Now That Okorocha Has Apologized
When Governor Rochas Okorocha announced over the Radio his invitation of Imo citizens to Imo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, September 3rd, something struck the mind.
Two things would happen during the briefing. Either a further proof to Imo people that he did not sign into Law the controversial abortion Law No. 12, of 2012 or an unreserved apology to the angry Imolites.
However, good conscience prevailed and the Governor toed the line of honour by apologizing to the people as well as go ahead to ensure that the offensive clause in the Law is expunged immediately by the “dis” honourable Imo House of Assembly.
While Governor Okorocha’s apology has been heard and taken, it is instructive to inform the Chief Ben Uwajumogu led State House of Assembly that Imolites are also expecting their unreserved apology for passing the bill.
After all, they are the first offenders having passed the bill and forwarded it to the Governor for his assent. This is so because having drafted the Law and read it at the floor of the house before sending it to the Governor for his assent, Imo House of Assembly and indeed the legislators cannot claim ignorance of the contents of the bill they passed.
This again go a long way in advising people in positions of authority to be mindful of those who advice them and again mindful of those things they append their signatures to.
While we do not want to join issues with the originator of the controversial bill Mrs Adaku Ihuoma representing Aboh Mbaise constituency, it is regrettable that while everybody including Governor Okorocha is busy apologizing for the oversight of the controversial clause in the bill, it appears that the legislature has no remorse for passing that deadly bill for Imo people.
How come Ihuoma’s legal adviser is busy at one end pointing accusing fingers at clerics who he alleged are the worst culprits in sponsoring abortion among the female youths.
This is ridiculous indeed and more especially coming from a supposedly learned gentleman and adviser to the legislator. Even if his assertion is correct, is it good enough to be a defence for the time bomb-bill which her principal sponsored?
It is regrettable that while trying to nip the matter in the bud, the Legal Adviser to Ihuoma is trying to open up another Pandora box in the controversy.
That suggests suspiciously the fact that an alleged huge sum of dollars from foreign sponsors of the bill exchanged hands to get us where we are today.
Therefore, it may be necessary to seek for further information from Barrister Dr Reginald Onuoha on what actually happened and perhaps how the bill originated or even thought of as one of the
PDP Leadership and Bamanga Tukur
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is waxing stronger again in both national and state levels particularly in Imo state. It is an obvious fact that the foremost political party in Nigeria has tightened its belt to mobilize, reconcile and speak in one voice again despite the faction which exist in the party before its recent national Congress in Abuja where PDP executives were elected.
The reason behind the congress is not far-fetched as it is being said in some quarters that President Goodluck Jonathan is recontesting for the post of the presidency in 2015.
Be that as it may, the re-election of Bamanga Mohammed Tukur as the National President of PDP is well deserved hence his mettle and national love and unbiased approach towards restructuring and stabilizing the party to clinch power in 2015 general election. Tukur however said “PDP speaks with one voice”.
Bamanga Tukur has indeed democratized all the structures of PDP and democratization is transparent. The PDP under BMT is committed to internal democracy which is expected to dwarf other political parties.
The various committees constituted by the PDP in Imo state is an indication that the party is set to re-write the wrongs in it’s fold and forge ahead.
With this level and strength cum mutual understanding which PDP has assumed now, APC and other political parties will shiver. What Bamanga Tukur needs now in PDP is solid support not factionalization.
Ikenna Orioha,
Nekede, Owerri
