The recent resolve of Southeast Governors, Senators and House of Representatives members to interface with the Federal Government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention has attracted commendation of South East Labour Party House of Assembly caucus.
In a communique issued on the state of the nation after meeting on10th day of July, 2024, the LP caucus described the the resolve as a demonstration of leadership and show of concern for the people, saying that it aligns with the position of several Nigerian leaders, including Chief Edwin Clark, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi and several others.
Lending their voices in appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, release Kanu, the group, in the communique signed by its leader, Hon. Barr. Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego and 10 others, said it will help to douse the current ravaging insecurity that has grounded the economy of the region and occasioned unprecedented loss of human lives as well as destruction of property.
The LP caucus maintained that Kanu’s release will also act as a healing balm to the region and also encourage the feeling of oneness as a nation, just as it will separate genuine agitators from criminals in the business of kidnapping.
On financial autonomy to Houses of Assembly, the group appealed to the Governors of South East Region and indeed the whole nation to work to grant full financial autonomy to the states legislature; in accordance with the constitution and the Principles of Separation of Powers.
This they said will go a long way in ensuring more robust assemblies “by enhancing their functionalities in the area of law making, oversight and other attendant legislative duties”, and following the example of the Federal Government, “will deepen democracy in the states and ensure more quality and effective representation”.
The communique reads in full:
A COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY SOUTH EAST HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY CAUCUS OF LABOUR PARTY (LP) ON THE 10TH JULY, 2024 ON THE STATE OF THE NATION.
Good day gentlemen of the press. After our meeting of 10th day of July, 2024, the caucus resolved as follows;
1. That we express happiness and gratitude to the Southeast Governors, Senators and House of Representatives members on their recent resolve to interface with the Federal Government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention. This is in line with the position of several Nigerian leaders, including Chief Edwin Clark, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi and several others.We see it as a demonstration of leadership and show of concern for the people. We therefore, lend our voices in appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, so as to douse the current ravaging insecurity in the zone. This insecurity has grounded the economy of the region and has occasioned unprecedented loss of human lives as well as destruction of property. His release will act as a healing balm to the region and also encourage the feeling of oneness as a nation. Furthermore, it will separate genuine agitators from criminals in the business of kidnapping.
2. That we also appeal to the Governors of South East Region and indeed the whole nation to work to grant full financial autonomy to the State Houses of Assembly in accordance with the constitution and the Principles of Separation of Powers. This will go a long way in ensuring more robust assemblies, by enhancing their functionalities in the area of law making, oversight and other attendant legislative duties. Following the example of the Federal Government, it will deepen democracy in the states and ensure more quality and effective representation.
3. That the Federal Government should ensure the quick resolution of the current minimum wage impasse between the governments, organised private sector and Labour Unions. With the current economic reality and astronomical increment in the prices of goods and services, it will be wrong for the government not to hearken to the voice of the NLC/TUC who represent the voice of the suffering masses. Nigerians are in agony on account of the current harsh economic situation, and the worst hit appears to be the workers whose income is obviously not enough under current situation.
4. We abhore the recent hasty incarceration of Hon. Bright Ngene who is a candidate in a rerun election in Enugu state, whose prison sentence seemed to be politically motivated. We call on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to look into the case and ensure that justice is done. It is surprising that even when the community who are the complainants in the case opted to withdraw the case, the court still proceeded to trial and sentence him to jail in controversial and suspicious circumstance without giving room for the adoption of written addresses by the parties.
5. We also appeal to the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly to as a matter of urgency ensure that in accordance with the standing order of the House, the minority positions due to the Labour Party are given to them without further delay. You recall that recently, some Labour Party members decamped to the PDP, going along with them the minority leadership positions of the Labour Party in the house. Since you have only two parties in the house, It is only right that the Labour Party is now in the minority and should be entitled to their minority leadership positions. As the speaker, who is the father to all in the House, it is only right and just that the positions be returned to the Labour Party to ensure fairness and equity.Thank you gentlemen of the press.
Signed
_____________________________
HON. BARR. JUDE IFEANYI UMENNAJIEGO
CAUCUS LEADER
_________________________
HON. KINGSLEY UDEMEZUE
_____________________________
HON. NIGERIA CHIDINMA MBACHU
__________________________
HON. NKECHI OGBUEFI
_____________________________
HON. JUSTICE AZUKA
___________________________
HON. HARRISON OGARA
_____________________________ HON. EZE GABRIEL
_____________________________
HON. MALACHY ONYECHI
_________________________
HON. RAYMOND UGWU
_____________________________ HON. FRED EZENWA
_________________________
HON. OSITA OKOH