Opinion I When Melodrama Outruns Legislation

WHEN MELODRAMA OUTRUNS LEGISLATION; IMO LAWMAKERS, I HAIL THEE

        The last time I checked, the Imo State lawmakers had chosen to display melodrama to Imolites rather than mainly involving in legislation, which ought to be seen as their primary consignment.

        No week that passed the state wouldn’t be shocked to her bone marrow over the level of melodrama displayed by these ‘gentlemen and ladies’ sent by Imo people to the state’s House of Assembly strictly for legislative business and other consequential oversight functions.

        Three weeks ago, precisely on Thursday, 10^th May 2018, in its usual plenary, the Speaker of the House in the person of Acho Ihim unequivocally announced to his colleagues that the Assembly’s Majority Leader – Uche Oguike – had been removed from the position and consequently replaced with Lugard Osuji, the member representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency.

        In a bid to throw more light, the speaker stated that the decision was informed by the resolution reached by the executive members of the House. In other words, he was trying to explain that the embattled official was removed owing to the agreement reached by the House’s principal officers.

        Therein, as soon as the pronouncement was made, the Hallowed Chamber was turned into an Alaba market, a popular trading centre in Lagos State as a result of the disagreement of the floor members who were present at the sitting. According to them, the speaker had taken more than he could chew by thinking that he and his allies could remove the leader in question via mere pronouncement.

         The honourable members, who apparently frowned at the incident, said that there were standing procedures through which any principal officer could be removed by the House, and not by merely announcing to the members that the executive had resolved to remove a certain officer.

        Thereafter, the aggrieved members called on Imolites to remain calm and not to be discouraged by the ugly development, stating they would never allow such decision or plan to see the light of the day. They, therefore, disclosed that they could not be taken unawares, or for fools, in a gathering where every member was elected equally.

        It would be recalled that the Chief Osuji in question happens to be the former Majority Leader of the House. He held the position from the emergence of the eighth assembly till barely few weeks back when the post became embattled, probably due to political reasons or manipulations. As a result of the crisis he was facing, or perhaps about to face, he outrightly resigned from the position during plenary. In that very outing, he also announced the resignation of his fellow principal officials who were equally facing similar plight.

        After the resignation was tendered, Chief Oguike was immediately announced by the speaker as the new Majority Leader, and the outright replacement was unanimously welcomed by the entire members present at the sitting. The replacement of the other affected principal officials was also pronounced by Mr. Speaker.

        Now, the same anointed Chief Oguike had become a sacrificial lamb. One would wonder what could have warranted such a development. Well, the answer to the people’s enquiry isn’t far-fetched. The development might not be unconnected with the recent obvious emergence of factions among the members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

        It’s not anymore news that since congresses ranging from ward to state level were conducted, or perhaps inconclusively conducted, across the federation, there has been existence of several factions amongst the Imo APC members, which has resulted in diverse news concerning the said conventions. This, surely, would equally create factions among the legislators.

        Come to think of it; the executive meeting that resolved the removal of Chief Oguike as Majority Leader, where did it hold and who were those present at the gathering? One question, too many. This inquiry became necessary because I’m not unaware that a majority leader is equally an executive member of a House. So, I wonder why he wasn’t present when such meeting took place. This very discovery raises more worry among the teeming concerned Imolites, particularly the seeming aggrieved legislators.

        Notwithstanding, I want to use this medium to inform our lawmakers, especially the presiding officers, that people – far and near – are invariably watching them. They must take into cognizance that they were sent on an errand by their respective constituencies, hence the need to concentrate on what they were asked to buy at the market.

        They need to acknowledge that the electorate have now understood that a certain legislator can be recalled if his/her constituents considered him no longer worthy to represent them. The supposed lawmakers are enjoined to understand that very soon they would be expected to report to their various constituencies on how many motions and bills they were able to sponsor in the House, and the role they played towards their hearings.

         It beats my psyche that barely a few weeks after I ‘scolded’ these legislators for endorsing a gubernatorial aspirant, they still came up with another disgusting melodrama. This implies that they have refused to acknowledge that they are actually representing some persons in the revered Imo House of Assembly. This ostensibly smacks of danger, to assert the least.

         In view of the above, time has conspicuously come when Imolites in their numbers would start throwing pertinent questions to their respective representatives. It is obviously high time we began asking them; how far, so far? This is truly the ripe moment to present several enquiries before them for onward and immediate answers.

