A member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Solomon Akpulonu, says he will soon start his assessment of the Labour Party-led government.
He said this in an interview on the sidelines of the empowerment of his constituents in Obingwa East state constituency.
The colourful ceremony was held at his village, Umuogele, in the Ntighauzo Autonomous Community, Obingwa LGA.
Mr Akpulonu, former majority leader and member of the Peoples Democratic Party, said his assessment would start in the next six months.
He said, “But for now, I will not say anything. I’m just quiet, taking records, keeping documents. 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.”
Mr Akpulonu, who is one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the state, was suspended from plenary for 14 sitting days on July 18, 2023.
He was axed by Emmanuel Emeruwa, the speaker of the eighth assembly, for alleged “gross uncivilised attitude” and granting press interviews without clearance.
Mr Akpulonu, who expressed gratitude to God and his constituents for their support since his sojourn in politics started in 2003, said that he was done with the House of Assembly contest.
“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. So, for now, I am done. I cannot contest the House of Assembly again, and even if it is given to me for free, I’m done.
“I just decided that I should pause at this local level, and maybe think higher. But for now, we’ve not made our ambition, because we are still monitoring the political terrain, so as to know where to pitch our tent, and how we are going to do it,” Mr Akpulonu.
Mr Akpulonu, a lawyer and PDP stalwart, pledged his loyalty to the party amid its internal crises, saying, “No party is peaceful. I think what is happening in PDP is an internal party affair. I have no camp and any group that wins in the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court, I’m there.”
During the empowerment programme, Mr Akpulonu gave out gift items worth millions of naira, including motorcycles, sewing machines, generators, clippers, hair dryers, and bags of rice, to appreciate his constituents.
“There are certain persons who have not benefited anything from me since I came into politics, but today I decided to touch some of them. I know it’s not easy to touch everybody, but the few persons who have benefited today have made me so happy.
“Secondly, this is a festive period, and as our custom, at least, we share certain things to our people, so that they can enjoy their Christmas,” he said.

(NAN)