By George Best Okoroh
Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Okigwe South, Most Rev David Onuoha, has berated the National Assembly for lack of political will to fulfill its constitutional role of law making.
Delivering his Presidential Address/Charge with the theme ” Feed My Lambs and Tend my Sheep, The Test of true love for the Master” (John21:215-17)at the First Session of the Tenth Synod of the Diocese held at St. John’s Church, Umunumo, Ehime Mbano Local Council of Imo State, the Archbishop
challenged both arms of the National Assembly to ensure the survival of democracy in the country.
He said they have the responsibility to appropriate and carry out effective, oversight functions of other arms of government but regretted that the Assembly has failed in these responsibilities. The Archbishop noted that they have not been able to activate the constitutional provision to save the nation from imminent precipice in very challenging times like these in the history of the nation.
Archbishop Onuoha who accused the National Assembly of guiding and protecting the Executive arm of Government in its avowed breach of the federal character principle in appointments, failure to do the needful regarding the nagging issue of open grazing and the herders conflict with farmers, banditry, kidnapping, unknown gunmen as well as seeking to preserve their political career and interest above those of the nation state.
He urged that every legitimate means should be employed at this challenging times to remove whoever that was threatening the cooperate existence of the nation to guarantee peace and the safety of the citizenry.
The Archdeacon in apparent anger rated the National Assembly low and urged those who through their actions and inaction, statements or silence, as well as conduct or misconduct were beating the drums of war very high to retrace their steps , stressing all should pursue all that make for peace.
The number one Anglican in Imo State expressed worry at the unfortunate security challenge in Imo State and the onslaught in Igboland and called for an unbiased assessment to ensure that what is happening was not a well articulated script to overrun Igbo land.
The guest lecturer and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike in his paper titled “Service to the people as a hallmark to Governance: Rivers State Experience”, explained that governance was an inherent good but only effective governance that guarantee every society that opportunity of achieving the collective aspirations of the people and the goodness in governance.
Governor Wike who was represented by the Deputy Governor Dr. . Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Deputy Governor, noted that only good, visionary effective and transformational leaders can guarantee democracy, rule of law, progress of the society and enhance the wellbeing of the ordinary people..Special host of the Synod and an indigene of St John’s Church, Sir Chidiebere Okoroafor said the success of the Synod was overwhelming for which the Church will ever remain grateful to God. Sir Okoroafor said he was particularly thankful to God that inspite of the security threat by unknown gunmen in State their guests were able to pass across their widow’s mite despite the fact that the insecurity challenges in the State.
