A former Minority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, has launched a scathing critique against the current assembly, accusing them of failing in their constitutional duty to scrutinize the executive arm under Governor Alex Otti.
Chukwu’s comments came in response to statements made by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, praising the governor’s performance. The former lawmaker described it as “regrettable that an independent arm of government could be in bed with the executive to deceive Abians.”
Representing Bende North in the 7th Assembly, Chukwu labeled the 8th Assembly under Emeruwa as “the most docile without vision and leadership,” a situation he claims has set the state backward.
“It is unfortunate that the Speaker… had the temerity to say the Deputy Speaker [of the House of Representatives] is no match to the Governor,” Chukwu stated. “I’m really ashamed of the speaker who is trading his lawfully assigned role for political gains.”
He warned that the lawmakers are taking advantage of the public’s trust to enable what he called “mass looting” in the state, reminding them that “posterity would not be kind.”
The controversy stems from a press conference where Speaker Emeruwa defended Governor Otti’s “giant strides” and dismissed the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, as “no match” for the governor.
