In the next Assembly, the PDP will have a slim majority of 13 lawmakers – just two above APGA which will have 11 lawmakers.
But the deputy governor while speaking with journalists in Umuahia on
Sunday dismissed the fears that the PDP, which before the elections
occupied all the 24 seats in the Assembly, currently sits in a tight
corner.
He expressed the hope that APGA members in the House would soon defect to the PDP.
According to him, all APGA lawmakers-elect were formerly in the PDP but only left as a result of grievances but would soon return ‘home.’ “Before long, you won’t have anything like APGA again in Abia,” he said.
Okochukwu said the lack of financial and administrative autonomy was the bane of state legislatures in Nigeria.
He maintained that “it is only when the legislature is granted both autonomies that state lawmakers can meet the expectations of their constituents.”
He said the lack of financial autonomy was his greatest challenge while in office but expressed the hope that the anomaly, which he said affected every state, would soon be addressed.
Responding to a question on a likely friction with his principal, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the former Speaker ruled out the possibility of any clash of ego between them, saying that the challenges of governance were too enormous such that they would not have any time for distractions.
Okochukwu said that they were aware that any governor or deputy which fails to deliver will be voted out by the people in the next election hence they will be preoccupied with how to justify their victory.
Responding to insinuations that deputy governors are mere appendages, Okochukukwu said his boss would recognise the potential in him and treat him as a partner and not engage him in unnecessary rivalry.
He noted that the disposition of the governor mattered so much in assigning roles to the deputy but added that he enjoyed a very cordial relationship with his boss and did not envisage any rivalry.
He said, “I am a very loyal and good follower. I will do everything to complement the efforts of the governor in transforming Abia State.”
He expressed the hope that APGA members in the House would soon defect to the PDP.
According to him, all APGA lawmakers-elect were formerly in the PDP but only left as a result of grievances but would soon return ‘home.’ “Before long, you won’t have anything like APGA again in Abia,” he said.
Okochukwu said the lack of financial and administrative autonomy was the bane of state legislatures in Nigeria.
He maintained that “it is only when the legislature is granted both autonomies that state lawmakers can meet the expectations of their constituents.”
He said the lack of financial autonomy was his greatest challenge while in office but expressed the hope that the anomaly, which he said affected every state, would soon be addressed.
Responding to a question on a likely friction with his principal, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the former Speaker ruled out the possibility of any clash of ego between them, saying that the challenges of governance were too enormous such that they would not have any time for distractions.
Okochukwu said that they were aware that any governor or deputy which fails to deliver will be voted out by the people in the next election hence they will be preoccupied with how to justify their victory.
Responding to insinuations that deputy governors are mere appendages, Okochukukwu said his boss would recognise the potential in him and treat him as a partner and not engage him in unnecessary rivalry.
He noted that the disposition of the governor mattered so much in assigning roles to the deputy but added that he enjoyed a very cordial relationship with his boss and did not envisage any rivalry.
He said, “I am a very loyal and good follower. I will do everything to complement the efforts of the governor in transforming Abia State.”
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