– Urges him to shun sycophancy, seek forgiveness from God
The former Special Adviser to ex-governor of Imo State, Rt.Hon Emeka Ihedioha on New Media, Hon AIC Akwarandu yesterday came short of calling the speaker of Imo state House of Assembly,Dr Chiji Collins a rubber stamp speaker.
He berated Dr Chiji Collins for making unguarded statement against the former governor, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha and advised the Speaker to face his legislative functions and shun sycophancy.
Akwarandu who stated this during an exclusive interview with Weekend NIGERIA WATCHDOG in his private office at Owerri, said that ordinarily, he would have preferred to ignore the speaker but for the concern expressed by discerning Minds , “it is important we puncture his lies against the former governor”, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.He described speaker’s statement as “careless”, unbecoming of a leader.
Akwarandu who likened the Imo State House of Assembly under Chiji Collins as an extension of the executive arm,wondered why the speaker who lacks the capacity to coordinate his colleagues, initiate any law for the overall benefit of the larger Imo people will turn around to insult a man globally described as an epitome of democracy in Nigeria.
He reminded the Speaker that insulting Emeka Ihedioha won’t place food on his table, instead it will further expose his idiosyncrasies and lack of integrity.
He said, “today, Ihedioha is celebrated for the role he played as a legislator.What will the speaker be remembered for in the annals of our democracy? I expect Chiji Collins to borrow a leaf from the former Deputy speaker of House of Representatives to stabilise the house and move the state forward”.
He recalled how Ihedioha as Deputy speaker of the National Assembly and the then speaker, now Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, collectively prioritised the welfare and wellbeing of the Nigerians.”Today, even the blind when compared with successive Assemblies will tell you that the 7th House under the leadership of Tambuwal/Ihedioha remains outstanding in Nigerian’s history.
“No wonder till date, the masses still earnestly yearn for PDP administration to address the mal-administration occasioned by APC led government in the state “, Akwarandu boasted.
On the crux of the matter, AIC Akwarandu advised the speaker to hide his face in shame for failing to speak up while Ihedioha was in power.He described Hon. Chiji Collins statement as induced just to impress the governor when in actual sense he knows that his claims are false.
He said, “under Ihedioha, the three arms of government were truly independent so much that they had conducive atmosphere to operate and make people oriented laws.He said, “it is more shameful that the speaker whose colleagues almost went cap in hands for their salary could now find his lost voice to attack a man so loved by Imo populace”.
He noted that the speaker has placed himself in a situation that he can only eat or get benefits accrued to his office when he is seen to be insulting Ihedioha on the media.
He advised the speaker to be mindful of the fact that there is life after occupying any position, reminding him that today he is speaking as the speaker but tomorrow, he may not.
He urged him to have a rethink and seek the face of God for insulting a man who made him, whatever he is today dispite all odds.
