The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Nigeria a civil society Advocacy Organization expresses grave concern over the recent actions of the Honourable Members of the Abia State House of Assembly, who, after publicly declaring their intention to proceed to Abuja in solidarity for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have reportedly travelled abroad under unclear and unexplained circumstances.
It is both troubling and unprecedented that a full complement of a sub-national legislature would vacate its seat of authority and relocate outside the country during an active legislative period without any formal communication to the people of Abia State.
There is no record of a House resolution announcing a recess, nor any public notice informing constituents of a suspension of the protest earlier resolved in plenary.
The Foundation in a statement signed by its Executive Director Nelson Nnanna Nwafor described the action of the Honourable members as a serious breach of parliamentary ethics and a dereliction of duty by elected officials who owe their constituents both accountability and service.
“The perceived abandonment of legislative responsibilities and abrupt international travel by several lawmakers — as evidenced by reports of large travel suitcases and the absence of a formal handover or recess process — undermines the sanctity of democratic governance and the rule of law in the state.
“Democracy thrives on transparency, deliberation, and continuous engagement with the electorate. The actions of the Assembly, as currently understood, violate these principles and reflect a growing culture of legislative impunity and detachment from the people.
FENRAD Nigeria demands the following:
1. Immediate Clarification from the leadership of the Abia State House of Assembly on the status of the protest earlier resolved during plenary, including reasons for its apparent cancellation or abandonment.
2. A Formal Statement from the Speaker and the Clerk of the House on whether the Assembly is currently in recess, and if so, under what constitutional or procedural provisions.
3. An Investigation by the relevant oversight bodies, including the Abia State Civil Society community and appropriate federal institutions, into the use of public funds for this unexplained overseas trip.
4. A Renewed Commitment by the Abia legislature to uphold democratic accountability, legislative integrity, and transparency in all its dealings with the people of the state.
Finally, FENRAD calls on all elected officials to remember that public office is a public trust. Legislators must, at all times, be seen to serve the interest of the people who elected them — not abandon their duties for unexplained overseas engagements.
Legislative Vuncum is not only unparliamentary, it is also undemocratic.
