Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (African Region), Dr. Hon Acho Ihim, has dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the lawmaking house is a rubber stamp of Governor Rochas Okorocha.
Ihim, who briefed newsmen in his official residence in Owerri on the programmes lined up for the forthcoming Commonwealth Parliamentary Association scheduled to hold in Owerri, argued that it was grossly misleading for some individuals to misconstrue the cordial working relationship between the Legislature and the Executive in the states as a sign of weakness on the former.
He said that President Muhammadu Buhari would be in attendance.
According to him, the prevailing atmosphere of mutual tolerance and understanding between the two arms of government was a product of the impressive performance of the executive.
He maintained that the legislature was not prepared to antagonize the executive just to score cheap popularity.
Ihim, who represents Okigwe State Constituency, defended Okorocha over the controversial statue of the South African President, Jacob Zuma in Owerri, saying that it was a product of a bill passed into law by the State Assembly which now empowers the governor to accord recognition to any individual who has distinguished himself in his service to God and humanity across the globe.
“The only way to appreciate anybody who does or did well is to appreciate him when alive or dead. I wonder why nobody raised an eyebrow when a similar honour was accorded to the Ghanaian President, Addo Akufo and Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme.”
He explained that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association came on board to enable the members share common experience on how to move their countries forward.
He noted that such divisive issues as hate speeches emanating from IPOB, Arewa Youths Consultative Assembly and the Egbesu group had been effectively tackled.
