UMUAHIA, Abia State — Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, has dismissed claims that the legislature is under the control of the executive arm of government, insisting that both arms maintain a cordial and productive working relationship for the benefit of the state .
Emeruwa stated this on Tuesday in Umuahia during activities marking the third anniversary of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly, which was inaugurated on June 14, 2023 . According to him, the Assembly has deliberately sustained a harmonious relationship with Governor Alex Otti’s administration to ensure effective governance and prevent unnecessary conflicts that could hinder progress.
“We maintained a cordial relationship with the government because, if there is any rift, the state will suffer,” Emeruwa said . “The relationship between the House and the Executive has been very cordial and harmonious, and we intend to keep it that way. We try to maintain that and resolve issues amicably.”
The Speaker firmly rejected suggestions that the executive arm had compromised the independence of the legislature. “I disagree with the idea that the Executive has pocketed the State Assembly. We can disagree, and at the end, the matter is settled in a peaceful manner,” he stated .
Reflecting on the achievements of the 8th Assembly since its inauguration, Emeruwa disclosed that lawmakers have considered 75 bills and passed 38 into law covering critical sectors, including welfare, criminal justice, political administration, and appropriation matters . “We have done so many laws, from welfare laws, criminal laws, and political appropriation laws. We have covered all grounds,” he said .
“There are too many laws that you may even say we should stop making laws for now, to implement the ones we have already done. If we keep implementing, every field, every aspect of human life has been touched. We have covered almost everywhere in lawmaking, within this eighth assembly,” the Speaker added .
Emeruwa also highlighted the Assembly’s role in granting partial autonomy to local governments and its continued oversight functions, noting that the finances of the state are being audited by the House in line with statutory requirements .
On constituency projects, Emeruwa said lawmakers had executed projects across the state but stressed that legislation remained the primary responsibility of the Assembly. He noted that members take interest in the execution of projects in their constituencies and ensure that contractors selected are certified to be competent and with capacity to execute the contracts .
The Speaker also disclosed plans to digitise the operations of the Assembly, noting that funding remained a major challenge. He expressed optimism that the digital transformation programme aimed at improving public access to legislative information and proceedings would be realised before the end of their statutory tenure in 2027 .
Addressing concerns over the death of Miss Wendy Achumba, an Abia-born nursing student reportedly killed in neighbouring Imo State, Emeruwa disclosed that he had personally visited the bereaved family and assured residents that government authorities are actively pursuing justice. He maintained that the matter would not be abandoned or politicised .
Emeruwa also expressed satisfaction that the number of Labour Party lawmakers in the House had increased from nine to 11 members, reflecting confidence in the Assembly’s leadership and direction . The 8th Assembly currently comprises 24 members, with the Labour Party holding 20 seats and the All Progressives Congress holding four .
Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Okezie Meregini, also present at the briefing, attributed the state’s accelerating development trajectory to the cordial relationship between the legislature and executive. He praised Emeruwa’s leadership style, describing it as inclusive and effective in managing diverse opinions within the House .
As the 8th Abia State House of Assembly enters the second half of its tenure, its leadership insists that legislative independence, institutional innovation, and citizen-focused lawmaking will remain central to its agenda .
