The

CardVol.2 No. 2 | July, 2021 ReportMidTerm Edition How the Abia NASS Contingent Fared at

Abaribe Orji Kalu Midterm Ben Kalu

Sam Onuigbo Nkiru Onyejeocha Darlington Nwokocha Nkem Abonta Nkole Ndukwe Solomon Adaelu From Govt. House 48 Hours of Commotion in To Senate: Story of Gbajabiamila’s the Abia Troika House JULY 2021 2 THE REPORT CARD OrderPaper MIDTERM SCORECARD: Orji and Kalu lead Abia team in bills sponsorship

By Michael Olaogun his first year. The landmark climate change bill, recently passed by the rderPaperToday - The House is sponsored by Onuigbo. team at the National Assembly, However, Solomon Adaelu (Ob- made up of three Senators and ingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo) has no eight House of Representatives bill or motion sponsored by him since Omembers, has got a mixed performance in the beginning of the 9th National As- their discharge of duties. sembly. Of the three senators, two are former Gov- It is interesting to note that Abia ernors - (APC, Abia North) State House of Representatives team and Theodore Ahamefule Orji (PDP, Abia contributed 9% of the 1365 bills spon- Central) - who have served the State for a sored since the beginning of 9th As- period of eight years each. Cumulatively, the sembly. Senators from Abia State have sponsored a Read full stor at OrderPaper.ng total of 13 bills, which amounts to 1.7% of the total bills sponsored at the Senate at midterm. Orji is the sponsor of the highest number of bills (7) constituting 53.87% of all bills by the Senators from the state. All of his bills were sponsored in the first year of the cur- rent 9th assembly. His counterparts, Kalu and have respectively sponsored 4 and 2 bills, leaving their perfor- mances at 30.7% and 15.3% of the State total. Notable among the bills sponsored is the Local Industry Patronage Bill 2021 (SB. 714) by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, who had no bill in his first year due to his incarceration, while Abaribe had 2 of his four bills sponsored in his first legislative year of the 9th Assembly. Meanwhile, at the House of Representa- tives, Benjamin Kalu (APC, Bende Federal Constituency), Uzoma Nkem Abonta (PDP, Ukwa East/Ukwa West) and Nkeiruka Onye- jeocha (APC, Isuikwuato/Umuneochi) have the highest number of bills sponsored at 41, 35 and 30 respectively. Kalu accordingly has 33.3% of the total bills sponsored by the Abia team, while Abonta and Onyejeocha contributed 28.46% and 24.39% respective- ly. Significant among the bill sponsored by Hon. Abonta is the Environmental Health Bill, 2019. Ben Kalu sponsored 24 bills in his first year, Abonta had 31 bills in his first year, while Onyejeocha had 19 bills to her credit in the first legislative year of the 9th Assembly. Late Ossy Prestige and Nkole Uko Nduk- we, (PDP, Arochukwu/Ohafia) have respec- tively sponsored 4 and 2 bills, leaving their performance at 3.2% and 1.6% of the state total. Similarly, Samuel Ifeanyi Onuigbo (PDP, Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South), Darlington Nwokocha (PDP, Isiala Ngwa North / South) have only respectively spon- sored 4 bills (3.2%) and 7 bills (5.6%). While the former had 2 bills sponsored in his first year, the latter had no bill to his credit in JULY 2021 OrderPaper Nigeria THE REPORT CARD 3 48 hours of commotion in Gbajabiamila’s House (INEC) to brief it on the possibility and applicabil- By Lizzy Chirkpi ity of the electronic transmission of results across the country. rderPaperToday – The events of the past few days in the National Assem- bly, and precisely the House of Repre- Day two commotion… sentatives, have thrown the country The House of Representatives convened on into more confusion, commotion and panic as Friday to start off from where it stopped on Thurs- O day. As expected, the chamber admitted the NCC to whether the interest of certain individuals su- persedes that of the over one hundred and seventy team who said only 50.3 percent of polling units in million Nigerians. the country was covered by 2G and 3G network. It is common knowledge that the National Executive Commissioner, Technical Services of Assembly is saddled with the responsibility of the Commission, Ubale Maska, who spoke on making laws for the development, progress, and behalf of the Commission, told the lawmakers good governance of the generality of the masses that the remaining 49.7 percent was without net- but going by recent developments the focus seems work coverage which would make it difficult to to be quite challenging for the lawmakers. transmit election results electronically. He also Deliberations on and eventual passage of the said only 3G network can adequately transmit the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the Petroleum Gbajabiamila Wase results while also informing that it was possible to Industry Bill (PIB) have generated more argu- capture data offline where there is no network. He ments and controversies that leaves much to be also explained that there is a possibility that the desired. The chaos and drama pulled by members system could be hacked. "No system is