Kanu: Why Igbo NASS members are silent – Rep

The member representing Arochukwu/ Ohafia federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Uko Nkole, has explained why National Assembly members from Igbo extraction are silent over the ordeal of the detained Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu was arrested by the operatives of the
Department of State Security ( DSS) in October 2015 and has since then remained in prison custody as the federal government has preferred treason charges against him.
According to Nkole, Igbo lawmakers decided to keep sealed lips over Kanu’s affairs “ because the matter is already in court”.
The lawmaker who made the explanations while fielding questions from newsmen on Friday after inaugurating his constituency office in Ohafia said there was nothing they could do until the court had decided on the matter.
On the destruction of crops and farmlands in some parts of the South East sates by Fulani herdsmen and their cattle, Nkole condemned the action and called on the security agencies to rise up to the challenge before it degenerates into ethnic clashes.
He decried the reported declaration of some part of Ohafia farm land as “Republic of Fulani” by some Fulani herdsmen who also hoisted their flag on the area, and commended the security agents for dismantling the said flag.
He said that while there is freedom of movement in the country, it would be wrong for herdsmen to hide under the guise of such freedom to destroy crops and farmlands of their host communities.
Answering questions on the controversial salaries and allowances of the National Assembly members, Nkole said he receives only N557,000 per month, adding that he just got bank alert for the payment of his February salary.
He frowned at the slashing of the salaries of lawmakers in view of the number of persons they cater for in their various constituencies.
“If you slash a legislator’s money it is the people’s money you are touching because a lot of people actually depend on the money”, he said.
In his remarks at the event, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ohafia council , Chief
Sampson Anaga, called on the indigenes of the council living abroad “to return home and pay their taxes and property rate “ to shore up the Internally Generated Revenue of the council
He regretted that lack of funds was stalling the development of the area, and expressed hope that if the council’s income improved, more development would be recorded.