With the sweeping victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Kogi State House of Assembly SAM EGWU sets agenda for the incoming lawmakers in this report.
The ruling party in Kogi State, All Progressive Congress (APC) won all the House of Assembly seats in the March 9 elections, confirming the party’s acceptance and supremacy in the state. With this feat, the major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no seat in the Assembly.
The landslide victory of APC in the just concluded House election is the first time of its kind since the creation of Kogi State, a situation which projects a harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature.
The yet to be inaugurated members of Kogi State 7 th Assembly are; Adavi – Hon Ibrahim Usman, Ajaokuta- Hon Hassan Abdullahi, Ankpa 1- Hon Ahmed Mohammed, Ankpa 11- Hon Alfa Rabiu Momo, Bassa – Hon Daniya Raimi, Dekina 1- Hon Musa Ododo, Dekina 11- Hon Enema Paul, Ibaji – Hon John Abah, Idah – Hon Suleiman Atajachi, Igalamela /Odolu -Hon Henry Cosmas Atabor, Ijumu – Kilani Olusola, Kabba / Bunu – Hon Mathew Kolawole.
Others are Kogi / KKF – Hon Abubakar Tanko, Lokoja 1 – Hon Umar Isah, Lokoja 11- Idakwo Idris, Mopa- Muro – Hon Ademola Bello, Ofu – Amodu Shehu, Okene 1- Hon Mohammed Ahmed Lawi, Ogori / Magongo – Hon Moses Akande, Okehi – Hon Murktar Baije, Yagba East – Hon Musa Jimoh Omiata, Omala – Hon Musa H Collins, Yagba West – Hon Aderonke Aro ,Olamaboro Ujah Bobby Ajewu and Okene 11- Hon Ahmed Dahiru.
Although the present Assembly has since stabilised under the Speakership of the Rt Hon Mathew Kolawole (representing Kaba/Bunu) through the proactive engagement of the state governor, Yahaya Bello, the state legislature had been turbulent since the 5th Assembly.
There had been a somewhat high turnover of speakership in the State Assembly until the Governor Bello era.
Nevertheless, the emerging one-party-dominated Assembly places more responsibility and expectations on the incoming lawmakers. With no opposition, it’s expected that the 7th Assembly would be saddled with the task of proving doubting Thomases wrong that it won’t be a rubber stamp of the executive and remain focused on the interest of the state, analysts opine.
Kogi has over the years been faced with it’s challenges just like most states in the country. The current administration has been faced with the task of battling the old order which analysts opine, set the state in a course that is far away from its potentials, economically, socially, politically and otherwise.
According to political analysts in Kogi State, Kehinde Pedro, with election won and lost, and the issue of who represents the constituencies being settled, “members have to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorates.”
He added “The 25 members, all male with some re-elected have the backing and support of the electorate, as the case may be, to fully take charge and produce laws that will guide and project the state positively to the international World and among the comity of states as a state of the young men with proper ideas and programmes to see Kogi State in the next level of development.”
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The 7th Assembly will be expected to prove its onions as one indivisible entity and with the philosophy of Next Level agenda, that it can move beyond mundane and parochial orchestration into a more refined belief to meet the wishes and aspirations of the electorates who have put all their hopes on them to move them to the next level.
The law makers, from the stand point of a social commentator, Siaka Abdul, can justify the monumental trust reposed on them by electorates by “coming out with laws that would advance the pace of development across the length and breath of the constituency and lift the constituents out of poverty.”
Another pundit, Ojoma Olachene believes that there won’t be a hiding place for the lawmakers in the 7th Assembly as there will be no distractions from any opposition.
He added that as they await official inauguration in June they should cut short their celebration and ferverently reflect on how to make meaningful contributions that would help to improve the welfare of the people of their constituencies and the state in general.
Olachene stressed that the electorates need an Assembly that is assertive, proactive and selfless, being a product of the people. And for a free and progressive mind to flow, he expects that the APC gathering will have to deliberate and churn out laws that will make the state great because they may not want to fail as they may not pass this path again.
“I am concerned that our nascent democracy is being threatened by the ongoing politics of violence. It is sad that political class are not exhibiting the level of maturity that will enhance the nations democratic experience. The scene is characterised by so much chaos, turbulence and confusion.
“I feel somehow relieved that Kogi State situation is already different from others, no opposition in the 7th Assembly to stampede the motion of any urgent public importance raised by the member representing any constituency. It is now a seamless order that will have to be hundred percent obeyed for the welfare of the electorate,” he said.
The onus of organising town hall meetings with which the electorate can feel the pulse of the member representing the constituency in the House of Assembly is imperative and crucial, analysts aver.
They argue that it is through such channel with the people know their problems with a view to finding a way to lobby the colleagues to attend to these problems that will give the legislators an edge.
They further added that members shouldn’t be self assuming, but strive to be in touch with the realities of the people. Such interface with the constituents and key stakeholders it is argued, will enable them know the projects that are of benefit to their people.
There is also the challenge of adequate allocations for projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people. However they have to be objectively identified from various communities in the state and put in the budget for executing. But, it is stated that only lawmakers that are with the people at the grassroots can do this.
While the executive alone cannot shoulder the peace and security of the State, it’s expedient that bills that are capable of making the state peaceful, progressive, safe and viable should be sponsored.
Workshops that will acquaint members with the rudiments of making laws should be constantly organised or attended, ensuring that they work hand in hand with the present administration towards achieving goals will be key.
What’s more, they will be expected to be focused on providing robust oversight functions to ensure the speedy development of the state, rather than being contended by seeking personal interest.
The 7th Assembly even before inauguration is expected to make for the good governance of the state and not engage the executive in unnecessary political war or bickering. As such it is hoped that the 7th Assembly should go about its activities with decorum and a sense of responsibility.
The electorates whose mandate the lawmakers bear to represent them at the hallow chambers, look unto them as not just role models but with expectations that they will deliver on the assignments.
