Walter Duru, Ph.D<\/p>\n
In modern democratic societies, the legislature performs three conventional
\nfunctions of representation, law-making and oversight responsibilities. The
\n1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has
\nprovided the legislature in different sections, the powers to perform these
\nfunctions at both the central and state levels.<\/p>\n
The legislature controls through legislation, all economic, social and
\npolitical activities of the state or country. It also scrutinizes the
\npolicies of the Executive and provides the framework of the judiciary to
\noperate.<\/p>\n
Contrary to the above norm, in Imo State, there are three arms of
\nGovernment – the Executive, the Executive and the Executive. The executive
\nhas one name – Rochas Anayochukwu Ethelbert Okorocha, who rules the State
\n(with his family) as a conquered people. The State Assembly is mere O yes
\nrubber stamp. In Imo, it is the state versus her citizens, instead of the
\nstate for the citizens. I challenge whoever that thinks otherwise to prove
\nme wrong, with verifiable facts and superior argument(s).<\/p>\n
Anyone dreaming that recent developments at the State House of Assembly
\nsuggest they have woken up from slumber should wake up from that sleep and
\ntake some malaria pills. It is a huge joke and there is nothing like Imo
\nState House of Assembly; instead, we have Okorocha House of clowns, in
\npractical terms. What we have occupying the exulted positions of state
\nlawmakers is a bunch of timid opportunists and puppets, who believe that
\ntheir ascension to the state legislature is a special favour from the cad
\ngovernor of the state, hence, they owe him worship.<\/p>\n
How else do you describe a state Assembly that cannot boast of any
\nmeaningful people-oriented legislation since its inauguration? How else can
\none explain the fact that the only time people hear about Imo State House
\nof Assembly is when there is a Budget or Supplementary Budget to \u2018adopt;\u2019
\nnot pass, as this Assembly has never scrutinized any budget proposal
\nsubmitted to it. The budgetary process is done in utmost secrecy and is
\nmere ratification of the governor\u2019s submission. Sometimes, the budget is
\nsigned and spending commences before the so-called annual budget proposal
\nis submitted to the Assembly. Majority of the members of the State Assembly
\ndo not know what goes on in the legislature. Most legislative decisions are
\ntaken in the Executive Chambers. Another time you hear of the Assembly is
\nwhen there is a request for loan for the personal use of the \u2018Emperor\u2019 or
\nwhen there is an obnoxious anti people bill, usually sponsored by the
\nExecutive, through one of the puppets? A typical instance is that of the
\nanti-media bill, smuggled in through the Deputy Speaker, Ugonna Ozurigbo.<\/p>\n
They are at the beck and call of the Governor and have never and will never
\ninvestigate whatever the executive is doing. No questions are ever asked;
\nby the way, who, in the State Assembly has the guts to contemplate
\nquestioning the Governor or any of his allies?<\/p>\n
It is an indubitable fact that the Speaker of the State Assembly, Acho Ihim
\ntakes instructions from the executive and can do anything to please the
\nGovernor. Some other members of the State Assembly kneel before him and
\npractically tremble at the mention of his (Okorocha\u2019s) name. I refuse to
\ninclude that ridiculous title of Honourable, because, they are about the
\nmost dis-honourable people I have ever seen in public offices.<\/p>\n
I simply smiled when a Civil Society colleague in Owerri attempted
\npreaching Open Budgeting to Imo Government. Without apologies to a few of
\nthe lawmakers that relate with me, I can bet with my life that majority of
\nthem do not even have copies of the annual budget of the state they claim
\nto be passing. Has the Assembly ever interrogated any budget proposal by
\nthe Executive? The Imo State Annual Budget is a secret document that only
\nthe governor and his cronies have access to. How then can the citizens be
\ninvolved in the business of governance? How can they track government
\nspending and budget performance?<\/p>\n
How many bills that can promote good governance, enhance accountability,
\nimprove the socio-economic well-being of the citizens and secure the
\nlivelihood and future of Imo people have the present State Assembly passed?
\nIf it is not abortion bill today, it is anti-media bill tomorrow; from one
\nobnoxious move to another. How did we get to this point in Imo?<\/p>\n
Not even the public outcry that followed the numerous atrocities of the
\nOkorocha-led government has moved them to act. Not even the blood of
\nSoromtochukwu spilled during the illegal demolition of Ekeukwu Owerri. They
\nare so dumb that they could not even pretend to be investigating any of the
\nallegations against this ultra-corrupt government in the state.<\/p>\n
From the complete absence of due process and rule of law, to the waste of
\nscarce resources on trivialities; from non-payment of workers\u2019 salaries,
\ngratuities and pension of retirees, to issuance of dud cheques to
\npensioners; from failure to account for Bailout funds, Paris refunds and
\neven the over one trillion Naira that has entered the state in the last
\nseventy months to the use of state resources in conducting personal
\nbusinesses.<\/p>\n
What about the flagrant disobedience to Court orders and illegal demolition
\nof private and public buildings? Land grabbing is a major characteristic of
\nthe present administration. How can a government seize landed property,
\nusing governmental powers and convert them to private use?<\/p>\n
Nearly seven years into the present administration in the state, no local
\ngovernment election has been held. Where are the hundreds of billions
\naccruing to the twenty-seven local government areas of the state? Is it the
\nbillions said to have been spent on statues? Now, Imo has Ministry of
\nHappiness, with the Governor\u2019s younger sister as Commissioner. Indeed, Imo
\nhas been rescued.<\/p>\n
What about the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission-
\nISOPADEC, which funds should be statutory? At some point, Okorocha claimed
\nto be saving the ISOPADEC billions for the construction of a Maritime
\nUniversity in Osemotor in Oguta Local Government Area of the State. Where
\nis the Maritime University, nearly seven years after and where is the
\nmoney?<\/p>\n
The present administration in Imo is synonymous with corruption and is
\nobviously irredeemable. But, where are the other two arms of government?
