, Love, Joy etc.
Also, supporting the Motion, the Chief Whip and Member representing Oru East State Constituency, Prayed for a Minute Silence, for all who have lost lives since this insecurity started. Contributing further, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri said it has not been easy for him and his Oru West State Constituency colleague, Hon Barr Dominic Ezerioha. He advised Political Leaders to stop politicising the killing of Imo Citizens, by reacting only when Security Agents do their job. He wondered why these Political Leaders and other stakeholders would be shouting Blue murder whenever Security Agents decide to do their job. The Chief Whip therefore called for the Investigation of some of these stakeholders, to find out if they are the ones sponsoring Insecurity in the State. ” What do they want to achieve, by playing Politics with the lives of Imolites”, he submitted .
Also, in his submission, the Majority Leader and member representing Owerri West State Constituency, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, stated that Political detractors are ganging up against the government of the day. According to the Majority Leader, “we remember how some of them said they would make the State ungovernable. Let us therefore rise to the occasion and ensure these people are invited to explain what they mean that the state would be ungovernable”.
In his contribution, Hon Barrister Dominic Ezerioha said that the people of Oru West and Oru East State Constituencies were killed, unfortunately, some stakeholders exposed their vested interest by jumping to blame and condemn Government and Security Agencies, even when Investigation was still ongoing. He therefore condemned the action of these stakeholders, for being mute in the face of the Insecurity, but jump into conclusion by making inciting statements against the State Government. Hon Dominic Ezerioha thereafter appealed to the people of Oru East and West Constituencies to calm down and allow Security Agencies to conclude their Investigation of what happened to the 15 youths. He condoled with the families and State Government for the loss of lives.
Hon Engr Johnson Iheonukara Duru, member representing Ideato South State Constituency, in his contribution declared that Imo State is bedeviled and under attack by Unknown Gunmen, who have been causing havoc and killing people mindlessly. He narrated an incident that happened recently to his friend in the State. According to him, “a friend is building a house, Unknown Gunmen wrote him a letter that he should bring money, if he wished to continue with the project”. He stated that government was tackling Insecurity, and at the same time providing solid Infrastructural Development, but some stakeholders are using Insecurity to fight Government. He therefore called on Security Agencies to speed up their Investigation on the recent incident.
In her contribution, Hon Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, member representing Isu State Constituency expressed worry that activities of Men Of the underworld, parading as Unknown Gunmen, are getting out of hand. She challenged stakeholders to rise to the occasion and start condemning these acts of Hooliganism and Banditry : noting that people no longer visit their villages. She explained that recently two Police officers were gunned down in her local government.
Before the Vibrant and Ebullient Speaker Of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh put the Motion for adoption, he commended the Chief Sponsor of the Motion, Hon Chief Eddy Obinna, for his foresight and initiative in bringing up the Motion at the time. Speaker Kennedy Ibeh nevertheless added, *”Must You Be Governor before Imo State can have peace? Those who claim to be Messiahs have been raising false alarm, even when His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma is working round the clock to ensure Security of Lives and Property in the State”.
- In the absence of further commendation for or against the Motion, the Rt Honourable Speaker, Chief Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, proceeded with the prayers of the Motion, thus : *Be it resolved by this Honourable House *:
A. To condemn in very strong terms the attacks on the State Government and Security Agencies for their efforts in tackling various acts of violence in the State, aimed at restoring peace and order.
B. To urge the Governor of Imo State to continue with the good work he is doing in Imo State, in areas of massive road construction, building, employment and rehabilitation of our Health Centers and generally, providing Dividends Of Democracy, and not be distracted.
C. Be it further resolved to urge His Excellency The Governor Of Imo State, to direct Security Agencies to Investigate Acts of Threats from some stakeholders to make the State ungovernable.
This was unanimously adopted, with no dissenting voice.
Earlier before the above Motion, a Motion of urgent State and Public Importance was brought up, chiefly sponsored by Hon Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, member representing Isu State Constituency.
In a bid to put a stop to the ongoing disenfranchisement and victimization of Imo Candidates seeking admission into the Federal Government Girls College Owerri and extortion of Parents of intending students, Hon Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, in her Motion drew the attention of the House to the arbitrary increase of Cut Off Mark from the Federal Government approved 151 to 175 by the Principal of Federal Government Girls College Owerri, Mrs F. C. Obiagu.
Hon Obiefule observed that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education gives Cut Off Marks as the score a student should get to ensure admission to Federal Government Colleges. Noting that the Principal of Federal Government Girls College Owerri, Mrs F. C. Obiagu arbitrarily increased the Cut Off Mark from 151 to 175. Noting further that the increase has disfranchised students who scored above the approved 151 Cut Off Mark by the Federal Ministry of Education. According to Hon Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, the situation exists in the school where Hundreds of Thousands of Naira are demanded before admission is given to students who scored below 151 Cut Off Mark or below the Principal’s 175 Cut Off Mark, as the case may be.
Hon Mrs Ngozi Obiefule therefore called for the invitation of the School Principal, Mrs F. C. Obiagu to explain why she increased the Cut Off Mark arbitrarily.
The Motion was seconded by Rt Honourable Barrister Innocent Arthur Egwim, member representing Ideato North State Constituency.
Having heard the Motion by Hon Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, and supporting contributions of Honourable members, the Able Rt Honourable Speaker, Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, proceeded with the prayers of the Motion, thus :
Be it resolved by this Honourable House
A. To invite the Principal of Federal Government Girls College Owerri to explain why she increased the Cut Off Mark
B. To invite, by Public Announcement, Parents Whose Children scored above 151 to hear their inhuman treatment by the Principal.
This was unanimously adopted, with no dissenting voice.
Also, the Bill For A Law To Amend The Faith-Based And Private Schools Of Nursery And Midwifery (Establishment) Law No 17 Of 2019, Chiefly Sponsored By Rt Honourable Chiji Collins and Co-sponsored by Rt Honourable Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, hon Barrister Frank Ugboma and Hon Engr Johnson Duru, successfully Passed Through the Second Reading and is now in the Joint Committee.