safe from of the parliament during consideration of these hacking. The election in the United States in 2016 very important bills cannot leaves a sour taste in there is widespread belief that it was hacked by the the mouth vis-à-vis the representative functions Russians," he said. The Chairman of INEC did not of the legislators. appear neither did anyone from the electoral um- pire and no reasons were given for their absence. The Speaker before allowing his Deputy to take The electronic transmission over appealed to the House to allow consider- controversy… ation of other clauses before returning to consider Few days before the report of the Electoral Act the contentious section 52 (2). Shortly after, the Amendment Bill was laid, there were speculations Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, mounted the chair that some clauses of the bill had been deleted and to commence clause-by-clause voting on the re- new ones ‘smuggled.’ This caused a stir in public port. Mr. Wase skipped the contentious clause and debate with the National Assembly put on the started off with section 54, a move that did not go spot. This prompted a member of the House, down well with some opposition members who Ugonna Ozurigbo (APC, Imo) to raise a point of either did not understand the Speaker or did not order under matters of privilege at plenary. buy into his suggestion of retuning to clause 52 Ozurigbo claimed that he had been bom- Ndudi Elumelu Chinda advanced towards the mace. This led to a serious barded with calls and visits from members of his disruption of proceedings as members could be constituency, seeking clarification on the alleged the shouting that even Speaker's presence could here to insult me on an issue. Yes, it happened! It seen rowing along partisan and regional lines. At deletion and insertions. He also stated that despite not stop. The built-up tension led the presiding happened!! We are all saying this clause should go, this point, Mr. Okechukwu raised another point being a member of the committee on Electoral officer, Speaker , to call for a and let me say it here that when we make laws, we of order insisting that the chairman (Wase) should Matters chaired by Aisha Dukku (APC, Gombe) closed door session. don't just make them for ourselves in this room. come back and put question on a pending motion he was not aware of any such alterations. "A num- I am for electronic voting and everything that previously moved by Kingsley Chinda asking for ber of Nigerians, particularly my constituents, Day one commotion… comes with it. But I make bold to ask that those the division of the House in order to vote on clause have been calling me and expressing worry about After a one hour closed door meeting, the who are saying we should transmit election results 52(2) in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. But the alteration to the electoral bill. I am a member Reps resumed plenary with the Speaker reading via electronic means, what about our brothers and the deputy speaker denied the existence of such of the committee; I don't know the information a speech and thereafter continued consideration sisters in Maiduguri, Yobe and the rest?" While he a motion, saying that he could not recall anyone going around where they said that we carefully of other items on the day’s order paper without was still complaining about the insults hauled at moving for the division of the House to decide amended section 52 sub-section 2 of the electoral any mention of what actually transpired in the him, he had barely finished when he was shouted clause 52(2). At this point the minority leader, bill. That the agreed electronically transmitted executive session. At that point, Chairman of the at again as lawmakers interrupted. Ndudi Elumelu, said since Wase would not agree election results have been changed to manually Conference Committee on the PIB moved that At this time, Kingsley Chinda, leader of the to the call to divide the House, then his minority transmitted," he said consideration of the report of the bill be stepped PDP caucus from Rivers raised a point of order caucus would cease to be part of the process. The Speaker, in a response, said that the specu- down till further notice. And so the evil day on asking the chair to divide the House so that the At that point, Elumelu led opposition mem- lations were unfounded and that a report that had the petroleum reforms bill was postponed not- votes could be taken via head count. But the pre- bers out of the chamber. not been submitted to the House could not have withstanding that the Senate had about same time siding chairman ignored his point of order. been altered. "I really don't want to speak to a re- considered and passed the report and stayed with Wase at this point recognized Mr. James Faleke Walk-out, stay back… port that has not been submitted to the house," the 3 per cent. (APC, ) who sought to move for another But in a twist, some members of the opposi- he said, explaining that the committee had been Shortly after, the House dissolved into Com- amendment to the effect that