The Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Augustine Okezie has described as laughable, insinuations as fabricated by agents of mischief that there are Executive interferences in the activities of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly.
In a radio Interview monitored by newsadmiral.com.ng, Rt Hon Okezie further hinted that the 8th Abia State Legislature is peopled by independent minded personalities who understand the rudiments of Representation, Legislation and Oversight, and wondered where such infantile insinuation should be fathomed, describing same as an insult to the 8th Abia Assembly.
“Such assumptions are strange and outrightly unacceptable to the 8th Abia Assembly. They are lies from the hottest part of hell. The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti is an ardent canvasser for due process, administrative independence and an avowed stickler to rules. How does anyone expect and individual of such, who had openly confronted past administrations over all manners of injustice to now turn around and influence goings on in the State Legislature? In simple terms, there is no truth, in it’s smallest modicum, in such vituperation.”
On what is delaying the full implementation of the Financial Autonomy of the State Legislature, Rt Hon Augustine Okezie, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Media and Publicity said assurances has been received from necessary quarters and that in less than no time, the needful will be done because the concept of Separation of Powers is an area the present Administration does not treat with kids gloves.
The Media and Publicity House Committee Chairman also highlighted that pockets of protests occasioned by the reforms in the Civil Service shall be treated on their merits, assuring that the Governor Alex Otti administration has a human face and poised to better the lots of Abians by every means necessary.
Rt Hon Okezie, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Boundary and Security said a Petition which was read on the Floor of the House by Hon. Nnamdi Chimdi Ibekwe of Bende North State Constituency over boundary skirmishes between the people of Ugwueke in Bende North State Constituency and Akaeze in Ebonyi State is also receiving attention.
“The matter is receiving required attention and the House shall work in liaison with the Deputy Governor of the State, who Chairs Boundary Matters and shall as expected, liaise with his Ebonyi counterpart to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the matter.
On the issue of the Rule Book of the House in regards to requirements of who becomes Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Augustine Okezie stated that he personally moved a Motion, H. A. M 1, to expunge Order 2,Rule 8(1) of the Rules of the Abia State House of Assembly because it was inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) which stipulates the liberty of the House to elect for themselves, Principal Officers of their choice, pointing out that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prevails in any areas of inconsistency with any other constitution.
The Lawmaker further hinted that the Abia State House of Assembly stands tall among other State Legislatures in the South East in terms of meeting up with the stipulated number of seatings and in legislating in areas that has direct bearing on the people.
Rt Hon Okezie said various Bills like the Abia State of Nigeria Local Content Bill 2023, Abia State Safety and Order Agency Bill 2023, The Greater Aba Development Authority Bill 2023 and a Bill for a Law to Establish Industrial Clusters in the Three Senatorial Districts of Abia State among others are at various Committee stages, receiving well harnessed Legislative touches for the growth and development of Abia State.
