By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
Out of the heart of a man does his actions flow. The Bible was specific
about this when it posited that ” a man speaketh from the abundance of
his heart”. Indisputably, our actions are conceived in our hearts.It
will not also be wrong to assume that the speaker of the 7th Abia House
of Assembly, Hon. Chinedum Orji spoke profoundly from the abundance of
his hearth in his inaugural speech during the inauguration of the
current house.
Nigerian politics has been characterized by do-or- die mentality that
has generated scome tension and acrimony even when the political contest
is over. This has necessitated the spilling of political disagreements
to decades ahead. But here is kudos to the honourable speaker who has
demonstrated profound magnanimity in victory when he announced that even
though people opposed his emergence as the speaker of the house, that he
sees those oppositions from the perspective of people exercising their
prerogative, nothing more. He also enjoined those sympathetic with his
ambition to see it in that light. What a wonderful way to rein in
supporters?.
“I note that a number of us Members of this 7th House were eminently
qualified to emerge Speaker of the House but you have chosen me to lead
you as 1st among equals. I bear no grudge against anyone who indicated
interest in contesting this seat with me as they were exercising their
natural prerogatives. I therefore call on my friends and supporters not
to cast aspersions on anyone in my name. We are one family and we will
remain so”.
Though the speaker indicated in the speech that a comprehensive work
plan that will guide the activities of the 7th house will be rolled out
later, what he considered the pointers of the house, have enormous
capabilities of turning the state around if fully actualised.More
significant is the promise that the 7th house will be the people’s house
where all decisions will bear human face” This 7th Abia State House of
Assembly shall be vibrant and result-oriented. We are the House of the
people, by the people and for the people and we shall endeavour to make
the people the centre-point of all our actions and decisions. We are
therefore committed to the enactment of sound laws and legislation that
will help in uplifting the lives and well-being of Ndi Abia”.
Other things being equal, we are expecting a very active house that will
not relent to wield its big hammer on those who are ever willing and
ready to disobey the laws and resolutions passed by the house. Equally,
those who have cultivated it as habits to slow down the progress of the
state by non- implementation of the directives of Governor Okezie
Ikpeazu will be sanctioned appropriately.Indeed, there is no more room
for drawing the clock of progress of the state back either in deeds or
spoken words.
Beside the legislative and other related functions of the house, members
of the 7th house will stretch these functions a bit to accommodate the
provision of social amenities to their constituents. This will go a long
way in shading the executive of some burden of discharging this enormous
function alone. We strongly believe that the members if empowered, as
strongly promised the honourable speaker, will not hesitate to ensure
that these dividends filter down to the people.
More cheering is that Abians expect a house that will not be polarized
along party lines. Thought the members emerge along different party
platforms,it is expected that party interests would be consumed by
collective interests for the common good of the state. On this note,
rancour and infighting occasioned by party interests would be consumed
by a collective aspiration to move the state forward.
It is interesting that the youths would be captured in the centre stage
of the activities of the 7th house and the narrative is bound to change
from giving the youths fish to teaching them how to fish. The 7th house
is strongly poised in assisting measure that would help to provide
employment opportunities to the youths. Such measures will manifest in
the form of helping the executive to actualise projects tailored along
that line such as Enyimba Economic City Project which impact we ensure
that thousands of Abia youths would bid goodbye to unemployment.
Finally, there is a caveat to the “fifth columnists” whose
stock-in-trade are to sow seed of discord between the two arms that
would introduce the spirit of suspicion and rancour and serve as a clog
in the wheel of progress of the state. Such attempts are stillbirth as
promised by the honourable speaker.
As we look forward to the fulfilment of these laudable proposals by the
speaker, let us share in his supplications “I wish to assure you that at
all times, I will endeavour to do my best to continue to deserve this
confidence and trust that you have so resoundingly reposed in me today.
God being my helper, I will not disappoint you”.