        Time has gone when the electorate would desist from throwing questions just on the social media, or being active only on the said platform. The governed must note that good governance can never be witnessed if they remain far from the government officials. Think about it!   

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

_________________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador                                      

Opinion I Before APC Drenched In Downpour

BEFORE APC DRENCHED IN DOWNPOUR

        Before the All progressives Congress (APC) would be drenched in the foreseen downpour, I’ve thought it wise as a concerned onlooker and citizen to set the record straight for the ruling party.

         I previously did a piece titled ‘APC and her kangaroo elective congresses’. In that very work, which frowned over the ugly happenings within the scope of the APC during the just concluded – perhaps yet to be completed – congresses of the party, I took time to advise the members of the platform, particularly its leadership.

         I was not unhappy when the APC graciously emerged in 2013. The said mood was not unconnected with the notion that its existence in the Nigeria’s political terrain would tremendously help to usher in a wholesome opposition, thereby balancing the pedestal on which the country’s polity stands.

        The above candid belief was actually what angered my temperament when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – then led by Prof. Attahiru Jega – was ostensibly denying the APC the right to officially register as a political party, citing incoherent merging. The unfortunate response of the electoral umpire, which resulted in a delayed registration, seriously instigated my venom.

        Anyone who was keenly observing my reaction as at then might insinuate I was one of the individuals that collapsed into the merger party. But my reaction, on the contrary, was solely as a result of my long nurtured quest to witness a Nigeria where the opposition would be reliable, viable, indefatigable and formidable.

         Consequently, the APC’s proposed registration eventually received a nod from the INEC. After its registration, it was obviously seen by all concerned that, truly, the long-awaited rival to the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had surfaced to the delight of patriotic Nigerians.

        Owing to its unparalleled popularity coupled with overwhelming change mantra, the APC conspicuously ousted the PDP from the Nigeria’s seat of power via keenly contested polls. Though since the APC came on board as a ruling party, there has been series of ups and downs towards ushering in the exact governance it promised the electorate prior to its emergence, the people had apparently chosen to remain patient and optimistic pending when their overall desire would be duly attended to.

         The APC had thus far refused to be marred by the unending criticisms and condemnations from the opposition occasioned by perceived bad governance. It is, however, shocking to note that internal politics is a factor that’s likely to mar the ruling party.

        Within the past few weeks, the members of the APC in various quarters have publicly showcased that if apt measure isn’t taken, the party might soonest be headed for ‘Rwanda’. Emergence of this eyesore smacks of danger for not just the party but anyone who genuinely means well for the Nigerian state.

        The downpour foreseen with the aid of my panoramic view, which is liable to set in due to the apparent lack of internal democracy that recently ensued in the APC, may end up consuming the party if its leadership refused to put its acts together for the overall good of the organization. It seriously beats my psyche when I see or hear the party’s leaders, who are supposed to be concerned about way forward, indulge themselves in self-deceit.

         It’s quite appalling when realized that one at the helm of affairs isn’t worried about the misdoings in his territory. It’s indeed a shame to see a group of persons, whom were entrusted with certain responsibilities, participate in frivolities. It’s mind-boggling to observe that when we are required to tell ourselves that all isn’t well, we’re rather busy communicating to the world that nothing actually went wrong.

        After the ward, LG and state congresses that were obviously characterized by irregularities, some stalwarts in the APC who were meant to be deeply troubled by the anomaly, were instead seen in different quarters telling the press that the party members had proven to be united, hence ready to retain power come 2019. How do you reconcile this?

        Notwithstanding, the party still has chances of putting its house in order. Before it is drenched in the avoidable downpour, I must seize this medium to notify its leaders at various levels that self-deceit has killed millions of individuals than diseases and accidents did, hence the compelling need to squarely face the reality headlong.

        As the APC witnesses her elective national convention come June 23, 2018, it’s therefore inconsequential to reiterate that if the needful isn’t done before the outing, it will still be an exercise in futility. It would have been splendid and acceptable to ensure that the numerous injuries incurred during the congresses are addressed prior to the conduct of the awaited convention. It would be preposterous to hold a convention while some states are currently recognizing parallel executive council in various levels.

        For the APC to regain its strength, political wise, it’s harmful for its various members to come up with ideas that are in furtherance of their personal interests rather than that of the party. Think about it!

