‘It’s unfair to brand 9th NASS as rubber stamp – APC lawmaker, Onuigbo, says Buhari has done well’

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

All Progressives Congress (APC) federal lawmaker has passed a verdict of good performance on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Chief Sam Onuigbo, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State who gave the verdict in Umuahia, Wednesday, during a Media Briefing, also advised Nigerians not to write off the 9th National Assembly as a rubber stamp legislature. He said doing so would be unfair and hasty.”

Onuigbo who is the Vice President (Africa) of Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE), used the opportunity to render an account of his stewardship to his constituents, revealing that he has sponsored three bills, moved seven motions, presented two petitions and attracted several projects, among others.

The lawmaker said those evaluating Buhari’s performance should do so sector by sector. He insisted that such sectoral analysis would show where Buhari has done well or otherwise.

“Do a sector by sector analysis to determine where President Buhari has done well or not. But in the area of infrastructural development, he has done well,” Onuigbo said.

Commenting on the characterization of the 9th National Assembly as a Rubber Stamp Legislature, the lawmaker said those passing such judgement should exercise patient for the current NASS to run its full course, saying such comments were “unfair and hasty conclusions.

“It will be fair to wait till the end of our term, to see what the NASS will do before passing any verdict on our performance,” he said.

Delving into his performance in the last six years, Onuigbo who is the first to be re-elected into the position of the Representative of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, reeled out his numerous efforts to better the lots of his constituents.

According the legislator, he has sponsored three bills, including the Climate Change bill which was signed into law by President Muhammed Buhari last year.

“2021 ended with a bang for us as the Climate Change Bill which I sponsored was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari and consequently became an Act of the National Assembly of Nigeria.  

“This Act has not only brought massive commendations to me by the global community, but also within Nigeria where the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Chinedu Francis Akubueze, and many others have applauded me for pushing through this historic piece of legislation which positions Nigeria to begin her journey to sustainable development.  

“This Act also earned me the award of Dean of Bills by the revered National Assembly Press Corps,” Onuigbo said.

He named the other bills he sponsored to include a Bill for the amendment of the Flags and Coat of Arms Act and a Bill for the amendment of the Federal University of Agriculture Umudike Establishment Act.

The jinx breaker said he has also moved seven critical motions on the floor of the Green Chamber, adding that he has equally attracted various key empowerment and infrastructural development projects to his constituency which cut across trainings in various skills and equipping the trainees with cash and tools; water projects, building of school blocks and markets, erosion control and road projects.

With less than two years to complete his term, Onuigbo promised his constituents that he would do more for them.

 “I cannot say that we have been perfect. One thing is for sure however; we have, to the best of our ability redefined representation. More will be done within the coming years,” he said and “profusely” thanked his constituents for the confidence they have reposed in him; as well as their “unwavering support.”