Ahiazu Mbaise Lawmaker Threatens Constituent With ‘pre Action Notice’ Over Demand For Constituency Project Accountability

The member representing Ahiazu Mbaise State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Samuel Otuibe, has reportedly sparked off controversy, as the two-time lawmaker is said to have threatened his constituent, Mazi Tony Odirichukwu with a ‘pre-action notice’.

The constituent who is an unrepentant critic of bad leadership and representation in his area and beyond is said to have picked up the lawmaker, as it concerned House member’s alleged lack of accountability in constituency projects.

This newspaper reliably gathered that the current controversy involving the lawmaker and his constituent started when, Mazi Tony Odirichukwu, (an indigene of Ahiazu Mbaise Council area), had sought to know what the lawmaker has practically put on ground with regards to the said millions of naira tagged ‘CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS FUND’, said to have been released by the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to all 27 House of Assembly members recently.Sources revealed that the constituent’s  concerns stemmed from the lawmaker’s perceived ineffectiveness in delivering projects and services to the constituency.

It was further gathered that the constituent was keen to know why the lawmaker has been continuously absenting himself from plenary sittings of the House, thereby, denying the people of Ahiazu Mbaise proper representation.
According to sources, the lawmaker, who is allegedly renowned  for his disregard for his constituents, has been accused of neglecting his duties, including his inability to establish a constituency office, among others.

The lawmaker’s response was to issue a pre-action notice, warning the constituent to retract statements deemed defamatory, an approach political analysts and critics viewed as unconstitutional, noting that such action gags freedom of expression and accountability, which is said to be necessary for good governance.

The lawmaker’s actions have raised questions about his commitment to representing his constituents’ interests.The incident has sparked heated arguments about the lawmaker’s performance and the need for greater transparency in constituency projects.”

The lawmaker referred to, in the past was, also, in the news, over notable incident where he allegedly threw a bottle at fellow legislator, who represented Njaba State Constituency, Rt Hon Uju Onwudiwe, during a heated debate.Reportedly, such unruly act was said to have raised concerns about his temperament and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.

In similar way, the lawmaker was said to have faced disciplinary action from the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe which amounted to  suspension lasting up to one parliamentary season, the reasons said to be due to un- parliamentary conducts.

As at the time of filing this reports, unconfirmed reports emerged  that constituents, certain political pressure groups, and civil society groups are allegedly  mulling the  recall of the Ahiazu Mbaise lawmaker.

Also, feelers were, that the Ahiazu Mbaise LGA party hierarchy of the Lawmaker are reportedly considering disciplinary measures against him, said to be owing the lawmaker’s failure to approach the Party, in order to exhaust internal Party mechanism before any legal action.