ABUJA — A viral video featuring Hon. Maureen Gwacham, the member representing Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency of Anambra State, has triggered a wave of criticism after she was filmed laughing while admitting she was uninformed about a legislative motion she was supporting.
In the short clip from a recent House of Representatives session, the APGA lawmaker stood up to perform her official duty but stunned colleagues and observers with her candid admission.
“I am seconding a motion I know nothing about,” Hon. Maureen Gwacham said, laughing as she spoke into the microphone. “I just came in.”
While some in the chambers could be heard chuckling in the background, the footage has not been well-received by the public. On social media, Nigerians have slammed the lawmaker for what many describe as a “flippant” attitude toward her constitutional responsibilities in representing the people of Oyi and Ayamelum.
Critics argue that seconding a motion is a formal legislative act that signals a member’s support for the substance of a proposal, and doing so without knowledge of the content undermines the seriousness of the 10th National Assembly.
Hon. Maureen Gwacham, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, has previously been noted for her advocacy regarding flood relief and road reconstruction in her constituency. However, this latest gaffe has overshadowed her past record, with many constituents calling for more diligence in the discharge of her duties.
As of Friday evening, the lawmaker’s office has not released a formal statement to clarify the context of her remarks or the specific motion being discussed at the time.
