By Peter Uwa
Uniqueness is a golden attribute, implying being unusually good and special in action, character, specific areas of activity, or human endeavour. More so, being unique implies being splendid, spectacular or, better still, performing comparatively, above standards in areas of common interest to the people (society).
The Chike Olemgbe-led 10th house of Imo State Legislative Assembly came into being precisely, on June 16, 2023 with a 27-member squad for the purpose of making laws to guide the Executive Arm in the all-important business of governance.
Chike Olemgbe, the Member for Ihitte-Uboma State Constituency, following unanimous decision of the 27 members-elect, became Speaker of the House of Assembly on his first day in office as a lawmaker.
Good enough, and in a way proportional to the vision of the then incoming House Members, Chike Olemgbe, did not take the privilege given to him by his fellow Honourable Members to lead them for granted. Rather, he saw the privilege/opportunity as a challenge worth tackling. He instantly, settled down to face the business and to the astonishment of onlookers, learnt fast, the rules guiding presiding officers and as well, the relationship between presiding officers and house members on legislative matters.
Armed with appropriate rules, unwavering support of Principal Officers and Honourable Members as well as unalloyed co-operation of the House of Assembly Clerk and Head, Legislative Service, the Sergeant-at arms and other departmental heads, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe forged ahead with humility, courage, confidence and resilience.
Positive results of this initial friendly manner of both the Honourable Members and Management of the House on commencement of business in 2023 so far, are enormous and marvellous.
The most interesting point of the journey so far, is that the 10th House of Assembly has continued to function within the boundaries of making people-oriented laws.The bills and motions already passed by the House, some of which have been signed into laws by the Governor of the state are life-transforming in nature. Further, this is a state House of Assembly where every member sees what happens in other state constituencies as an issue of personal interest to him. No wonder some Honourable Members of the House are known to have chiefly sponsored motions to address problematic situations in other local government areas of the state. This is selflessness in action, a bold vote for the overall well-being of entire Imo state. The spirit of give-and-take has always prevailed in executive sessions of the Chike Olemgbe-led 10th House. Every plenary of the House showcases true democracy in practice and some times, with House Members of opposition political parties speaking first in favour of what they see as proper action by the state Governor ( Chief Executive) in addressing matters of public interest in the state.
This prevailing spirit of camaraderie, a situation of mutual trust and unmitigated friendship among the Principal Officers and Honourable Members of the House has enabled them pass a total number of 98 motions and 28 bills in less than two years in office and thus, rank as the first house to achieve such a noble feat.
The state governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma in consideration of the enviable status and most Inspiring performance of the 10th House, some time in 2024, chose the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative House, Rt Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu to lead a rescue squad to the Republic of Ghana to bring home, missing young ladies of Imo state origin. That trip spearheaded by the Second-in-command of the Chike Olemgbe-led 10th House of Assembly was a huge success as the missing girls found in an obscure area in Ghana were safely brought home and handed over to Imo state government.
It is really not the Size of the Man in the Fight that counts, rather, it is the Size of the Fight inside the Man in the Fight that counts. RT HON CHIKE OLEMGBE, though a First-timer in Imo State House of Assembly, in his status as the Speaker, has led the 10th House to a glorious height.
While maintaining most cordial relationship with the Executive and the Judiciary, the Legislative Arm under the watch of Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, has wisely restricted itself within bounds defined by the doctrine of separation of powers among the three arms of government.
This, no doubts, accounts for the reason why the visionary and tactful Imo State Chief Executive, the Chairman of Nigeria’s Progressives Governors Forum and Chairman, Southeast Governors Forum in presenting the 2025 budget proposal to the Chike Olemgbe-led 10th House of Assembly, had this to say, ” since the inauguration of this 10th House of Assembly, the Leadership and Members have always, put the interest of the people first. Indeed, I appreciate your patriotic zeal and commitment to duty. Although, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for the doctrine of separation of powers among the three arms of government, this house has diligently applied wisdom in relationship with the executive, guided by the practical needs of Imo people”.
