Some residents of Nsukka in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have supported move to recall 26 members of Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA)
It would be recalled that, Legislative Lawyers in Rivers State under the aegis of Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners,(ALDRAP) had started move to recall the 26 RSHA members.
The association said the recall was as result of fresh impeachment proceedings initiated by the lawmakers against Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy on Thursday January 8.
The recall move was contained in a letter by ALDRAP to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Residents said this while speaking with our correspondent in Nsukka on Saturday, they supported the move as the affected lawmakers have detailed from the purpose their constituencies elected them.
Dr Chinedu Ejezie a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) said it was unfortunate that the 26 lawmakers have spent almost three years in unnecessary political jamboree and fight that had not benfited their constituencies.
” I know during their electoral campaigns to their constituencies in 2023 they promised effective representation, making laws that improve their people as well as attracting democracy dividends to their people but they have achieved none.
“Almost three years they have been busy supporting political fights that will only selfishly benefit and enrich their pockets without remembering to make good laws to improve Rivers State residents.” he said.
The don said if the people failed to recall these 26 legislators on political jamboree and destruction to serve as deterrent, those who will be elected in 2027 may “toe the same line”.
“We should hold our elected leaders accountable so that they will know that power belongs to the people and the people have the capacity to “hire and fire”.
“These lawmakers supposed to collaborate with Gov Furbra to develop Rivers State but unfortunately they are playing the script of immediate past governor to hold the state to standstill.
“From every indication the 26 lawmakers have derailed and lost focus why they are elected by their people.”he said.
Speaking Mr Gerald Eze, former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Nsukka branch, urged the constituencies of 26 lawmakers to give maximum support to ALDRAP move towards recalling them, since they have failed the people who elected them.
” The people have the legal right to initiate the recall process for any national or state legislator who have derailed from the mandate given to them by the people.
” One of the ways to halt the ongoing political crises in Rivers State is to recall the 26 lawmakers and elect new ones who have the interest of people at heart.
“Dedicated lawmakers put the interest of the people and the State first in all they do but unfortunately the 26 have not aligned themselves to this,”he said.
Chijioke Ani, a Youth leader and Right Activist condemned the actions of 26 lawmakers in Rivers State and urged the people of their constituencies to support the move to recall them as a way of calling them to order and moving Rivers State forward.
“Everybody knows that the constant impeachment threats of the lawmakers against Gov Furbara is the handwork of the former governor who claimed he is the political God father in Rivers State.
“It’s unfortunate that these lawmakers are allow themselves to be used as political tools to make Rivers State ungovernable,” he said.