–Say:Unions have shown resilience-Done what elected legislators couldn’t do
The Imo state lawmakers, elected under the platform of the People Democratic Party have thrown their full support behind the ongoing strike action embarked on by the Parliamentary Association of Nigerian, PASSAN and Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.
The two unions had recently embarked on strike owing to what they describe as rascality and undemocratic tendencies of the executive which have almost muscled the other two arms of government. Top among their demands is financial autonomy.
Speaking after the PDP Imo lawmakers’ Caucus meeting held in Owerri yesterday, the Minority leader of the Imo State House of Assembly and the lawmaker representing Ezinihitte state constituency, Barr Nwosu who spoke on behalf of other lawmakers said that they are impressed with the resilience and organization of the labour unions involved in the strike action, adding that the unions have done what the elected lawmakers could not do,” even when we have all the constitutional powers to do so and achieve the desired autonomy for the two arms of the government”.
He said, “under democratic rule, no Arm of government should be more powerful than the other but that is not the case in Nigeria. The legislature and the judiciary have almost gone moribund and subservient to the executive in our verious statesg, owing to the activities of the executive. He added that such can no longer be tolerated, hence their reason for supporting the ongoing strike action by the Unions.
Speaking further, Anyadike maintained that securing autonomy for the two Arms of government will be a major breakthrough for democracy in Nigeria. He said, as lawmakers, they support the strike action since it represents or meets the yearning of everybody including those in the ruling party who may not speak out for fear of victimization.
The erudite lawyer turned legislator, said that the governors should as a matter of urgency comply with the demands of these unions if they mean well for the people, saying that the absence of autonomy for the Judiciary and Legislature remains a cog in the wheel of development of Nigeria.
“At a time like this, our leaders should think of the people, not themselves alone. This is the reason for the uprising across the Nation. If there is autonomy for Legislature and Judiciary, it will help the system grow.
“We also advocate for autonomy for the local government system. The security challenges across the country can be handled through the local governments, in addition to development if they are given free hand to operate. As PDP lawmakers, we shall continue to encourage the unions to remain steadfast in their resolve to right the wrongs”, Anyadike avered.
Finally, the PDP lawmaker reiterated their earlier call for the governor of Imo state,Senator Hope Uzodinma to end the militarization of Imo. Anyadike advised the governor to obey the rule of engagement and not to apply raw force on the people which has led to the death of so many Imolites.
