By Praise Chinecherem
Member representing Awka South Constituency 1 in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Nigeria Henry Mbachu has explained reasons behind choice of Nigeria as his name.
This is also as he challenged journalists in the State to always hold government accountable, including investigating non-conduct of local government administration in the State.
Speaking during a media parley with members of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, Mbachu said, “While still in secondary school, I discovered that many Nigerians are not patriotic citizens and this was a source of worry to me.
“Besides, I’ve always wondered why Nigeria has remained one united entity and have not disintegrated despite all the challenges she has passed through.
“As a proud and patriotic citizen, I decided to bear the name Nigeria so I can also enjoy the attributes that has kept the nation together as well as contribute my qouta to ensure it remains a united and indivisible entity.”
The Labour Party (LP) lawmaker argued that absence of local government system has impeded growth and development across the 179 communities in the State.
He attributed growing insecurity, increament of house rent, high cost of food, population explosion in the state capital, among other factors to lingering non-conduct of local government poll.
He noted that local government system remained only channel rural dwellers could benefit from dividends of democracy.
He said, “Virtually all Transition Committee Chairmen in the 21 Local Government Areas of the State, Traditional rulers, President Generals, top community leaders and host of other politicians reside and operate from the State capital due to lack of basic amenities in their various council areas.
“The lawmakers are now performing dual function of lawmaking and running of local government activities, all to meet up the financial needs of those at the rural areas.
“There is so much to be done in the remote areas and this can only be achieved through a democratically elected leadership at the Council Areas.
“You Journalists should always investigate the truth and hold those in power accountable as watchdogs of the society. I challenge you to investigate why local government election for long now has not been conducted in the State.”
Referring local government as bedrock of governance, Mbachu called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to conduct the local government election as promised the electorate during his campaign in 2021.
He also described as mockery the N50million budgetary allocations for the Anambra State Independent National Electoral Commission (ANSIEC).
