• Calls for rejection of dormant lawmakers

By ABDULKABIR MUHAMMED

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy, and Development (FENRAD) has expressed concerns over the alleged "docility and ineffectiveness" of the Abia State House of Assembly, arguing that the legislature has fallen short of its constitutional responsibilities. FENRAD alleges, in a statement signed by its founder, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor on 10th October, 2025, that the Assembly has allowed itself to be subjugated by the Executives, rather than acting as an independent arm of government.

"In its recent performance review, the Assembly has shown itself to be not a co-equal arm of government, but a mere appendix of the executive, failing in its core constitutional responsibilities of oversight, accountability, and true representation," they argued.

They also alleged that members of the Abia State House of Assembly had failed to probe the N54 billion purportedly expended on public schools by the State Government. This behaviour, FENRAD believes, undermines the principle of checks and separation of powers, and encourages reckless spending. FENRAD alleges that the Abia Assembly had snubbed its Freedom of Information (FOI) request earlier submitted, but further strengthened public perception of gross negligence.

"From its inability to probe the utilization of over N54 billion purportedly spent on public schools, to its silence on key environmental and infrastructural issues affecting the state, the Assembly has become a rubber-stamp body, quick to approve and slow to question. This behaviour undermines the very principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, and creates a dangerous culture of impunity within the government.

"FENRAD had earlier submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request on the N54 billion education fund without any meaningful legislative follow-up from the relevant House committees. Rather than demand transparency, lawmakers looked away, reinforcing public perceptions of collusion or gross negligence."

Meanwhile, FENRAD has appealed to the people of Abia State to "reject any lawmaker who has failed to perform, failed to speak for them, and failed to hold the executive accountable."

"The state deserves a vibrant, independent, and people-centred legislature — not one that rubber-stamps executive decisions or sits idly in the face of public suffering," they advised.

The rights group has also called on political parties to prioritize competence, integrity, and accountability in their nomination processes.

"Recycling underperforming legislators will only entrench further stagnation in Abia’s democratic journey."