the clause should tion, particularly of the People's Democratic Party given an assignment and should submit a report mittee of the Whole and the Deputy Speaker, Idris allow for the use of both electronic and manual (PDP), namely Linda Ikpazu (PDP, Anambra), to the House. "Committee was given an assign- Wase, handled the consideration of report on the transmission of results. The presiding officer- de Oluwole Oke (PDP, Osun), Nkem Abonta (PDP, ment and at the right time they would submit Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021, which her- clined, saying he had already ruled on the matter Abia) and others stayed behind. their report and we shall deliberate on it clause alded more commotion and crises. and would not reverse himself. Although, the number left behind after the by clause and that will be done before we close The issue was the contentious clause 52 in the At this point, Speaker Gbajabiamila was yield- walk-out did not appear to affect the requirement on the 14th of July," he stressed to lay the point of bill which originally seeks to allow the Indepen- ed the floor and he intervened to the effect that of quorum for sitting to hold, the majority APC privilege to rest. dent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the amendment sought by Faleke was different members present carried on with proceedings determine the manner in which it wants to trans- from that moved by Okechukwu, and as such, and and kept shouting "carried" even before Wase The PIB bogey… mit election results, either via electronic or manual should be considered. "Mr. Chairman, many of would put the question on a clause. Around same period also, the PIB report was means. The drama began when the deputy minor- our colleagues including Hon. Toby and others In another development, no member of the also and committed to a Conference Committee ity leader of the House, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, had made this point to the effect that you have opposition present objected to the consideration for harmonization with the Senate. The major dif- Enugu), moved that the said clause be amended to not ruled on this matter. The amendment by Hon. and final adoption of the Conference Commit- ference between what the Senate and the House allow that transmission of election results should Toby is for the electronic transmission of result, tee report on PIB even though it was not initially passed was on the percentage of Operating Ex- be via only electronic means and not manual. Sur- which is different from that of Hon. Faleke. So you slated for consideration on the order paper for penditure (opex) funding for host community prisingly, Okechukwu's motion was seconded by need to put a question on it," Gbajabiamila said. the day. development. While the Senate approved 3 per the deputy majority whip, , Making a contribution, House Leader, Ado cent the House stayed with the 5 per cent recom- (APC, Abia). This development left observers at Doguwa (APC, Kano) suggested that Gbajabi- amila was deploying semantics on a matter on Playing to public opinion… mended by the joint committee of both chambers the gallery surprised since the notion that mem- Mr. Elumelu led the bulk of opposition mem- on the PIB. bers of the APC were against electronic transmis- which the gavel had dropped. At that juncture, Wase put the question on Faleke's amendment, bers to a press briefing within the precinct of the sion of election results. But when the presiding House of Representatives. He told journalists: "Ni- deputy speaker put the question on the amend- and despite having overwhelming support from 48 hours of drama and drag…. members via voice votes, he ruled against the gerians sent us here for a purpose. We are here for On Thursday, the 16 July 2021, the House ad- ment of the clause 52, there was an overwhelming a purpose and the purpose is to represent their 'Ayes' in favour but Mr. decided to give it to the overwhelming majority who said "Ayes". This led journed plenary session abruptly as commotion to another round of protest and altercations on interest. The Nigerian people voted us to represent ensued amongst members in the chamber during 'Nays,' a decision that sparked off a prolonged row. their interest. And in this electoral Act we started Lawmakers across different divides took to the the floor with Bem Mzundu, Kpam Sokpo both consideration of reports on the two controversial from Benue, Mark Terse Gbillah from Benue and very well, when it got to clause 52 sub 2, which bills. floor to protest the ruling as some were seen ap- talks about electronic transmission of results and proaching the mace just as Sergeant-At-Arms offi- of PDP and Ifeanyi Momah from Anambra also Signs of a crisis-filled day were seen before the of APGA, were all seen quarrelling and shouting. we could not agree as to the mood of accepting commencement of plenary. Some members were cials in the chamber moved to protect the symbol whether to go for electronic transmission or of authority. In all this period of noisy row, Speaker Another member, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), heard screaming over the reduction of host com- had to be physically restrained to prevent him not in that process the deputy minority Leader munity fund from 5 per cent to 3 per cent. Mem- Femi Gbajabiamila, who had vacated the chair for moved for an amendment, in his amendment the deputy speaker to preside as demanded by the from attacking some colleagues. The rowdi- bers supposedly from the South South region ness lasted for well over an hour until the House he posited that amendment should read that the were seen quarrelling and shouting on their voices House rules, remained mum as the commotion next election should be by electronic transmission ensued. Reacting to the scenario after some calm reverted back to plenary at 5:32pm. To escape "this is fraud, we will blow the pipe. We need our the stalemate, the House resolved to invite the of results and eventually the chairman seating 5%." Mr. Chinyere Igwe and Boma Goodhead returned, Mr. Wase expressed anger and reserva- (Deputy Speaker Wase) refused to listen to the tions over the conduct of some members, saying: Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communi- both of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party cation Commission (NCC) and the Chairman amendment. (PDP) from were seen spearheading "As legislators we are at liberty to lobby ourselves on issues. But I take exception to people coming of Independent National Electoral Commission Read full article online at Orderpaper.ng JULY 2021 4 THE REPORT CARD OrderPaper Nigeria ONUIGBO: Recording Consummate Gains for Constituents and Country NAME: Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo PARTY/STATE: APC, Abia State STATUS: Ranking Member LEGISLATIVE INTERESTS: Climate Change and Renewable Energy POSITION: Vice President (Africa), GLOBE

urgent action to address the life-threatening The EAR Philosophy of Service Umunwanwa erosion The duties of lawmaking, representation and ix. A motion on the need for Nigeria to take oversight are the metrics for measuring perfor- decisive steps towards the incorporation June 2nd, 2016 and Hon. Onuigbo was Climate Change issues. He stressed during mance of legislators globally. And this applies of natural capital accounting into national to members of the National Assembly of Ni- physically present when the process was the budget defence that the N8billion was planning and budgeting - at ensuring that flagged off by the Federal Government, on far inadequate and hoped to get massive geria, including the extant 9th assembly which Nigeria’s national development plans take has marked two years in office already. For June 2nd, 2016 improvement on that amount. into consideration the impact of economic ii. As the Chairman of the House Committee As a second-term member, Rep. Onuigbo members who were in previous assemblies, the activities on the environment and the sum performance measurement commands higher on Climate Change, Hon. Onuigbo was part has continued with his oversight functions of the ecosystem services provided by of the Nigerian delegation led by President which span several committees and oversee expectations, especially from their constituents the environment on Nigeria’s economic who reposed confidence in reelecting them into , to UNFCCC COP several MDAs. activities 21 in Paris, France, when the first globally However, as a champion of the environment, office. Hon. Onuigbo’s re-election in 2019 was x. Motion on the need to intervene in the testament to the fact that the people of Ikwuano/ and legally binding agreement on Climate some of his oversight activities include the case of attacks and the gruesome murder of Change was adopted. following: Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency, four indigenes of Usaka Ukwu In Ikwuano appreciative of his unprecedented strides as a iii. On September 22, 2016, Rep. Onuigbo, viii. In further recognition of his role as a Local Government Area of Abia State by Minister of Environment (current Deputy champion of a balanced environment, Rep. lawmaker, decided he had to go back to continue armed indigenes of Ibono Okporo, Nkari with his sterling representation. Since then, he Secretary General of the United Nations) Onuigbo was elected as the Vice President in Ini Local Government Area Of Akwa Amina Mohammed, Attorney General and (Africa) of GLOBE International (which has continued with his people-centered repre- Ibom State in order to prevent a bloodbath sentation which is framed by his political phi- Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and made him a Board member of GLOBE - moved on the 14th of July 2020 on the the Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey International (being the first Nigerian to losophy of EAR (Effectiveness, Accessibility, and floor of the House of Representatives, Responsiveness). Onyeama were the only Nigerian officials be so elected) and President of GLOBE the motion sought to get the Federal who stood on the right hand of President Nigeria in the 9th Assembly. He has used Government to mandate security agencies