National Assembly Inauguration: Nigerians celebrate across party, tribal lines

By O’star Eze

The Inauguration of the 10th National Assembly held, Tuesday, June 12. After the morning formalities at the Chambers which included the election of their leadership, the senators and house of reps members took to their various venues to commence entertaining their guests and receiving accolades.

While Dr Tony Nwoye started his celebration at The Dome Centre, Gariki Abuja, by 2pm or thereabouts, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah started his at about 6pm. In spite of the fact that one is of the Labour Party while the other, YPP, they seemed to have collaborated to ensure one could attend and enjoy both programmes the same day.

What struck me most about the two events which I attended was the fact that Political Juggernauts, political Wannabes, friends, well wishers from all the political parties and tribes in Nigeria melted into One Nigeria in celebration of the new and renewed National Assembly members.

The likes of Former Senator Uche Ekwunife, Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba, Chief Akai Egwuonwu of Anambra Rice, Mr Afam Ezenwafor of Afamation Movement, Mr Barth Nwibe of Igboukwu, were seen felicitating with the senators amidst a wide range of delicacies, dishes and drinks. There were also northerners, southwesterners and members of other tribes who took unreserved part in the jubilation.

Dr Ifeanyi Ubah outdid himself in hospitality. The list of menu that was served at his reception was endless. Wines and drinks, ice creams and juices, African and intercontinental dishes. Everyone who sought to indulge him or herself in the feast got filled to the brim and plastered.

Indeed, it was a masterpiece of celebration. All the guests of these parties were unanimous in the view that Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, who is returning to the senate the second time and Dr Tony Nwoye, who has been an administrator all his life, both have what it takes to break the glass ceiling holding their constituents down from thriving and removing every bottlenecks that impinge on the prosperity and peace of Anambra South and Anambra North respectively.

Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah in his appreciation speech, thanked God, his family, friends, party members and campaign team for the part they all played in his emergence as the elected Senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone for the second time.

Ubah maintained that his political ambition was driven by the passion to liberate the people from mediocre political representation and all the vices associated with it. He noted that he had tackled the problems of Ndi Anambra South using his platform with unparalleled fervor and reiterated his resolve to beat his own records this second time around.

Speaking to the press, Ubah noted that the job of legislation and all the associated duties at the chambers required the kind of strength of will and wealth of negotiation power he brings to the table. He assured Ndi Anambra South that what dividends of democracy they had enjoyed from him in his first tenure would not come close to what he has in stock for them in his second tenure as Senator.



In the same vein, Senator Dr Tony Nwoye recalled all the ordeals he went through in his political journey to the senate, thanking the Almighty for rewarding his relentless and consistent drive to impact positively on the society from the platform of politics.



Though Senator Ekwunife could not grant the press interview, one would assume that she was confident members of the 10th assembly would do well in their legislative duties. Though the last elections did not favour her, she has not relented in dispensing the dividends of democracy to her constituency, Anambra Central, till the end of the 9th Assembly which she was part of.

Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, FCT expressed pride at the feat his professional colleague, Dr Tony Nwoye has achieved politically. He stated that Nwoye has paved the way for other medical doctors to thrive politically adding that he was certain Nwoye would bring his wealth of experience in the medical profession and politically to bear in ensuring that Ndi Anambra North get their due share of quality representation.

In all, it could be said that the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly was a celebration of a new Nigeria. All the guests and celebrants alike were unanimous in reiterating their faith in a New Nigeria of peace, unity and progress.