By Onyinyechi Nwankwo
A legal practitioner and politician, Chief Mike Ikenna Ahamba, SAN (Ugo Lorji), has urged the Nigeria National Assembly to endeavour to carry out its constitutional powers effectively, in correcting some anomalies witnessed in the country.
Ahamba who spoke to journalists at the occasion of book presentation of his latest book titled “Getting it right in Nigeria” at Immaculate Hotel Portharcourt Road Owerri, last week, expressed disappointment in the National Assembly, a body he affirmed is saddled with the power and responsibility to make laws, for the peace, order and good governance of the Nation, for not showing enough capacity in exercising its Constitutional powers due to political and ethnic bias.
According to him, “the National Assembly is the most powerful body in this country and has powers to make laws, for the peace, order and good governance of the Nation. In Nigeria we are living in breach; people will sit in their armchairs and say that the powers of the President are too much; that the President is given too many powers in the constitution. It is not true! The power is in the National Assembly, but because of political and ethnic bias, they do not want to do their job and that is the truth of the matter”.
He added that “if Mr. President gets it wrong, the Constitution has said how he can be curtailed, but when it gets to the National Assembly, political party interests and ethnic interests will come in, that is what I’m trying to point out”.
While reviewing the book, Prof. U.U. Chukwumeze, SAN, described the Aboh Mbaise born political icon as an accomplished man who believes in the collective good of humanity, saying the book has 540 pages, written with historical perspective, covering the period of 1980–2018, which addressed various ills of the society or country.
He noted that the book is in depth in analysis which discussed issues of constitutionalism, rule of law, judiciary, legislation, sustainable development, Mbaise Nation, journalism, press, culture and democracy among others, stating that the legal luminary’s voice has led to many reformations in electoral laws as well as contributed to the fight against injustice, awakening of consciousness among the Igbo to recognize themselves, wiping out delay in court proceedings, etc.
Chukwumeze encouraged citizens who seek, desire justice and truth to get the book and read through it, reiterating that the book is a master piece and futuristic in its analysis of law, politics, history, religion, culture and tradition.
Some notable personalities who graced the occasion and expressed their satisfaction with the book and appreciation to the author, Chief Mike Ahamba SAN, included the former Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Emeka Ihedioha, who was the Host of the event, Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Oliver Enwerem, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, former Secretary to Imo State Government, Dr. Alex Obi, former chairman of PDP, Barr. Ugochukwu Alinnor, Captain Ben, USA Army, Louis Alozie, SAN, D.C Denwigwe SAN, among others.