Buhari at the 71st General Assembly in this position to drive for the attainment of Legislative Achievements to step in and prevent further bloodshed New York when President Muhammadu the objectives of the Global Environment in the boundary dispute between the two Buhari (GCFR) signed the Paris Agreement Facility 6(GEF6) project “GLOBE The following are motions and petitions spon- communities, ensure that the National sored by Hon. Onuigbo in the House so far: on Climate Change. Legislators Advancing REDD+ and Natural Boundary Commission (NBC) is sent to iv. In November 2016, Rep. Onuigbo Capital Governance Towards the Delivery i. Motion on the need for the urgent properly demarcate the boundaries, while reconstruction of the Umuahia – Ikwuano participated at the United Nations of the 2030 Agenda”. In the course of driving also ensuring that relief materials are Framework Convention on Climate this important national project, Hon. – Ikot Ekpene federal road provided for the displaced. ii. Motion on the need to check the admission Change, COP 22 in Marrakech, Morocco Onuigbo has held many interactive sessions of students into tertiary institutions for as part of the Nigerian delegation led with key MDAs, private sector players, and courses not accredited/approved by the Bills Sponsored: by President Muhammadu Buhari. In generally led National Legislators to begin to National University Commission (NUC). i. Climate Change Bill: In June, 2016, Rep. November of 2017, he was also part of the pay attention to the importance of Natural iii. Motion on the need to stop the deconstruction Onuigbo put together a panel of experts Nigerian delegation to the United Nations Capital Accounting to Nigeria’s sustainable of Nigeria’s national flag aimed at ending the to fashion out a robust bill on a Legislative Framework Convention on Climate development, while also furthering the strange and disturbing act of superimposing Framework on Climate Change Governance Change, COP 23 in Bonn, Germany. country’s implementation of its REDD+ the Coat of Arms of Nigeria on the white for the Nation. The bill, entitled “AN ACT v. As part of his efforts to ensure that relevant and Great Green Wall Initiative plans. His section of the Nigerian Flag. TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK Ministries, Departments and Agencies leadership of GLOBE’s ongoing interaction iv. Motion on a matter of urgent public FOR THE MAINSTREAMING OF become actively engaged on Climate with the Federal Ministry of Finance, importance on the need to immortalize two CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSES AND Change issues, Hon. Onuigbo conducted Budget and National Planning has set former national football coaches, Stephen ACTIONS INTO GOVERNMENT over twelve interactive and budget defence in motion the adhesion of Nigeria to the Keshi, and Amodu Shuaibu who passed on. POLICY FORMULATION AND sessions with MDAs during which he Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in v. Petition on the wrongful dismissal of over IMPLEMENTATION AND THE created the awareness required to contain Africa (GDSA), which will be a landmark 300 defunct Diamond bank staff without ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL the devastating effects of Climate Change. achievement for the country. due process CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCIL AND vi. In recognition of his exploits and ix. Hon. Onuigbo is also currently vi. Petition on the wrongful termination of FOR RELATED MATTERS” passed commitment to Climate Change issues, he championing the efforts of the Nigerian the employment of some employees of the through both the Senate and the House was on November 24th, 2016, elected the branch of Climate Parliament as they drive National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Representatives, but was denied assent Vice President of GLOBE Nigeria-- Global for renewable energy implementation and (NDLEA) by the President. This Bill has been re- Legislators Organisation for a Balanced sustainable development. vii. Motion on the need for the federal worked by Rep. Onuigbo and his team and Environment (GLOBE). GLOBE is an x. As part of efforts to kick-start the transition government to reverse the presidential resubmitted to the House and has since organization for parliamentarians in over of women (some of the worst impacted by directive to scale down non-agricultural passed second reading and committed to 99 Countries of the world and is committed greenhouse gases –GHG-- emission) to the programmes from the curriculum of federal the committee of the whole at the House to Climate Change and sustainable use of clean energy sources, Hon. Onuigbo universities of agriculture: This motion was of Representatives. development. With an eye on energy, donated clean-cook stoves to women aimed at reversing the illegal directive to ii. Bill for the amendment of the Flags and security and land use, GLOBE believes that leaders from his constituency. delist Management Science courses from Coat of Arms Act. legislators have an important role to play