By Dr. Batos Nwadike, (Owerri)
The great bard, Chinua Achebe, in his seminal disquisition on Igbo pre-colonial identity once said “When we gather together in the moonlit village ground it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.”
The ancient Athenian also understood the importance for kinsmen to gather for the greater good. It was in the ‘Agora’ hall of Athens that Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all made their mark as symbols of western philosophy and intellectual inquiry. One can equally say the same for the Roman senate, and the legacy of statements like Marcus Aurelius, Brutus, Cicero, Julius Caesar and Cato the Younger.
No doubt some ideas are universal. Surely the importance of men gathering to act by consensus must have played a role in the mind of Baron de Montesquieu who in his influential work “The Spirit of the Laws” in 1748 advocated for the division of governmental powers into 3 separate branches.
The American founding fathers were hypnotized by Montesquieu’s ideas and in 1787, encapsulated same in a Presidential system of government. A fortiori, the 1979 Nigerian constitution, takes its cue from the American model. An executive and a legislature separate from one another.
The present Imo State House of Assembly is the 10th House since 1976 when Imo State was created by military fiat. The military handed over power to civilians in 1979, and the life of the IMHA started to run. Counting from then, and baring all interjections by the military, this is the 10th House of Assembly.
A journey through time will reveal the various leadership of the Imo House of Assembly that have come and gone starting from G.O Atuloma (Speaker, Umuahia municipal) with Okechukwu Okebedi (deputy speaker, Oru LGA) and Nze HSK Osuji (Majority Leader, Owerri LGA) in 1979. I still remember the short-lived era of Rt. Hon Maxwell Duru (Speaker, Mbano).
There was also the short-lived era of the solid Godfrey Dikeocha (Speaker, Aboh Mbaise) and late Hon. Oliver Akpaka (Deputy Speaker, Nwangele). Not forgetting the era of Rt. Hon. Kelechi Nwagwu (Speaker, Ikeduru) with Rt. Hon Chuma Nnaji (Deputy Speaker, Njaba). Hon Goodluck Opiah alongside Ugonna Ozuruigbo have also superintendent over the affairs of the Imo House.
Today, we arrive at the 10th House of the IMHA, with almost the same leadership as the 9th House. With the exception of the Speaker, Rt. Hon Olemgbe (Ihitte- Uboma), the remaining presiding officers, principal officers, and committee chairmen of the House, returned back from the 9th House to the 10th in their previous positions, notably, Rt. Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (Deputy Speaker, Nwangele), Rt Hon. Kanayo Dele Onyemachi( Danjuma) (Majority Leader, Owerri West) and Rt. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Chief Whip, Oru East).
This is a unique historical occurrence in the annals of IMHA legislative history. Surely, to whom much is given, much is expected. This 10th House have shown poise, elegance, dedication and commitment to the progress and development of Imo going forward as they work in a harmonious relationship with the Governor H.E Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Kudos the presiding and principal officers! Kudos the committee chairmen! Kudos the entire 27 members of the 10th IMHA!
For the purpose of appraising the 10th House, permit me to digress briefly and summarily lay out the most important functions of a legislature in a democracy:
Lawmaking: Legislatures are responsible for creating, amending, and repealing laws. This involves debating proposed legislation, voting on it, and enacting it into law. Legislators often initiate bills, which are proposals for new laws or changes to existing ones.
Representation: Legislatures serve as representative bodies, where elected officials represent the interests and concerns of their constituents.
Through the legislative process, they voice the views of the people they represent and advocate for policies and laws that reflect their constituents’ needs and preferences.
Oversight: Legislatures have a crucial role in overseeing the actions of the executive branch of government. This oversight function involves reviewing and scrutinizing the implementation of laws and policies by the executive, conducting inquiries and investigations, and holding government officials accountable for their actions.
Budgetary Authority: Legislatures hold the power of the purse, meaning they are responsible for approving government budgets and authorizing the allocation of public funds. This includes setting spending priorities, imposing taxes, and appropriating funds for various government programs and services.
Constituent Services: Legislators often assist their constituents with various issues and concerns, such as accessing government services, addressing grievances, and navigating bureaucratic processes. They act as intermediaries between the public and government agencies, helping to resolve disputes and provide assistance where needed.
Certainly, the above listed are the metrics by which posterity will appraise the success or failure of the 10th House. However, I can boldly state that judging from their performance in the 9th House, the 10th House is poised to perform solidly on all five of these metrics.
Recently, on account of oversight, the House (in a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, Sir Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, and supported unanimously by the full House) called for the dissolution of all boards and commissions. Though some oxen might be gored, yet I must applaud the legislative keenness and vision of such a motion. In my view this is a necessary step to ensure that governance structures are aligned with the priorities of the returning administration.
Dissolving and reorganizing these bodies provides an opportunity to streamline operations, eliminate redundancy, and improve overall effectiveness in delivering democratic dividends to Imo people. In fact, and in truth, all Israel must go back to their tents and wait for a fresh and refreshing beginning.
Dr. Batos Nwadike, (Oyi of Igboland)
President-General of Ozuruigbo. Political Adviser to Governor Imo State (2020-2022). Presidential Candidate of the PMP (2011). President, Isu Nation Convention. Writes from Owerri, Imo State Nigeria.
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