ABAKALIKI/Nigeria: The action of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon Francis Ogbonnanya Nwifuru had been condemned by a social advocate group known as the Peoples Supreme Council, PSC, for withholding the entitlement of a former member of the House, Hon Maria Ude, due to her suspension for about four times between 2015 -2019.
In a Press Release made available to Ndokwa Reporters and signed by Comrade Ikem Anthony Kalzeeni, the National Leader on Thursday, May 7, 2020, the group demanded for the immediate payment of the said arrears to the former House member, as it demanded for an unconditional apology to the affected constituency by the leadership of the Assembly.
The PSC accused the house leadership under rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru of suspending the former legislator without any cogent reason, thereby depriving the people of Afikpo North Constituency of representation for the period.
The Full Release
PSC Demands immediate payment of Hon. Maria Ude Maria’s entitlement.
.. Calls for unconditional apology to her constituency by the leadership and Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly
(1) The Speaker of Eboyi State House of Assembly, Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru who represents Izzi West constituency unlawfully and without justification suspended *Hon. Maria Use Nwachi* from Ebonyi State House of Assembly four times in the course of her four year legislative tenure spanning 2015 to 2019 and by that action denied the entire Afikpo North East constituency that she represented the full and adequate representation in Ebonyi State House of Assembly
The speaker deliberately refused to pay her entitlement and arrogantly made it impossible for her constituency to be represented in Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Peoples’ Supreme Congress wishes to remind Mr. Speaker, that the law is not a mere theory or an abstract concept, but a living instrument that must protect our values and regulate the organized conduct of a civilised society.
It’s unlawful and wicked for the speaker to continue the apparent visible vindictive adventure of not paying Hon. Maria Ude Maria her entitlements till date.
We in People’s Supreme Congress are the voice of the Voiceless People of Nigeria. We are the defenders of the oppressed. We are agents of truth and Justice. Mr. Speaker, Justice can only be done according to Justification. What is the Justification of denying Hon. Maria Ude Maria some of her entitlements? You will tell us in court! What’s the Justification of denying her constituency full representation in Ebonyi State House of Assembly? These are pathogens of the Suspension that you subjected her to that the court of law will have to look into. We are glad that Hon. Maria Ude Maria is heading to court and we are taking her there. We are loaded and fully prepared to seek legal redress and resounding Justice. We call on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Press Council (IPC), EFCC, ICPC , Social Media agents, Federal Ministry of Women affairs, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Projects (SERAP), Civil Liberty Organisations (CLOs), and Nigerians to stand up and support this crusade for Justice. In conclusion. Mr. Speaker, We the members of Peoples’ Supreme Congress(PSC), Demands immediate payment of Hon. Maria Ude Maria’s entitlement and unconstitutional apology to her constituency by you, the leadership and Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
It is shocking that in an era where women are encouraged to join politics, that a courageous woman like Hon. Maria Ude Nwachi took the bull by the horn, and got a resounding mandate of her people to represent them only for the Speaker to suspend her because she organised her constituency to protest against lack of Electricity in her Constituency. The speaker asked her to apologise to Ebonyi State Governor Mr. Dave Umahi or risk suspension and when she refused, she was suspended and all her entitlement denied her till date.
Signed: Comrade Ikem Anthony Kalzeeni, National Leader