in xi. In January 2020, Rep. Onuigbo was one of Universities of Agriculture especially the iii. Bill for the amendment of the Federal ensuring that their governments fulfill their the Speakers during the tenth session of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, University of Agriculture Umudike obligations as it concerns commitments International Renewable Energy Agency Umudike. The Honourable Member Establishment Act. made during international negotiations. (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi, United followed this up with several consultations Hon. Onuigbo’s election as the Vice Arab Emirates where his presentation with stakeholders both within Abia State, Oversight and other legislative President of GLOBE Nigeria came as a focused on the impacts of Climate Change and at the national level, while also engaging duties recognition of the important role he played on women and the need for Climate the media extensively. as the Chairman House Committee on Change mitigation and adaptation efforts viii. A motion on a matter of urgent public Hon. Sam Onuigbo achieved the remarkable feat Climate Change which has seen several to prioritize women. In 2017, Rep. Onuigbo importance (order 8, rule 4) to call on of being appointed a Committee Chairman as a Ministries, Departments and Agencies had also participated in the 7th session of the federal government to immediately first-time legislator, during his first term in office. become aware of the roles they have to the IRENA Assembly. take actions to prevent a calamity waiting As Chairman, House Committee on Climate play in ensuring that Nigeria meets her to happen in Umunwanwa, Umuopara, Change, he was able to carry out the following Nationally Determined Contributions Projects Attracted to Constituency in Umuahia South LGA Of Abia State - oversight duties: (NDCs) in combating Climate Change. initiated to get the backing of the House in i. The Committee keyed into key oversight vii. On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, Hon. i. Rehabilitation of the failed sections of the Federal Lawmaker’s efforts at ensuring roles in the Ogoni Clean-up exercise Onuigbo was able to work with MDAs, to Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene road that the government and its agencies take launched by the Federal Government on get an unprecedented N8billion naira for ii. ii. Total reconstruction of the Umuahia- JULY 2021 OrderPaper Nigeria THE REPORT CARD 5 their energies into more rewarding ventures. xvii. On Friday, 16th February, 2018, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, in his bid to support the Abia State government with the digitalization of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), donated a video camera and lighting accessories to the station. xviii. Electricity Projects: Rep. Onuigbo has carried out electricity projects in Obuohia Obi-Ibere, Umuezeala Obonipa in Usaka Ukwu, and has donated transformers to the following: Ndoro Oboro, Agbama Olokoro, World Bank Housing Estate Umuahia, Nnono Oboro, Landlord Association of Umudike, Maryrose Umudike, Ameke Junction, Umuagu-ngolori, Isi Court Old Umuahia ixx. Medical Outreach: In March, 2018, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, aware of the importance of health to his people organized the “Sam Onuigbo Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers” in partnership with the medical Obunta water project Empowering farmers team of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Over 400 participants benefited from the free medical and counseling carried out by the medical practitioners. Also, following the outbreak of the Coronavirus, he immediately procured PPEs such as, tap- buckets, hand sanitizers, and liquid soaps, for the people of his Constituency, in line with the stipulations of the World Health Organization’s preventive manual. xx. Construction of the Elemaga-Itunta mini- bridge in Ibere, Ikwuano LGA. xxi: Installation of Streetlights at Obuohia Obi- Ibere and Ndoro Oboro, Ikwuano LGA. xxii. Abia Federal Secretariat: As part of his efforts to ensure that Abia State gets what is due to her, Hon. Onuigbo interfaced with the Minister of Works and Housing, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, and kick-started the process of building a Federal Secretariat in Umuahia. xxiii. Building of Townhall: Rep. Onuigbo has also facilitated the building of an ultra- Installation of transformers School block at Adanma Girls, Afugiri modern town hall at Ahiaeke Oloko. xxiv. Ngwugwo Valley Embankment: Following the destruction of the Ngwugwo valley embankment in a vehicular accident involving National Youth Service Corps members, in late 2018, Rep. Onuigbo swung into action immediately and rebuilt the embankment to save lives that could be lost by vehicles veering off into the gully there. xxv. Construction of drainage at Iyibom along the Okwe-Obuohia road. xxvi. Construction of Obuohia-Nkari Bridge (Ongoing). xxvii. Erosion Control and construction of rural road in Umuecheokwu,Umuovo, Old Umuahia, Umuahia South LGA (Ongoing).

