IMO
SENATORS ET AL, I HAIL THEE
The last
time I checked, Imo – likewise other states across the federation – comprised
three senatorial zones. It suffices to say that the state could at the moment
boast of three senators in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
The zones in question are namely, Imo
West, Imo East and Imo North. And, for history’s sake, the legislators
representing the aforementioned senatorial districts are respectively Senators
Hope Uzodinma, Samdaddy Anyanwu, and Benjamin Uwajumogu. It is in record that
Sen. Uzodinma is currently serving his second term in office whilst others are
in their first term, though that of Sen. Uwajumogu just begun recently owing to
an electoral quagmire that ensued thereof.
For posterity’s sake, I wish to via this
platform, candidly remind these revered senators, and of course other
legislators of Imo origin, that a lot is really expected of them when it calls
for societal development as regards the Eastern Heartland; or in a nutshell,
governance. Towards ensuring that the people receive what they truly deserve
from the Federal Government (FG), these men of repute who were graciously
elected by their various electorates are required to be at the forefront.
Development of a state does not lie solely on
the prowess of the states’s governor. Yes, the governor is meant to ensure that
all the areas within his jurisdiction are aptly taken care of. But, it’s worth
noting that there’s what is called federal presence in any existing state
across the country, and Imo is not in any way exceptional. These legislators
are expected to lead the cause targeted towards attracting various federal presences
to this ancient state, particularly their respective constituencies.
As representatives or mouthpieces of various
constituencies, when they move any motion on the floor of the House or Senate,
as the case may be, they ought to primarily consider the implications of such
motion to their jurisdictions. In other words, motions that are of good benefit
to their constituencies should only be tendered. It’s even mind-boggling to
realize that some of them shy away from moving motion during plenary sittings.
Similarly, a bill should not be
sponsored by any of them without painstakingly considering the consequences to
their people if eventually passed as well as signed into law. For instance,
when an Appropriation Bill is submitted by the Presidency, they ought to in
their individual capacities evaluate each of the clauses in the bill toward ascertaining
whether their state or constituencies are carried along. Needless to state that
they shouldn’t just leave the work of evaluation for the House’s/Senate’s
Committee on Appropriation.
It is solely their statutory duty to
crosscheck these things, and not that of the governor of the state. The
governor would not be at the Douglas House and at the same time equally be at
the National Assembly. This implies that the legislators are not unlike the eye
of the Imo number-one citizen. In Economics as a subject, the issue of Division
of Labour is thoroughly and categorically explained to the comprehension of
even a dummy in the classroom. Hence, we are required to, at all times, hide
under such holistic teaching. Let’s ride on!
And
when a bill, such as that of budgetary, is finally passed by the legislators
and duly signed by the executive, it thereof becomes a law. It is also the duty
of these federal lawmakers to properly monitor the day-to-day implementation of
such law, in order to ensure that their respective constituencies aren’t kept
in abeyance. They must therefore ensure that what is due for the state is
wholly granted to it as the journey progresses.
It is baffling to realize that some of our
federal legislators, rather than doing the needful, would prefer to consider
only their individual interests thereby relegating that of their constituencies
to the background. Instead of ensuring that every project allocated to their
constituencies is adequately implemented, they would prefer to siphon the funds
to their private pockets even amidst the ongoing anti-graft war.
I want them to take cognizance
of the fact that the socio-political system of Imo, and Nigeria in general, has
conspicuously changed for good. Most electorates are now politically wise and
not unaware of every trending, thus they must wake up from slumber where need
be.
Each
time I acknowledge that Constituency Briefing is now apparently a thing of the
past, I am invariably left with no other option than to weep profoundly.
Constituency briefing, a tool initiated to help in bringing senators and their
counterparts closer to their people, is currently abused profusely or taken for
granted. It is indeed a slap in the face of their teeming constituents, thus the
electorate are as well expected to wake from sleep.
Worse still, most of our lawmakers,
including those at the state level, cannot presently boast of a constituency
office at their respective constituencies let alone a befitting one. These ugly
trending matters need to be critically addressed in earnest before it gets out
of hand. We must not continue to overlook issues that concern our collective
future.
I am glad that the electorate have started exercising
the power given to them by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended. They now
understand the language of ‘Vote of No-Confidence’ that has the tendency of
recalling any erring legislator, be it state or federal. If well considered, we
would comprehend that the electors are more powerful than the elected, because
they possess the power to elect and recall if necessary.
Toward
averting some inconsequential and frivolous embarrassments that might arise in
the future, I urge our respected senators and their counterparts in the Federal
House of Representatives to henceforth start to acknowledge that the
development of any state cannot only be actualized by the sitting governor;
hence, all hands are expected to, individually or collectively, be on deck.
In view of the above assertion, the
governor on his part ought to equally endeavour to form a coalition with these
federal legislators irrespective of party affiliations, solely for the sake of
Imo at large. We can’t continue to die in silence. Think about it!
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
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