A federal lawmaker, Hon. Bede Eke has given the Nigeria military 14 days within which to respond to the petition cabled to it in connection with the alleged killing of his constituent, Noel Chigbu by a soldier.

Eke said he would take up the matter at the floor of the National Assembly if the military authorities fail to respond to the petition written by the bereaved family once the ultimatum elapses.

 

The lawmaker gave the ultimatum on Monday, June 14 while speaking with newsmen in Owerri, Imo State.

Eke, who represents Aboh Mbaise/Ngor/Okpala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives condemned the spate of killings and maiming in Imo State and the country.

He expressed dismay that a soldier killed his constituent, Noel Chigbu, a businessman while he was returning to his residence in Owerri in May this year, dumped his body and vehicle at the police station for no just cause.

The lawmaker also condemned the murder of Alhaji Ahmed Gulak in Imo State but regretted the strategy of killing and arresting innocent citizens by security operatives.

Eke enjoined the security operatives to adhere to rules of engagement in their peace-keeping operations in Imo State.

He said; “I condemn what is happening in Imo State. Imo used to be a peaceful state; that you could go out at night to enjoy yourself. It has suddenly turned in a war zone, you are not safe in the hands of bandits; you are not safe in the hands of security operatives who ordinarily should have protected you. There is extrajudicial killing everywhere.

 

“Nobody is happy that they killed Ahmed Gulak, for him to come to Imo means he was a perfect Nigerian. But go after the killers and leave my people alone, those destroying property, go after them and leave innocent people alone. People are scared to go about their business.

“We lost a young man who was running a Sharwama shop on his way back to the house. He was killed by the military, they took his corpse to the police and the police took it to the morgue, nobody says he was a bandit. We have rules of engagement, they should apply it. I condemn those killing security men, when you kill them, who is there to protect us? When you burn police station, who is there to protect us? But the issue is that they should apply the rule of engagement in dealing with the citizens”.

The two-time lawmaker also emphasized the need for the National Assembly to ensure the amended Electoral Act is passed and transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent before the 2023 general elections.

He believes that the amended electoral act holds the key to enthroning good governance in the country.

According to him, failing to get the amended electoral act passed into law would encourage ballot manipulation and emergence of leaders who would have no respect for the led.

 

He said; “House says by first quarter of 2021, it will pass the electoral act. For us to get rid of bad governance, we must get the electoral process right, when public officers know they are accountable to the people, they would be very careful. But when we have those loopholes, that one could write result.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan introduced card reader, but court said it is not known to law. The only way to have good governance is to get the electoral act right. It was delayed in the last administration, just dust the bill and give it to Mr. President to sign.

“Some politicians don’t want it because they want to write results, Nigerians should not keep quiet, Nigeria belongs to us all. Their plan is to write results in 2023.”

Eke also listed his achievements to include rehabilitation of schools, markets and health centres as well as distribution of improved seedlings to farmers in his constituency.