9th Imo Assembly and the likes of Eddy Obinna, Onwudiwe, Ejiogu
by Peter Dibia ( 08137847696)
The act of legislation should be done by those who understand what it means to enact laws that affect people positively.
More often than not, those who are referred to as legislators seem not to understand the reason of their election. Some will be in the house from year to year, not sponsoring or supporting any bill or even a motion, some don’t even have law enacted with their names attached to it.
Imo as a state, is made up of 27 local government area, of which these LGAs have their representatives both at the national and state level.
These representatives will be remembered by the quality of representation they rendered to their people while in office. While some, their people are regretting why they voted them.
In their various constituencies, these law makers have performed wonderfully that their people are happy with them. Rating them by their past and present performances, their sponsoring and co-sponsoring of human oriented bills and motions which have attracted a lot of applauses prompted my writeup on them. Effective representation is something, we don’t buy in the market or learn to do it, it comes from years of service to humanity.
Having assessed the capacity of these three state law makers namely Hon. Eddy Obinna, member representing Aboh Mbaise State Constitutency, Hon. Dr Uju Onwudiwe, member representing Njaba state Constitutency, and Hon. Philip Ejiogu, member representing Owerri North State Constituency, through their effective performances of their function of law making, representation and judiciously performing their oversight functions for their people.
Many motions and bills sponsored by them at the floor of the 9th Imo State House of Assembly is my evidence on the quality of legislation and as a major indicator of their capacity. One can agree with me that the impactful representation function of the legislature, is one of its major functions in a democratic setting.
Truly, any good and outstanding legislator like the alluded names can be tested with how far they articulate and respond to issues of public concern. Impactful Representation largely involves service to constituents by representing their interests in the legislature and providing a direct link to government.
Off course, legislature is a unique institution in a democratic setting, which is composed of elected representatives of the people. It occupies a prominent position in modern democracies.
In my research, the legislative arm of government bears the responsibility not only to make laws which is its primary function, but also to perform other important functions. Thus, the legislature enacts laws, represents the interests of the people and also constitutionally empowered to oversee the activities of the executive, safeguards public finances and provides an avenue for redressing public grievances.
Frankly speaking, these three legislators have done well, this has made them to bag different prestigious awards from respected institutions like NUJ, Rotary Clubs and other highly recognized bodies of their efforts and services to humanity.
In this 2023 general election, many are of the opinion that they should continue their good work and effective representation to the glory of God and happiness of all.
When I visited Aboh Mbaise to perform my journalistic function as a member of the fourth estate realm of government, I was told by the good people of Aboh Mbaise that Hon. Eddy Obinna has done very well and that he is at home with his people. And they are passing vote of confidence on him to run for the 2023 Imo State House of Assembly seat to complete his second tenure as their house member. This only was an indication that indeed my write up was done out of pure heart.
On my findings to the largest Federal Constitutency with Four local government areas: Njaba, Isu, Nkwere and Nwangele, many there were of the opinion that Hon. Uju Onwudiwe, Member Representing Njaba State Constitutency, should be given opportunity to represent the Federal Constitutency, hence she has done well in the Imo State House of Assembly.
From the history of this Constitutency, no woman has ever been given the opportunity to represent the aforementioned Constituency. May I beg to digress a bit; Imo State has 27 local government areas, of which there are representatives both at the national and state assemblies. But it will interest you all to know that, at the Imo State House of Assembly, there are only two female lawmakers, Hon. Dr. Uju Onwudiwe (Igolo Njaba) and Hon. Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, member representing Isu State Constituency.
While at the National Assembly it is only one female legislator, Hon. Mrs Mirriam Onuoha, who represents Okigwe North at the Green Chamber.
From the foregoing you will agree with me that, this is against the global principal of women inclusiveness and gender equality in political leadership and elective positions and as such should be corrected in the next general election by allowing women more seat in governance.
Finally, on my investigation, at Owerri North, where Hon. Philip Ejiogu is from his people, affirmed that no body has performed more than this humble and gentle seasoned lawmaker, whose passion for effective representation is nest to nothing. In their general agreement, they are of the view that they will all vote for him to complete his second tenure in the upcoming 10th Imo state house of Assembly.
Having talked about these great sons and daughter of Imo State, it will be good for all to listen to the voice of the people to allow this three to either go for the state or federal house as the people want, hence voice of the people is the voice of God.