The Federal Secretariat Project By Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo By August 2021, Abia State will be thirty years Empowerment materials for constituents Obuohia Cottage Hospital old. Yet the State does not have a Federal Secre- tariat even though some of the states that it is Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road- battery cages, point of lay birds, bags of feed, xi. Water Projects: Constructed two massive older than have Federal Secretariats. So, during a contract was awarded in April 2019 and and start-up funds in May 2021. water projects in Obunta Oboro Ikwuano budget defence session on 23rd October, 2019, I work is currently ongoing iv. Distribution of motorcycles, grinding LGA, and Inyila Ibere, Ikwuano LGA. Also presented this issue before the Minister of Works iii. Training and empowerment of constituents, machines, sewing machines, to hundreds carried out water projects in Avonkwu and Housing, His Excellency Babatunde Raji including on livelihood advancement skills of constituents. Ibeku, Umuahia North, and Obuohia Ibere, Fashola, SAN and asked for his intervention. which were followed up with either the v. Construction of School Blocks: Facilitated Ikwuano LGA. The Minister acknowledged that it would be provision of start-up stipends or start-up the construction of school blocks in Ekebedi xii. Empowerment of Farmers the right thing to do for Abia to get a Federal materials in Oboro, Ikwuano LGA; Old Umuahia xiii. Donation of Office equipment to Pacesetter Secretariat and tasked me with reaching out to The training lists include: in Umuahia South LGA; a block of two FM, Umuahia after the fire outbreak my Governor to provide a land for the Federal a. Women and youths from Ikwuano/ classrooms at Adanma Girls Secondary incident. Government to site the Secretariat. Immedi- Umuahia Federal Constituency on fashion School, Afugiri, Umuahia North LGA; xiv. Erosion Control Works: Facilitated two ately after the session, I drafted a letter to my designing by the Industrial Trust Fund a block of two classrooms at Umutowe massive erosion control works at Amankwo Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD. After b. Mechanics in their workshops at Mgbuka, Central School, Olokoro, Umuahia South Ezeleke, Umuopara, in Umuahia South a subsequent meeting with my Governor, he Ohiya Mechanic Village, by the National LGA; a block of classrooms at Nsirimo, LGA, and at Okwe Oboro, in Ikwuano LGA. did a letter dated 25th of October, 2019 to the Automation Council. Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA; a block of Both projects cost the Federal Government Honourable Minister committing to providing c. Youths from Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal classrooms at Umulu Ibere, Ikwuano LGA. about N750million. a piece of land for the Federal Government to Constituency on Solar Panels installation, vi. Health Centres: Attracted the construction xv. Construction of a Skills Acquisition Centre: site the secretariat. The COVID-19 pandemic POP and painting, and web design by the and renovation of Health Centres in Oloko In late January 2018, Hon. Onuigbo flagged and the resultant lockdown slowed down things Industrial Trust Fund. and Obuohia Obi-Ibere. Both projects have off the construction of a nine-unit Skills a bit. I followed up with this and on the 11th of d. Women and youths from Ikwuano/ been completed. Acquisition Centre which he attracted to September, 2020 the Abia State Commissioner Umuahia Federal Constituency on fish vii. Provision of Employment and Admission: his constituency. The Skills Acquisition for Lands and Survey wrote to the Ministry farming by the Federal College of Fisheries Assisted over 70 indigenes of his Centre, domiciled at the headquarters of the stating that the Abia State Government has al- and Marine Technology, Lagos. constituency to gain employment in both Umuahia South Local Government Area, located seven hectares of land at Ekeoba Public e. 1,500 women and youths from Ikwuano/ public and private establishments. In the in Apumiri, Ubakala, will see to the steady