The political face off between Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and 2014 gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah yesterday opened a new episode when the State House of Assembly ordered that the Commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism, Barr. Jeo Martins Uzodike should appear before it tomorrow following allegations of deformation.
The assembly had alleged that Uzodike insulted a Constitutional Institution; which is the legislature accusing them of going to Lagos merely to eat rice and beans and abdication their oversight functions.
It would be recalled that members of the state Assembly had honoured an invitation from Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah to Lagos where his younger sister, Vivian had her wedding reception which did not go down well with the powers that be in government house Awka.
Ever since, it has been a cat and mouse relationship between the legislative and the Executive arms of government with the lawmakers tactically avoiding public functions where them and the governor have to meet.
Also the monthly meetings between the governor and the lawmakers appears to have been jettisoned as both parties are not disposed to any of such parleys as before.
According to a motion moved by the member representing Ekwusigo State constituency, Mr. Poly Onyeka and seconded by Ikem Uzozie of Aguata II constituency, the lawmakers described the statements made by the Commissioner, Uzozeie as a slap on the integrity of lawmakers who represents the 177 communities and thirty constituencies of the state.
They further described it as defamatory and on that goes to show that the commissioner neither has respect nor value for the legislative arm of government by reducing the lawmakers as being too beggarly to the extent of traveling all the way to Lagos to eat rice and beans.
According to Gabriel Onyewife, Former Chief Whip and Representative of Ayamelu Constituency said that “This is a unanimous resolution by the members and we cannot say what his punishment would be until he comes and we hear from him. So we are expecting him on Thursday (Today) to appear before the assembly as plenary.
Commissioner Uzodike said that he needs to see the said newspaper publication, read it in order to find out if he actually referred to the state Assembly as those who went to Lagos to eat rice and beans.
