In a move that underscores the delicate balance between legislative oversight and political strategy, a prominent Abia State lawmaker has announced a formal, six-month assessment period for the current state administration before rendering his verdict.
By Leonard Okachie
Ohanze (Abia), Dec. 30, 2025 (NAN) Chief Solomon Akpulonu, a member of the Abia State House of Assembly, has declared his intention to commence a detailed evaluation of the Labour Party (LP)-led government under Governor Alex Otti. He made this announcement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at an empowerment event for his Obingwa East State Constituency in Umuogele, Obingwa Local Government Area.
Akpulonu, the immediate past Majority Leader and a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), outlined a deliberate approach. “But for now, I will not say anything. I’m just quiet, taking records, keeping documents,” he stated. “As an insider, after these six months, I should have given the government of LP the benefit of the doubt. I shall be assessing them based on what I know that has come into this state and what they have done.”
This pledge for a measured assessment is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it moves beyond instant political criticism and suggests a framework based on documented evidence and observable outcomes. For constituents, it implies that their representative is prioritizing substantive governance review over partisan rhetoric. The six-month timeline allows for the examination of budget implementation, project execution, and policy impacts, providing a more concrete basis for judgment than early-term reactions.
The context of Akpulonu’s political career adds depth to his statement. As one of the state’s longest-serving lawmakers, his perspective is informed by multiple administrations. His experience also includes a notable disciplinary episode: NAN reports that he was suspended from plenary for 14 sitting days in July 2023 by Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa for alleged “gross uncivilised attitude” and granting unauthorized press interviews. This history highlights the often-tense relationship between individual lawmakers and legislative leadership, framing his current “quiet” approach as a potentially strategic shift.
In a parallel revelation, Akpulonu signaled a major shift in his own political trajectory. “I am so happy that I have been able to achieve a lot in the House of Assembly. I have done my bit, and I’m not a sit-tight person,” he said. “So, for now, I am done, I cannot contest the House of Assembly again… I just decided that I should pause at this local level, and maybe think higher.” This announcement of retirement from the Assembly race opens questions about future ambitions for higher office, with the lawmaker noting he is “still monitoring the political terrain.”
Amid internal crises within his own PDP, Akpulonu pledged loyalty to the party but with a pragmatic caveat reflective of Nigeria’s fluid political landscape: “I have no camp and any group that wins in the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court, I’m there.” This statement underscores the realignment and factionalism common within major parties, where legal battles often determine leadership and control.
The setting for these announcements was a constituency empowerment program, where Akpulonu distributed items worth millions of naira, including motorcycles, sewing machines, generating sets, and food staples. “This is a festive period and as our custom, at least, we share certain things with our people,” he remarked, tying the event to cultural traditions of sharing during the Christmas season. Such programs are a cornerstone of the representative-constituent relationship in Nigeria, blending social welfare with political patronage.
In essence, Chief Akpulonu’s declaration sets the stage for a consequential review. His planned assessment, coupled with his exit from Assembly contests, positions him as a potential influential voice in evaluating the Otti administration’s first critical years. His verdict, promised in six months, will be closely watched not just for its content, but as a barometer of opposition strategy and informed legislative critique in Abia State’s evolving political environment.
LEO/KUA
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Edited by Uche Anunne
