Ebonyi Speaker Lauds Governor Umahi For Resolving Odah, Onah Feud

- House adopts resolutions of the Executive Arm on the matter.
- Speaker hails Hon. Chinedu Onah as a respecter of the rule of law.
- Thanks Honourable Members for relying on the synergy between the executive and legislative arms.

From Leo Ekene Oketa

In recent months, palpable tension has engulfed the polity in Ohaukwu Local Government of Ebonyi State; very bright as day, even for the blind to see. Precisely, it has been a series of political fisticuffs between loyalists of the Honourable Member representing Ohaukwu South Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Onah and those of the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Clement O. Odah, over an assault on the former by the Chairman in the sanctified premises of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

Interestingly, calm is returning to Ohaukwu especially as the father of the State, His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi (fnse, fnate), Governor of Ebonyi State weighed in on the matter. On Friday, December 20, 2019, the Governor constituted and inaugurated a powerful 7-man panel of inquiry chaired by His Excellency, Amb. Frank Nchita Ogbuewu to investigate the matter.

The adopted resolutions of the Executive Arm was sent to their Legislative counterparts today by the Governor for acceptance - a gesture for which the Honourable Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru applauded Governor Umahi.

“I want to thank the leader of the Government of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, for taking a very expected decision on the issue. This matter wanted to put this House in total disarray but God being so kind, the leader of our dear State, our dear Governor decided to intervene and also do justice to the matter by constituting a very powerful and competent committee led by His Excellency, Amb. Frank Nchita Ogbuewu and their adopted recommendations are very germane and I must thank the Governor and members of the State Executive Council.” Speaker Nwifuru said.

The adopted resolutions of the panel include:

1. That the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Council, Hon. Barr. Clement O. Odah should apologise to Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Hon. Chinedu Onah in writing.

2. That the public apology to the House of Assembly and Hon. Chinedu Onah should also be extended to the Governor of Ebonyi State and the ruling party, PDP and also aired on radio and television - Radio Nigeria 101.5 Unity Fm Abakaliki and Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC), radio and television, and published in the local and national newspaper.

3. That the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Barr. Clement O. Odah, Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly from Ohaukwu namely, Hon. Chinedu Onah of Ohaukwu South Constituency and Hon. Chinedu Awo of Ohaukwu North Constituency should convene stakeholders forum in Ohaukwu Local Government Area to interact amongst themselves for the sole purpose of dousing tension amongst followers of the parties involved.

In the same vein, the Speaker praised the calmness and maturity showed by Hon. Chinedu Onah, describing him as a respecter of the rule of law.

“I also thank our dear colleague and member representing Ohaukwu South Constituency, our own Hon. Chinedu Onah for not taking laws into his hands and for respecting the rule of law and also for respecting the leadership of our dear State and that of the House of Assembly. I am very confident that this decision if implemented 100 percent, will reconcile all the parties. I feel very honoured to have read this letter before you and also want to thank you my distinguished Honourable colleagues to for giving respect to the rule of law and abiding by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for agreeing to discharge your duty without fear or favour and for relying on the synergy between the executive and legislature and also for believing in Ebonyi State.”

The Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and member representing Ezza North West, Hon. Victor Chukwu prayed the Honourable Members to accept the resolutions, more so, as the Governor had shown so much respect for the legislative arm of Government.

“I urge you, my colleagues, to support and accept the recommendations of the panel as conveyed by the Governor. The reasons are very simple, the Governor as a father has weighed in on the matter and wasn't partial, which shows his serious commitment in respect for constituted authority especially considering where this offence emanated from. He has in no little way shown respect to this arm of government, the legislative arm of Government. He didn't just promise to do this but has put in reasonable palliatives which I'm sure will go a long way towards dousing the tension raised in the House. - Hon. Victor Chukwu noted.

The House adopted the resolutions in the interest of peace, justice and fairness. Hon. Chinedu Ogba Onah is equally the Chairman House Committee on Information of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.