Building Layout for the purpose of building Umuahia Federal Constituency on how same vein, he has assisted many of his provision of various skills for the people the secretariat. I still followed up on this and to start and manage small businesses by constituents to gain admission into various of Ikwuano and Umuahia. The project is held meetings with the Permanent Secretary for the Border Communities Development higher institutions. valued at over N90million and is ongoing. Works and the Minister. I am still following up Commission. ix: Provision of educational materials for xvi. For four years running, Hon. Onuigbo has and I am confident that in no time, the building f. 100 men and women with galvanized students and purchase of WAEC and JAMB sponsored the Ibere football league, and the of the secretariat will start. This project is dear battery cages, point of lay birds, bags of feed Forms Obuohia Obi-Ibere football league as part to me; dear to Abia State and important to the and start-up funds in February, 2021. x. Provision of a generating plant for NTA of his efforts at providing entertainment for Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I am glad to g. 100 youths and women with galvanized Umuahia the youths and ensuring that they channel be a facilitator! JULY 2021 6 THE REPORT CARD OrderPaper Nigeria

Kalu Abaribe TA Orji Senate as retirement home for Abia Governors, deputy

By Ojochenemi Onje-James tive senatorial districts in the state. handed over to his anointed successor, deputy before They are Senators Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia Theodore Orji, who is currently also coming to the red chamber. Orji Kalu rderPaperToday – Aside North), Theodore Orji (Abia Central) serving as senator. The story of how contested and won the gubernatorial from being a retirement and Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South). Kalu pulled all strings to ensure the election in 1999 with Abaribe as his abode for former gover- Incidentally all three of them governed electoral victory of his chosen one, who deputy. Things soon got awry between nors, ministers, the Nigeri- Abia back-to-back before ending up in was then kept in incarceration, remains both men and Abaribe was impeached Oan Senate has become a platform where the Senate. very instructive in Nigeria’s political and restored as deputy governor twice governors are made. While Governors Senator Kalu is the Senate Chief history. However, more instructive was in quick succession. As plot for his third Ifeanyi Okowa and of Delta Whip. He served two terms as gover- the fallout between both chummy bud- impeachment was brewing, he resigned and Bayelsa States are examples of the nor of Abia State from May 29, 1999, to dies soon after Theodore Orji assumed from office on March 7, 2003. He gath- transition from the Senate to Govern- May 29, 2007, under the umbrella of the office. Senator Orji consolidated and ered political steam soon enough and ment Houses, Abia State typifies the up- Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP). Prior went on to win re-election in 2011. He was elected senator in 2007 on the plat- per chamber as retirement homes for to his election, he served as chairman of moved over to the Senate at the expi- form of the Peoples' Democratic Party those who have governed their states. Borno Water Board and Chairman of ration of his second term as governor (PDP). He has remained in the upper Two former governors and a former the Cooperative and Commerce Bank in 2015. chamber since then. Sen Abaribe has deputy governor are currently serving Limited. He is the Chairman of the Sun Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, who dou- successfully been re-elected three times as senators representing their respec- and New Telegraph newspapers. He bles as the Senate Minority Leader, was in 2011, 2015 and 2019 respectively. JULY 2021 OrderPaper Nigeria THE REPORT CARD 7 The Report Card is a Legislative Accountability Publication of OrderPaperToday Publishing. All rights reserved. [email protected] | www.orderpaper.ng Call/Text: 0906 144 4457