Imolites of diverse persuasion have expressed concern about the activities, actions and inaction of members of the 9th Imo state house of assembly who they say, seem to have jettisoned their legislative and oversight functions only to continuously endorse, re-endorse and pass votes of confidence on the governor without asking necessary questions about the rising insecurity, killings, arson and wanton destruction of properties in some areas of the state, in addition to the nonpayment of salaries and pensions of civil servants and retirees who have been subjected to dehumanizing conditions.
They described this as frivolous, unnecessary and questionable “motion to commend the governor, for his purported developmental strides.”
The lawmakers, had, in response to the motion sponsored by the member for Ideato South State constituency, Hon Johnson Duru alongside Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi of Owerri West State constituency, Uju Onwudiwe of Njaba, Blyden Amajirionwu of Ngor Okpalla, Dominic Ezerioha of Oru West, Eddy Obinna of Aboh Mbaise and Emeka Nduka of Okigwe commended and passed a vote of confidence on governor Uzodinma for according to them, performing creditably in all ramifications despite the mounting security challenges and their distractive effects.
The legislators had at the commencement of business on Wednesday March 16, 2022 and presentation of the Order Paper captioned; “Order of the Day” moved a, “motion to commend the governor of Imo State, his Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma for his exceptional developmental strides in Imo State despite the security challenges
“Whereas Imo State has witnessed a deluge of projects since the inception of the Governor’s tenure; Noting that His Excellency the Governor of Imo State Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma has embarked on massive construction of roads including the Owerri-Orlu Road, Owerri-Okigwe Road. MCC Uratta Roads and the quality of work being done is second to none.
Aware that a few days ago, His Excellency Dist Sen. Hope Uzodimma was on Channels Television to give account of his stewardship in Imo State as well give his opinion on other matters of national importance and he did brilliantly well in that interview, showing that he is an experienced, matured, courageous and progressive leader and therefore deserves commendation;Be it resolved by this Hon. House to pass a vote of confidence on the Governor for his exemplary leadership qualities and for the great development strides being witnessed in Imo State today despite the security challenges.
Some political pundits who expressed disgust at the recent action of the legislators stated that, “it is shameful, ridiculous and laughable that the legislators who belong to a separate arm of government that should hold the governor and his entire executive accountable to the people whose mandates they represent have become appendages and chorus singers at the expense of their responsibilities to their constituents.
“It is an aberration that despite not sitting regularly, they just converged after a while just to eulogize endorse and pass a votes of undeserved confidence on a governor who has been very uncaring, insensitive and aloof to the yearning of the people.”
Also commenting on the issue, a political scientist and lecturer in one of the tertiary institutions in the state who doesn’t want his name in print said, “is the height of insensitivity that those elected by their constituents to represent them did not deem it fit to question the governor about what he is doing to address the endless killings, at Orlu, Oru West, Oru East, Njaba, etc, in addition to the deplorable state of our health and educational institutions. Neither did they tell him to give details of how the Owerri/Okigwe road has gulped a whopping sum of N35b.
All they are concerned about is to praise, worship and adore the governor for pecumary benefits.”
“It is on record that most residents of parts of Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Orlu, Njaba etc have fled their homes to seek refuge in other places. Yet they bother about that.”
They were also alleged to have at different times converged outside the legislative chamber to approve questionable loans for the governor who they reportedly see as a father figure without following due process or asking necessary questions in line with their oversight functions.”