               

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers

_________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

          

Opinion I Owelle And His Ongoing Operation No More Shanties

OWELLE AND HIS ONGOING OPERATION NO MORE SHANTIES

        The last time I checked, the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha had ostensibly vowed to get rid of any form of shanty around every nook and cranny of the Eastern Heartland, the Owerri Capital Territory in particular.

        The ongoing operation no more shanties, which is part of the Urban Renewal Policy, has conspicuously changed the outlook of the aforementioned capital city thereby making many to apparently pour encomia on the Rescue Mission Government. The operation has obviously been at the top of the gear for quite some time now.

        In view of the policy, most of the major roads within the territory are now wearing a new face. Some of the pathways in question could at the moment comfortably accommodate at least two vehicles on one side of it. It suffices to say that they are bearing a standard dual-carriage system.

        It’s, however, imperative to state that as many celebrate the government for such an achievement, many others are condemning or lashing it. The reason for such diverse reaction is not far-fetched. It is not unconnected with the fact that the initiative had succeeded in sending several Imolites back to their respective clans of origin.

        We are not unaware that no such development can take place without, in the process, negatively affecting some individuals or groups, as might be the case. In other words, for any meaningful development to occur, some – if not most – persons must be hurt. And, you wouldn’t expect those who were affected negatively to join others in approving the goodness or positive effect of the project.

        More so, we must note that not only shanties were affected as regards the urban renewal policy. Some befitting structures had equally been demolished so far since the commencement of the initiative. In some quarters, not just residential structures were demolished; market places or business layouts were also meant to be taken off.

        This latest development concerning demolition of both residential and commercial structures situated along our various roads, has generated uproar and ripples among Imolites at home and in the Diaspora. Some of those whom were directly affected had already left the city for their various villages, and could afterwards not think of any meaningful thing to lay their hands on. I really share their pains just as any other concerned person would.

        But we must take into cognizance that for any useful human-oriented growth or development to take place, there must be sacrifice. Many things need to go down for other things to rise. This implies that to acquire something that’s regarded as the best, the one that’s seen as the good may be sacrificed in the long run.

        Notwithstanding, I deem it fit to disclose that I personally fault the way the government pilots the initiative that have thus far led to wanton demolition of befitting structures or trading centres. I expected the government to ensure that a thorough bilateral agreement was reached with those to be affected by the policy.

        Considering that those structures, not shanties, were erected in line with the initial Master Plan of the territory, their owners were supposed to be holistically engaged in a roundtable talk with the government with a view to reaching a formidable agreement that bears no iota of acrimony or rancour. The demolition would have taken place after concluding the all-inclusive roundtable discussion.

        We need to acknowledge that why the ongoing policy, as initiated by the government, is highly consequential is because Owerri and its environs are currently experiencing an influx. The present human and vehicular population in the territory has outshined the number that was in the mind of those that designed the Master Plan of the area, hence the compelling need for a review of the plan.

        Lagos State, as a megacity, is currently facing the same quagmire. This is the reason successive governments in the South-Western state would continue to demolish various structures and shanties whenever they came on board for the purpose of paving way for both human and vehicular movement.

        No sane and rational individual is meant to be against such a developmental stride anywhere in the world. But what is of concerned is that, before carrying out such initiative, both human and non-human faces are required. A human face is needed when it has to do with demolishing a structure or business centre that was legally built. On the other hand, non-human face is required when shanties and other illicitly built structures are involved.

        Regarding a structure that was licitly constructed, a reasonable compensation ought to be paid to the victim or affected landlord. And, such compensation must be as agreed by the owner, and not as it pleases the government.

        The fact is that, if the owner ascertains that the government’s proposed initiative means well for the state and that someone must be willing to sacrifice something for such plan to be carried out, he might not ask for a compensation that would take care of the intended total damage. The bone of contention is that; such compensation should not be against his wish or want, or as if the government is just trying to be of help to him or her.

        Everyone definitely yearns for meaningful development but let everyone be carried along, particularly those to be directly affected in the process, as we strive towards ushering in such intended societal change. The expected sense of belonging mustn’t be overlooked by the government if they really want the governed to truly cheer them up.

        So, as I candidly appreciate the Owelle-led Rescue Mission Administration over the ongoing urban renewal policy, I needn’t remind the able governor that there’s still need to reconsider those that were unlawfully humiliated so far towards healing the incurred injuries. Think about it!

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador