WIG is an artificial hair worn on the head by Judges and some other lawyers in the courts of law. The Wig is one of the symbols differentiating the Judges and lawyers from other professionals. It is not only a mark of honour but also accord respect amongst equals.
WIG is also used by senior parliamentarians such as leaders of Local Government Legislative Assembly, Speakers of States Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives as well as President of Senate.
Though Wig is exclusively the right of those classes mentioned above and meant to decorate them, it does not fit in for all. It is not probably because of their shapes of head, seizes or height, rather level of assimilation, maturity in handling legislative issues, meeting up the expected requisites for the exalted position and others.
There are levels of politicking before attaining or earning such privileged positions that would enhance the wearing of the wig in parliament.
Wearing the wig does not require specific educational qualification or criteria other than such that qualifies one into the parliament, but certain political arrangements had to be fulfilled or considered before such an exalted office is guaranteed. Hence the one that is most favoured by such arrangement becomes the one that is fit to wear the wig.
However, members of parliament are constitutionally required or empowered to elect amongst themselves officers and leaders of such parliament at the beginning of sitting, call it inauguration mostly on the very first day in the chambers.
At this juncture there is always high level of politicking among members especially among the ruling party. But to douse tension and apprehension among parliamentarians on who become leaders, the ruling party always in conjunction with the governor of state harmoniously and understandably proposes the positions with regards to party structures, thereby ensures peace, unity and progress.
Rivers State house of Assembly is not an exception to these rules. And without much ado about the position of the speaker for the incoming eight ( 8 ) Assembly that would be inaugurated within the first week of June, 2015 any politician should by now be acquainted with the rules and how its leadership would run.
The 6th Assembly as well as the outgoing 7th Assembly had its leadership drawn from the Kalabari LGA which is in the Rivers West Senatorial District. It is also in the riverine dichotomy of the state.
The outgoing governor is from the Rivers East and in the upland dichotomy, even as the deputy governor hails from the riverine and south-East Senatorial district.
Today, in almost a similar chain the governor-elect emerges from the Rivers- East Senatorial district or call it from the upland dichotomy of the state while his deputy is from the riverine and Rivers –West senatorial district.
In the spirit of fair play, equity and justice, the speaker of the Rivers State legislative Assembly should emerge from the Rivers South-East Senatorial district and off-course from the riverine dichotomy. The senatorial district comprises of Eleme, Tai, Gokhana, Khana, and Oyigbo local government Areas and all these are in the upland areas, while Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro local government areas are in the riverine areas. Therefore, the ball is expected to roll to the 18 yard box of the two sister LGA’s.
However, following the rules in the house that gives edge and privilege to seniority or old members against first timers, the member-elect representing Andoni State constituency, chief (Hon) Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani who hails from the South-East Senatorial district, riverine dichotomy and the oldest from that area in the upcoming Assembly is most qualified to hold swear of the exalted office come June.
While there is no contention over the above arrangement among members-elect for that house, who are patiently waiting for their day to come by, Chief, Hon. Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani could be described as “the man whom the wig fits”.
Ibani as fondly called is presently serving his second term and as chief whip of the house which elapses on May 29th, 2015. He is no stranger in the business of legislation and control or handling of sensitive issues arising in the house.
While Issues Abattoir salutes all the members –elect under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and off-course candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, it is worthy of note that the return of the Six (6) brilliant law makers to the Assembly is of immense importance and worth celebrating. They are Rt. Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi of Ogu/Bolo Constituency, Hon, Martins Amaewhule, Obio/ Akpor Constituency 1, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu of Omuma Constituency, Hon. Michael O.Chinda of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Victor Ihunwo of Phalga Constituency II and Hon. Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani of Andoni Constituency.
Ibani attended the State Primary School, Ataba and was later enrolled into the Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Ataba . Having completed his secondary carrier he gained admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Technology,Nkpolu Oroworokwu, Port Harcourt where he bagged the Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.
Ibani served as Secretary to Andoni Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party from 1999 to 2003 when he was elected into the Assembly. He is currently a chief in Ataba kingdom, married to Mrs. Uga Ibani and the marriage is blessed with Children.
With James Mgboineme
jamesthenewswriter@gmail.com.
