By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
A political activist and democracy crusader, Ambassador Pascal Ogbonna Oluchukwu, has called on members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to always stand for and encourage what is right in it’s dealings with the government and people of the Ebonyi state.
Ambassador Pascal made the call in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, after he observed that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly was being intimidated to dance to the tunes of the Ebonyi state government.
The outspoken activist wondered why a state legislature will pass state budget without due diligence, adding that the idea of quick passage of law in favour of some interests in the state without thorough deliberation by the House of Assembly members can not serve the people of Ebonyi right.
While urging the state lawmakers to put general interest of the state at heart, Pascal also lamented the lack of autonomy for the lawmakers.
He faulted the idea of State House of AssembliesAssemblies depending on the executive even for every kobo as giving state governor executive power to control the lawmakers anyhow.
He said the state legislature has been compromised and emasculated, “which turned them into mere rubber stamp in the hands of the executive. As the legislature becomes subservient, it also becomes redundant and of little significance in the eyes of the citizens.
“The purpose of the House of Assembly is to provide oversight on the executive and ensures that all actions and inactions of the government are guided by the laws and regulations promulgated by the legislature. When it comes to law making, the House of Assembly must ensure the laws are passed with the positive interest of Ebonyians at heart.”
Unfortunately, however, Pascal said “the case is different in Ebonyi, as the House of Assembly only ply their trades around where the executive domicile. They have all been compromised and have left the interest of the wonderful people of Ebonyi in Limbo. Democracy seems to have lost its core values in just a very short time in Ebonyi.”
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