The Speaker of the 7th Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji has accused the former Executives of orchestrating a coup led by the former Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu and nine members on the 2nd of May, 2023 over what was termed ‘a lack of insensitivity directed towards members’ and moved by the member representing Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency Hon. Kennedy Njoku.
Speaking at a valedictory media parley with members of the press at his residence on Friday, the Speaker who disclosed that the 7th Assembly comes to a close on the 10th of June 2023 stated that as a politician, betrayal is not always shocking but expected, and said that being careful should be the motto of every politician.
Maintaining that he will not mention names, he stated that the executives sponsored his opponents in the run-up of the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency but revealed that more explicit details will be revealed in his tell-all book.
Citing his achievements and regrets, Hon. Orji stated that he regrets the sentimental feelings which were attached to his work as those people whom he sacrificed for, betrayed his trust and warned that there are consequences to every failed coup.
“Let me make this clear, whatever happened within that period was orchestrated by the Executive. I warned my colleagues that these were all politics but they didn’t listen to me. I don’t want to be tempted to talk about the former Governor.
I discussed with the former governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and told him that I am ready for peace on one condition, that I will not preside with the former deputy Speaker Ifeanyi Uchendu. He agreed and told me he should leave the quarters.
But that I should let him have the car and I did exactly that. He also told me that if he was the one, he will not agree. That someone who plotted a coup against him and failed should face the consequences. Those were his exact words. I know as the governor, he influences some of the House of Assembly members but I told him that we will recall the other members so that they do not live with the stigma of being suspended. And we did that. I gave my Hilux to the current deputy Speaker Hon. Mandela Obasi.
And the clerk wrote to the former deputy to vacate the residence of the deputy speaker. I’m not bothered that he went to the Federal High Court because it does not have jurisdiction over State Assembly so he has to wait until the State Assembly resumes to file his papers and I will also file mine to pursue a logical conclusion. The only thing I said was that I cannot preside with someone who stabbed me in the back because tomorrow, he might be armed with two knives to complete the task. For me, this is a closure. Today is the last day of the 7th Assembly.”
Revealing that he had no regret as being the Speaker of the 7th House of Assembly was a privilege and honour, he stated that his greatest achievement was the peace in the Assembly despite the pressures.
“Being able to enact one, two, or three memorable laws is one of my achievements. All that is needed now is the willpower to implement these laws. The primary function of a legislator is to make laws and for the executives to implement the laws. Your duty is not to build roads but that the roads of your Constituency are reflected in the budget. Providing basic amenities is not the duty of a legislator but an avenue to make the people who voted for the person happy.”
The 7th Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Orji passed the Abia State Diaspora Commission Law, the Local Government Councils of Abia State Appropriation Law 2019, the Abia State Homeland Security Watch Law, the Abia State Telehealth Care Agency Bill, the Abia State Number Plate Production Authority Bill, the Abia State Security Fund among other bills.
