Aninri 11th Assembly has finally been inaugurated 44 days after the councilors won their respective wards.
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The development was contained in a statement personally signed by Aninri Chairman, Prince Ugo Nwanjoku, and released to the press earlier today.
Rt. Hon Okechukwu Philip Igwe emerged leader of the House, while Rt. Hon Nelson Nwanya was elected as Deputy Leader.
Rt. Hon Sunday Olisa Emeka and Rt. Hon Ani Gladys emerged Majority leader and Chief Whip of the House respectively.
The three political zones – Oduma, Nenwe and Umunne-Ato – in Aninri were subdivided into ten wards. In the September 21 council elections, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) trounced its rivals to cling victory in all the wards.
Prince Ugo Nwanjoku also won in clear landslides. The chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Amobi Agbara, conceded in live video and congratulated Nwanjoku.
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Others, Mr Celestine Chukwu of Labour Party (LP) and Mr Amobi Udeh of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), also conceded in the victory both the opposition parties and observers adjudged “freest and fairest in the history of Aninri politics.”
However, Aninri is yet to feel the impact or know the meaning of its legislature.
According to a former councilor who pleaded anonymity, legislative arms “is a scam in Aninri.”
“They are the executive chairman’s stooges,” he said. “So many of them cannot spell their own name correctly. Our days were the worst; none of us, including me, could be bold enough to ask Kpokirikpo (Hon Ezekiel Chukwu) any questions.”
The question of legislative incompetence in Aninri has arisen several times in the past. And, at the moment, it appears to remain the burning concern for Aninri natives.
Reacting to this in a phone chat, Prince Nwanjoku painted a different picture.
“Under my administration our legislature would be efficient and able,” he declared.
“Remember, I’m one of those strong voices who condemned the painful inertia seen in Aninri legislative arm over the years.
“If people of your ward sent you to represent them, then I see no reason you should not rise to the occasion.
“And I believe some administrations didn’t reach their full potentials for the simple reason that there were weak legislatures during the tenures.
“I have lofty dreams for our people. And we won’t be able to reach there unless all hands are on desk. So, disregard those who are saying I may try to cage our lawmakers. I want efficient lawmakers,” the chairman said.
A group under the auspices of Aninri Traders Union also joined the argument.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Nwigwe Donatus, the group said there is the need for the councilors to “do diligent jobs this time.”
However, they cautioned against unnecessary overzealous and antagonistic legislature.
“Do we say you should go to Ndeabor to fight the chairman? No.
“Know your duties and do them. If you commit yourself fully to the work of councilors then the work of the Chairman would be easier which, in turn, would make your own work easier.
“The results would all be in the positives and Ndi Aninri would be happy with the government,” the statement read in part.
In an area peopled mainly by illiterate small-time farmers and where there have been poor media exposure, the ten councilors would now be encumbered with the task of introducing their names and values to Aninri public.
In the past, the people of Nenwe ward 3 sent to the House a violent gangster whom his colleagues – also crude and rough – nearly kill in a disgraceful brawl that draw the attention of media and former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
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