… former Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Aniekan Uko explains why he voted against the legislatures’ autonomy
As a political Scientist, I know of THEORY OF SUBSIDIARITY (i.e. breaking the centre to units for effectiveness and efficiency)
If we are really practising True Federalism, then we should allow autonomy for the Local Government, without autonomy for local government, how can there be service delivery ? Or do we accept being in the state of underdevelopment?
There’s a saying that “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander” and what is in the belly of a Reverend Father demanding egg is also in stomach of the catechist.
The Local Government is the closest tier of government to the people, and the people down there at the grassroot have been yearning for autonomy for local government, if the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria didn’t deem it necessary to accord LOCAL GOVERNMENT with full paraphernalia of government then it wouldn’t have called it LOCAL GOVERNMENT, they would have called it local authority or county where chiefs will administer as was practised during the time of colonial masters.
As a lawmaker, I should be that connecting bridge between the governed and the government.
Therefore I will not for whatsoever reason allow myself and my state constituency to be cowed into any barbaric move from any quarter against the Local Government to continue to be victimised and oppressed.
WHY I VOTED AGAINST AUTONOMY FOR STATE LEGISLATURES.
Why should I join others to play politics of PREBENDALISM (i.e. a situation where people at the top, the opportune, depriving the less privileged because they are well placed”.
During the Public Hearing of the House of Assembly on Constitutional Amendments, the people who elected us as their “BRIDGES” between the government and the governed clamoured for AUTONOMY for Local Government, those who know me well can attest to the fact that I stand with the people at all times because I hold their mandate on TRUST, therefore I cannot and I repeat, I WILL NEVER SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER MY STAY IN STATE LEGISLATURE WHILE I ALLOW THE DOWNTRODDEN (The Local Government) to be victimised hence my VOTING AGAINST.
If the autonomy for Local Government was suspended, then that of the State legislature I CAN’T VOTE in favour.
I need Autonomy for LOCAL GOVERNMENT that produced me for the State before I support any other autonomy.
Nigerians ! ……. Know who leads you and the stuff they are made of.
I want to end by saying I CANNOT AND WILL NEVER DESTROY THE HORSE THAT BROUGHT ME TO PROMINENCE AND THAT IS THE “LOCAL GOVERNMENT.”
I remain in my Honour,
Rt. Hon. Elder Aniekan Uko FCIA
Member Representing Ibesikpo Asutan
State Constituency, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
