Speaker Nwifuru bared his mind at plenary Monday, in response to a ‘personal explanation’ (individual accounts of experiences and messages from various constituencies by Honourable Members after recess) by the Leader of the House – Hon. Victor Uzoma Chukwu, regarding the tension created in his constituency (Ezza North West), occasioned by the killing of one Mr. Chinedu Shedrack Uhuo and the deceased’s girlfriend.The Honourable Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and South-East National Vice Chairman, Speakers Conference of Nigeria – Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has warned cultists in Ebonyi State to denounce their evil ways and turn a new leaf or face the full wrath of the law.
“It is only a coward that joins a secret cult. Being a cultist is not something one should be proud of. Why should you be proud of being a cultist or proudly taking sides and aiding criminals? It’s high time we call a spade, a spade. If you cannot belong to a club to eat and drink peacefully, dissociate yourself from that club. It is embarrassing for us as a State and thank God the Governor has always taken a firm stand against such ugly incidents.
“So I support the decision of Izzi Nnodo Youths, that if you’re identified as a cultist and to have killed someone in Abakaliki, you’ll be traced to your house. I want to sound this note of warning to all cultists in the State and to inform them that the Government is ready for them. People cannot be scared to move freely or relax at their usual places because of a few irresponsible ones.” – Speaker Nwifuru said.
In his own personal explanation, the Deputy Speaker – Rt. Hon. Odefa Obasi Odefa, narrated how the recess which commenced 2 months ago, was punctuated by tragic events in his life and that of his family.
Chief Odefa noted that he lost one of his aides, Mr. Kingsley Obasi (Deputy Chief of Staff to the Honourable Speaker, Office of the Deputy Speaker), who was gruesomely murdered by hoodlums, and another close relative of his, who passed away in the recent past. He equally solicited the continued intervention of Government on the crisis brewing in his constituency, Onicha East.
Other Honourable Members made their own personal explanations – thanking His Excellency, the Governor for his developmental strides in their respective constituencies, and encouraged him to do more.
The House observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased. It was the first plenary of the House after their 2 months recess.
©️Leo Ekene Oketa
Chief Press Secretary to the Honourable Speaker
December 7th, 2020.
