The 7th STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: A Resting House ?

By Chukwu Abia State|Grassrootsmirro 

July 1, 2025

People often think of the legislature as the center of good government in a democracy. It's supposed to be the place where the people's voices are heard, where laws are made for the state's progress, and where the executive branch is kept in check. But in Ebonyi State, many people call the 7th House of Assembly The Resting House. This isn't just a funny nickname; it's how people honestly view the House's inactivity, poor performance, and failure to do what it's supposed to do.

A Legislature That Can't Speak Up

Since it started, the 7th Ebonyi State House has mostly acted like a rubber stamp, just agreeing with whatever the executive branch wants without questioning it. When the House needed to be brave and stand up for what's right, it was either missing, quiet, or went along with things. Instead of protecting democracy and watching out for the people's interests, it's been more like an extension of the Governor's office.

It's worrying that members of the Assembly seem to act more like political appointees than elected officials. They seem more interested in keeping their positions and staying loyal to the governor than in creating laws that benefit the people or demanding that government projects are open and honest.

Legislative Sleepiness and Stalled Policies

One of the biggest criticisms of the 7th Assembly is that it hasn't passed many laws. There aren't enough bills and motions to promote progress, improve education and healthcare, help agriculture, or deal with important problems like unemployment and safety. The House doesn't have many serious debates, strong resolutions, or thorough investigations.

When big issues came up, like floods, rising poverty, bad infrastructure, and human rights problems, the Assembly either stayed silent or didn't do enough. Now, they're better known for ceremonies and photo opportunities than for actually making a difference in people's lives.

Ignoring Oversight Duties

Besides making laws, one of the main jobs of any legislature is to keep the executive branch in check. But in Ebonyi, the 7th Assembly has pretty much given up on that job. They haven't held government departments accountable. Budgets are approved without enough review, and extra spending is rushed through without asking the public for their input.

The executive branch talks about all its projects, but the House hardly ever asks how public money is being spent, who's getting government contracts, or whether these projects are really helping regular people. When they do conduct oversight visits, they're often just for show, with little follow-up.

A Culture of Agreement, Not Doing What's Right

Many members of the 7th Assembly have put their own interests ahead of the people's. Many lawmakers are more interested in getting political appointments, getting re-elected, and getting favors from the executive branch than in making positive changes or standing up for their communities. Instead of questioning bad policies, they praise the executive branch in hopes of getting political rewards.

Even worse, no one in the House seems to speak out against wrongdoing. The fact that there aren't any brave voices shows that there's a culture of fear, agreement, and career climbing. The House should be a place where ideas are debated, but it's become a place of silence.

The harm of inactivity

When a legislature doesn't do its job, the people suffer. Corruption grows in secret, projects never get finished, rural areas remain ignored, health centers fall apart, schools lack teachers, and roads become dangerous. The executive branch feels free to do whatever it wants, and people lose trust in democracy.

This affects the state's progress, investor confidence, and stability. A passive House of Assembly isn't just a political failure; it's a betrayal of the people's trust.

What to do

The solution isn't just to replace people in the Assembly. We need to elect people who are honest, brave, and capable. Ebonyi needs lawmakers who know they have a duty to the people, not just politicians looking for deals and perks.

Future Assemblies must:

• Carefully watch what the executive branch does and how public money is spent.
• Approve laws that address the needs of communities.
• Stand up for the oppressed.
• Create ways for the public to hold them accountable.
• Not just blindly support the governor.

The people must also get involved by demanding answers, talking to lawmakers, attending public meetings, and voting wisely. The legislature must stop being a Resting House and become the People's House again.

In short

The 7th Ebonyi State House of Assembly is a warning about what happens when power isn't used for good and representation becomes meaningless. It's time for a change in Ebonyi's legislative politics, one that brings back integrity and independence to the Assembly.

History will judge the 7th Assembly not by its silence but by the harm its inaction caused. And for the people of Ebonyi, that harm has been too great.