National Assembly members from Ebonyi not effective, hiding under Gov Nwifuru – Ezeh

Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, the Labour Party’s (LP) candidate for the Abakaliki/Izzi federal Constituency in the 2023 elections, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the ability and performance of Ebonyi State’s National Assembly members.

Ezeh, an entrepreneur with an Oxford education and the current President of the Ebonyi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (EBCCIMA), made this statement in an interview with reporters in Abakaliki on Friday.

He clarified that serving as a member of the National Assembly provides a platform for exceptional minds to discuss and encourage the implementation of sustainable and transformative policies and projects for the constituents, rather than being seen as a means of scavenging for wealth.

The National Assembly candidate of Labour party, LP, for Abakaliki/Izzi federal Constituency in the 2023 elections, Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, has decried the lack of capacity and performance on side of National Assembly members from Ebonyi State.

Ezeh, an Oxford trained entrepreneur and the current President of Ebonyi State Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (EBCCIMA) stated this in a chat with newsmen in Abakaliki on Friday.

He explained that being a member of the National Assembly is an opportunity for quality minds to articulate and support the execution of sustainable and life changing policies and projects for the constituents and shouldn’t be viewed as an avenue to scavenge for wealth.

He said, “Frankly, we are yet to see the quality of representation we can point to and say yes, we have a representatives. My election was stolen and handed over to a man who may be following an unfortunate tradition of underperformance.

“Preparations is everything.While I had a robust well thought-out manifestos, some simply rode on the back of the establishment.

“Historically, when people are not prepared for the position and they are forced into, effective representation suffers, they naturally join seat warmers at the hallowed chambers in Abuja.

“Give it to some, they attend social events in Ebonyi State regularly and for them, as long as they show up in birthdays, weddings and funerals, they have done the job.

“That to me is no representation. Election has consequences.We may have sacrificed competence, capacity, capability and character on the alter of prebendal politics.

“This is our reality. Every now and then, our people are lined up like beggars in the name of palliatives. Paliatives is a creation of APC’s failed economic dislocations. In a competitive democracy like ours, we ought to send people who can help the sitting governor.

Speaking about the suffering of the people of Abakaliki, particularly those affected by the continuous expansion of the city’s road infrastructure, Ezeh voiced discontent with the National Assembly member representing the constituency’s lack of personal interest.

According to him, “You cannot stand something on nothing.Granted that development comes with some discomforts, but the people’s representatives owe the people the duty of care. A show of empathy on the economic and social impacts of the Vanco flyer over project is necessary. Did you see any whimper or show of empathy from representatives? One must be prepared for the difficult but interesting work of a legislature.

“What is the one single thing we expect from the man that claims to have won an election? Maybe he has very little ideas on how to proceed. Frankly, I will be happy to help him. For starters, can he partner closely with the government to ensure those whose business are affected are helped to restart?

“He can pursue legislation to ensure we have 100% child enrollment in school; he can raise legislative action around improved literacy and numeracy, etc.

“In my Constituency, most of our rural dwellers are still drinking from dirty ponds and streams, can he pursue his constituency project to set up community level water and sanitation resources? These lines of thinking require serious intentionality and capacity to network amongst colleagues.

“They require system thinkers and builders. I have raised the bar of discussion on federal representation and so do not want to be dragged into prebendal issues of over-priced china street lights and untreated water in the name of boreholes. How can we talk about security, jobs and wealth creation in a situation where those who stole our elections appear focused on benefits they can get to themselves. For them, this is their emilokan opportunity.

Dr. Ezeh argues that some lawmakers are incapable of making significant contributions in their committee assignments, so they hide under the governor’s wings to avoid their statutory duties in the National Assembly. This is in reference to the behaviour of lawmakers who routinely forego their official committee and oversight duties in Abuja to accompany the governor while he is carrying out his personal duties.

“People can only give what they have. For some, part of their self-chosen assignment is to follow the governor around, attend ceremonies and go back to Abuja on weekly basis.

“The reality staring us in our faces is that only few of our representatives know their job descriptions, for others, its all about hero-worshipping the governor or anyone they think can sustain their access to power.

“What exactly do some of them bring to the table in their various committees. A man who knows he has nothing to offer will conscientiously use the governor as a shield. Many know they did not win their elections and so, they have to stick close to the sit of power. Unlike before, the people are watching them keenly,” he submitted.

Dr. Ezeh argues that some lawmakers are incapable of making significant contributions in their committee assignments, so they hide under the governor’s wings to avoid their statutory duties in the National Assembly. This is in reference to the behaviour of lawmakers who routinely forego their official committee and oversight duties in Abuja to accompany the governor while he is carrying out his personal duties.

“People can only give what they have. For some, part of their self-chosen assignment is to follow the governor around, attend ceremonies and go back to Abuja on weekly basis.

“The reality staring us in our faces is that only few of our representatives know their job descriptions, for others, its all about hero-worshipping the governor or anyone they think can sustain their access to power.

“What exactly do some of them bring to the table in their various committees. A man who knows he has nothing to offer will conscientiously use the governor as a shield. Many know they did not win their elections and so, they have to stick close to the sit of power. Unlike before, the people are watching them keenly,” he submitted.

In response to inquiries about the wave of defections that saw legislators elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) turn to the state’s ruling party, particularly in the states of Enugu and Ebonyi, Ezeh stated that those who left were opportunists who might have unintentionally dug their own political graves because they lacked an ideological basis for their political careers.

He insisted that the Labour Party was growing stronger as more Nigerians joined it in an attempt to revive dreams for a better country, particularly the youth who are largely motivated by the desire to establish a respectable and effective governing system.

“Those who moved are the politicians that saw LP as a special purpose vehicle to actualize ambitions. If you look at those moving out of LP in Ebonyi state, you will notice they are perennial movers and some are known leaders of AGIP (any government in power).”

“Let’s not forget that what happened in 2023 was a revolution of ideas birthed by the youths of Nigeria. A peoples movement called the Obi-dients. These people are young, urbane, middle class, educated, youthful and entrepreneurial, but, largely unemployed and frustrated.

“They are ideologically connected to an ideal world view that many of the political class do not have the competence to understand nor aspire to

“These young Nigerians have seen comrades die crossing the Atlantic Oceans in search of better opportunities, seen many die in the deserts of Ethiopia. They have seen in their travels, the power of innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and a future that is Nigeria’s.

“These are not people ready to jump from party to party. They are the real followers of Mr. Obi.

“Like Kenya, the bubble may yet burst if we continue to be tone deaf to their legimitate demands for the rebirth of a New Nigeria,” he concluded.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.