Whereas many had believed that the screening that began yesterday in the house of Assembly was more of the “bow and go” ritual, it is not so.
Apart from Hon. D. K Uduma and the former house of Assembly members, who got the legislative privilege, others were properly drilled.
When Sir Emma Nwabuko was ushered into the hallowed chambers for screening, a mild drama ensued, as he faced barrage of questions from the lawmakers starting with the speaker, Rt. Hon Chinedu Orji, who asked the former principal secretary to Governor Okkezie Ikpeazu what he has to offer this time having served the state in many capacities in the past, including as commissioner for Works and Transport, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Special adviser Project Monitoring and Implementation and immediate past principal secretary to Governor Ikpeazu.
The speaker said he hopes that when Nwabuko is brought back in few months-time to tell the lawmakers his scorecard, he will not say he does not know what is happening in his ministry, a veiled reference to the trend in Abia in which political appointees often claim ignorance of some major dealings going on in their office or department.
At this point the member representing Ohafia North state constituency now asked the commissioner nominee why he decided to offer himself again and not give way for other candidates to come on board having been in government for too long, and also for the fact that age is not on his side.
Responding to the question, the nominee said that he came to serve and to help move Abia to the next level. Nwabuko said it does not matter how long one has been in government or the age, but a privilege to be nominated as commissioner by the governor of Abia State. He said he did not lobby to get it, and wondered why he should turn down the appointment.
Some lawmakers also raised question on whether the former principal secretary and project monitoring and implementation adviser is not worried by the Osisioma fly-over project which is yet to be completed after many years, and the impassable state of some roads that were constructed during his time as commissioner for works and transport.
But Hon Ginger Onwusibe, came to his assistance by saying that Nwabuko is not above 60 years as many people may think, adding that during his tenure as commissioner for works there were not many abandoned projects as can be seen today in the state. The questions continued but the speaker had to stop members from asking more question because his time was up.
Sir Nwabuko has been in government for over 12 years and is said to be one of the richest politicians in Abia today.
Source— Abia Pulse
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