A frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State, Mr. Okey Ezeh, has chided members of the state House of Assembly for voting against local government autonomy in the ongoing constitution amendment.
In a release made available in Owerri, Mr. Ezeh who expressed utter surprise at such posture by the state House of Assembly, submitted that it has confirmed that the people are there for themselves and not for the people.
The APGA chieftain noted that the local government has been nonfunctional in the state for the past seven years and wondered why members of the House of Assembly should give in to selfishness at a time they were needed most to salvage the situation.
He queried if the lawmakers ever consulted their constituents to know what the people want before resorting to such selfish stance.
Commending most of the state Houses of Assembly that has already voted for the local government autonomy, Ezeh regretted that lack of financial autonomy for the local government has over the years emboldened governors to treat the local government like their private property.
As a result, the management consultant said much has been lost in terms of the development of the hinterlands which local government is meant to handle.
He therefore urged members of the state House of Assembly to rescind their decision and work for the welfare of the people for whom they are in the House of Assembly.
