By: ULOKA, Chibuike
I had planned to thoroughly assess the performance of the current Anambra State House of Assembly members inaugurated in June 2023, from the beginning of January 2024 to evaluate their achievements and adherence to their promises. Unfortunately, this is hindered by the Governor, who, as the head of the Executive, has yet to fulfill their statutory obligations as required by law.
Despite the Governor ensuring luxurious cars for his office, the Deputy, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and even girlfriends, assembly members are left to rely on rented vehicles and tricycles for their transportation needs.
Furthermore, the lack of sufficient funds force some assembly members to even resort to squatting in apartments of friends and acquaintances in the state capital. This discrepancy in treatment only intensifies the frustration of the assembly members, with the exception of Speaker of the House, Hon. Somtoo Udeze, who is often seen as a loyal supporter of the Governor’s agenda against his colleagues.
Their recently approved budget is their first, and the projects they allocated to their constituencies have not received funding. Some members, who took loans for election campaigns, are now in hiding due to an inability to repay.
Professor Charles Soludo’s refusal to grant them autonomy, despite it being passed into law, has left them dependent on meager allowances to carry out their duties.
Not a single Assembly member celebrated Christmas and New Year with their constituencies across the 30 constituencies in Anambra State.
Financial constraints prevent them from supporting constituents, while Charles Soludo’s commissioners overshadow elected lawmakers in their respective local government areas with federal government donated bags of rice which the Governor shared to his aides alone.
They were deceived into passing the 2024 budget, hoping the Governor would fulfill his promise of funds to them. But many were disappointed and felt used when the governor rewarded only the Speaker of the House.
Little can be expected from them in 2024, as they have essentially signed away their relevance with the appropriation bill, allocating a mere two billion naira for the House of Assembly’s running costs, compared to over thirty-seven billion naira for the Governor and Deputy Governor’s offices, despite both being equal arms of the government, (Executive and Legislature).
Professor Charles Soludo’s administration has been questionable in every aspect. I sympathize with the current Assembly; they are easily manipulated and, unfortunately, vulnerable.
Don’t anticipate significant performance from the current Assembly. Many will spend the next four years dealing with debts and planning for reelection. When they come seeking mercy, consider their predicament and forgive them. Professor Charles SOLUDO, CFR is the enemy and culprit who wishes to set them up against their constituents.
