The Effective Representation Of Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah And The Realization Of His Constituency Dream.

Since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, after several years of military interregnum, Nigerians have been looking forward to seeing the good things that came with a system of government ranked to be the best form of government on planet. Apart from the brief diarchy that was introduced under the military rule of General Ibrahim Babangida, which was more or less a resemblance of democracy, many Nigerian youths since 1983 were yet to see the full blown practice of democracy. Even if they do, it exists only in their imagination and textbook experience which is quite far from practice. Some of them must have read too, the book, Treatise of Human Understanding by John Locke, who happens to be one of the forerunners of liberal democracy anchored on the principles of representative system. 

The system automatically substituted all the cannons of the divine rights of kings whose pronouncements in the years past were deemed as laws and unquestionable. In Africa, traditional rulers who were highly revered like deities because of the enormous political and trado-religious influence gave way to the democratic superstructure, and every other thing caved in. This democracy which originated from the town hall system of meeting in Greece, where all the cacophony of voices was heard has given birth to the refined representative system. One of the benefits is that it affords the people the right in liberty to choose a leader of their choice.

Second, it gives the people the choice and chance to appreciate the needs and aspirations of the people it represents. Third, it provides what a contemporary British Political Scientist Professor Harold Lasky in his Book The Grammar of Politics would aptly describe as the best system for a peaceful change of government. Fourth, it enthrones a regime of accountability to the people it represents.

In Nigeria, only few names have been able to hang on to their seats in the Green and Red Chamber of the National Assembly based on their sterling performances. For example, Rt. Hon. Goodluck  Nanah Opiah, who is today regarded as first among equals of colleagues has attracted projects critical to the need of his Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency like Good Road Networks, Life Jobs, Award of Scholarships to indigent Constituents, Pipe borne Water, Rural Electrification Projects, etc. Apart from that, he has remained focused and consolidated on his symbiotic relationship with the executive arm by ensuring stability in the system and unwavering commitment to the war Against Corruption Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

As a ranking member of the House and House Committee on Niger Delta, he has sponsored and co-sponsored the passage of landmark bills. These include:

• ·         A Bill for an Act to Establish the Niger Delta Institute of Technology and Skills Acquisition, Egbema, Imo State, And to make comprehensive Provisions for Management and Administration, Provided for Detailed Identification of Areas In Technology And Skills Acquisition and Related Matters.

• ·         A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Act,2004 And to Re-Enact the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Act 2015 And connected Matters.

• ·         A Bill for An Act to Repeal the Peoples Bank of Nigeria Act Cap P7 Laws of The Federation of Nigeria 2004.

• ·         A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Gulf Oil Company Fund(Administration)Act 1964; And to Establish the Petroleum Technology Development Fund for The Purposes of Training and Education Of Nigerians In The Petroleum Industry.

• ·         A Bill for An Act to Establish the National Commission for Conciliation and Arbitration, National Labour Council, The Office for The Registration of Trade Unions, Etc, To Administer the Provisions of Labour Laws in Nigeria And for Matters Connected Therewith,2015.  

• ·         A Bill for an Act Entitled: Microcredit and Social Enterprises Regulation.

• ·         A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Loan (State Development) Act L16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004.

• ·         An Act to Repeal the Maintenance Orders Act Cap Mi Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004 ; to mention but a few.

Back home he is regarded as the voice of the voiceless. These enviable profile as a legislator endeared him to the masses who freely gave him the appellation, "Federal Lawmaker with the Best Constituency Project". This is what effective representation is all about and we expect other representatives to make same impacts.

As it is,Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency have no reason to complain because the Right man is in office. This is the time the people of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West must draw the red line between self-serving politics and articulation of a collective aspiration.

With the close of a General election, Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West should make wise decision by sending back Rt. Hon. Goodluck  Nanah  Opiah to the National Assembly to finish what he started. Those who are close to Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah must do everything possible to positively cuddle him well to the path of great success and avoid acts that will constitute a dog in the manger.

Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah deserves the support of all men of goodwill, given the very high aggregate of his performance index. This is the time for unity of purpose in nurturing to fruition the beautiful vision the people of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency have cast for themselves.

At last, we shall in unison sing, To God be the Greatest Glory!

Excerpt: Raymond Ejikemeuwa