The Chairman Anambra State House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu says the lawmaker representing Ayamelum Constituency Hon. Bernard Udemezue was never summoned for raising the plight of his people.
Hon. Okechukwu maintained that Udemezue was summoned due to
pending matters before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges based on separate petitions.
Making clarification Hon. Okechukwu who is the member representing Anaocha constituency wrote:
“The attention of the Anambra State House of Assembly has been drawn to a circulating publication alleging that there is an underground plan to suspend Hon. Bernard Udemezue, Member representing Ayamelum Constituency. Ordinarily, the House would not dignify such unfounded claims with a response, but for the sake of truth and to keep Ndi Anambra well informed, the record must be set straight.
“We wish to categorically state that *no one is persecuting Hon. Bernard Udemezue*. He has never been summoned for simply speaking for his people. As a legislator, it is well within his constitutional right to speak and advocate for his constituency, and at no point has this House ever denied him that right.
“On the alleged suspension, it is the prerogative of the committee he has been referred to, to make such recommendations. It should be made clear that if he has offended any of the rules of ethics and privileges of the house, he surely will get his day before the Committee and opportunity given to him to speak for himself. The findings of the committee, and whether the house adopts same, will determine whether he will be punished or not.
“For clarity, Hon. Udemezue has moved only two motions since his inauguration into the 8th Assembly. The first was on 17th October 2023, calling on the Governor to direct the Commissioner for Health to sensitize Ndi Anambra on the need to vaccinate the girl child against cervical cancer. That motion was debated and passed.
“The second was on 14th March 2024, where he moved a motion calling on the Governor to extend the ongoing construction of Amansea/Awba Ofemmili road in Awka North LGA to Umerum in Ayamelum. Again, the motion was debated and passed.
“These facts demonstrate that the House has consistently given fair consideration to his motions and issues affecting his constituency.
“On Attendance and Oversight:* It is also important to state the obvious: *representation requires presence. Since the beginning of the second session, Hon. Udemezue has been absent from plenary 43 times out of 57 sittings. Recall that this is the period he was meant to be present to continue pushing for his constituents. This excludes committee meetings where his absence has equally been noted without any satisfactory reason for such negligence of duty. The duty of a legislator is not only to move motions but to be present to follow through, lobby, and engage with colleagues to see that his constituency benefits. This is where his constituents must hold him accountable.
“The provisions of the Constitution gave the speaker the power to give effect to the provisions of Section 109(1)(f) of the Constitution, but the house has overlooked his shortcomings for so long. It is the same speaker and the house that he is accusing
“On Petitions Against Ibeto: The House indeed received petitions from Ayamelum youths and community leaders concerning Cottonwood Gas Ltd (Ibeto) over alleged environmental degradation, infrastructural damage, and neglect of corporate social responsibilities. These petitions were formally received on 17th December 2023 and immediately referred to the Committee on Public Petitions.
“Following this, on 3rd September 2024 and 17th September 2024, the Committee summoned Cottonwood Gas and other companies including Sterling Oil, Sahara Energy, and Orient Petroleum, alongside the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources. The companies were directed to submit supporting documents by 1st October 2024.
These documents are currently before the Committees concerned.
“Unfortunately, it is on record that Hon. Udemezue was absent on both occasions the committee sat to deliberate on these petitions. A legislator cannot abandon his duties and later accuse the House of negligence.
“On Ethics and Conduct, The House also wishes to clarify that Hon. Udemezue was never summoned for raising the plight of Ayamelum. Rather, he has pending matters before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges based on separate petitions. These include:
“A petition by *Saxulu Legal Attorneys* alleging assault, threat to life, intimidation, and unlawful interference in respect of Amajili Okpulanku land.
“A petition by the Security Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, alleging misconduct, use of force, and intimidation of their security personnel.
” Furthermore, prior to his removal as Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, there were serious reports of misuse of office, particularly his consistent use of official influence to bail out suspected cultists and assailants.
“In addition, Hon. Udemezue has publicly insulted colleagues and preached violence against fellow members, a conduct unbecoming of a legislator and an affront to the dignity of the House.
“Our Position; The 8th Assembly remains committed to transparency, accountability, and effective representation for Ndi Anambra. Hon. Udemezue, like every other member, has been given ample space to represent his constituency. His motions were passed, his petitions considered, and his contributions acknowledged.
“However, representation is not about grandstanding on social media or issuing threats. It is about consistency, presence, and decorum within the chamber of the people. It is also about building consensus with colleagues to attract development to one’s constituency.
“The House will continue to carry out its constitutional duties of lawmaking, oversight, and representation without fear or favour. But we will also not shy away from defending the institution against falsehoods and narratives that seek to undermine its credibility.
