Imo speaker Acho Ihim worries over 7 deaths in 7 months of ex-lawmakers

Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Acho Ihim, has expressed worries over the spate of untimely deaths of former lawmakers of the as-sembly in recent times.
Speaking during a valedictory session in honour of late Dennis Egbuniwe Ogwuegbu over the weekend, the Speaker noted that the present assembly has witnessed seven deaths of the ex-law makers in seven months, a situa-tion he explained could have been remedied with adequate welfare.
Two corpses of former members of the House were brought into the hallowed chambers during a single session.
“This brings to seven, the total number of corpses of former members of Imo State House of Assembly being buried within seven months of the inauguration of the 8th session of the house, making the death an average of one former member each month.
“The body of Late Hon. Ukachi Amaechi has just left the hallowed chambers and that of HRH Eze Hon. Dennis Ogwuegbu admitted. I am stung and petrified at this strange sight. It is horrific and out of the ordinary,” said Ihim in an emotion-laden voice.
He said that the house was not only sad for the ugly development but ‘is torn apart by the pain of losing two of them’.
The Speaker announced that the house had resolved to hold a special joint session on February 14 with past lawmakers of the state assembly to chart a better way forward for them and the state.
“The special session which will involve all former lawmakers in the state and serving members will give the house an opportunity to find ways of ameliorating the sufferings of former members”, The Speaker explained.
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting which shall be made known to the execu¬tive arm for cooperation and implementation shall take care of the obvious hardship which leads to the incessant and untimely death of the ex-legislators.
Earlier in separate speeches, Mike Ihenetu, member representing Aboh Mbaise state constituency; the majority leader, Lugard Osuji, member representing Owerri Municipal state constituency; and the Deputy Speaker, Ugonna Ozuruigbo, member representing Nwangele state constituency averred that the continual death of former members of Imo State House of Assembly was orchestrated by the untold deprivation.