\nThe State Judiciary has become a toothless bulldog and cannot bite.
\nJudicial pronouncements are disregarded with impunity and till date, nobody
\nis in Prison for contempt.<\/p>\n
Members of the Legislature that should have been the hope of the people to
\ncheck the excesses of this ultra-corrupt government in Imo go cap in hand
\nbegging for contracts and favour from the executive. At some point, the
\ngovernor engaged them with executive functions in Local Government areas.<\/p>\n
Of all the atrocities of the present administration, the public outcry,
\nmedia reports and petitions from citizens, which one has the present state
\nAssembly investigated? Which member of the governor\u2019s cabinet has either
\nbeen summoned or questioned by the Legislature? Which decision of the
\nGovernor, no matter how ridiculous and unpopular, has the present Assembly
\nquestioned?<\/p>\n
How can you have a docile and complicit State Assembly and still expect to
\nhave a responsible executive? The fact is that the State Assembly is
\nresponsible and should be held responsible for the misdeeds of the present
\nexecutive.<\/p>\n
Recent developments in the State Assembly may have been fueled by the fact
\nthat the governor is sitting on their constituency allowance and may have
\nreneged on earlier promises. Following the initial protest of Budget
\nboycott, funds are said to have been released to the leadership of the
\nhouse and their cronies, who are mere messengers of the executive to rise
\nagainst their colleagues; yes, divide and rule. Some of the resignation
\nletters flying around may have been written and assented, prior to their
\nemergence as principal officers. No one should be deceived. These guys
\ncannot be trusted.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the surest way forward is for Imo citizens to take their
\ndestiny in their hands. Little wonder the mood of the last meeting of
\nNigerian Human Rights community in Owerri was for a declaration of a State
\nof emergency in the State.<\/p>\n
The only way for the State Assembly to redeem its image is to initiate
\nimmediate impeachment proceedings against the governor. For the lawmakers
\nalready marked for suspension, the die is cast. Can they, for once, get
\nemboldened and stand on the side of the people?<\/p>\n
The sorry state of Imo State today should be a lesson for all. 2019 is
\naround the corner. Ndi Imo should not only be interested in who emerges the
\ngovernor of the state, but those that are going to the State Assembly.<\/p>\n
In addition to the business of lawmaking, one of the functions of the
\nLegislature in every democracy is to serve as a check on the activities of
\nthe executive. In todays Imo, where are the laws made by the present
\nadministration and what checks have they provided? What oversight functions
\nhave they performed? Whom do they represent, other than their pockets and
\npay master? They are playing along so they can return to the Assembly in
\n2019; what a shame. Governor Okorocha runs Imo like an extension of his
\nprivate business empire and members of the legislature sit as spectators?<\/p>\n
There is no gainsaying the fact that indeed, there is no \u2018capacity\u2019 in the
\nState Assembly and its leadership deserves no place in history.<\/p>\n
Building a vibrant legislature is one sure way of deepening democracy,
\nchecking tyranny, promoting good governance, ensuring checks and balances
\nand indeed, safeguarding the future of the people. From 2019, Ndi Imo must
\nensure that these \u2018traders\u2019 do not return to the state Assembly for any
\nreason and through any means. Write down all their names and blacklist
\nthem, as they are undeserving of any position of responsibility.<\/p>\n
The step being taken by Imo People\u2019s Action for Democracy to \u2018Occupy\u2019 the
\nState during the Christmas celebration is commendable and should have the
\nsign in of all well-meaning Imolites. All stakeholders must join hands in
\nsending a strong warning to this Nebuchadnezzar in Imo. The surest way
\nforward is for the citizens of the state to take their destiny in their
\nhands.<\/p>\n
As for the present Imo State House of Assembly, the members should bury
\ntheir faces shame.<\/p>\n
The time to reclaim the people\u2019s state is now. Do not be left out!<\/p>\n
*Dr. Walter Duru is a Communication expert and Executive Director, Media
\nInitiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC. Reach him on:
\nwalterchike@gmail.com <walterchike@gmail.com>*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Walter Duru, Ph.D In modern democratic societies, the legislature performs three conventional functions of representation, law-making and oversight responsibilities. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":60439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n