The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, has pushed back against growing perceptions that the legislature is operating under the thumb of the executive arm of government, insisting that the two arms of government maintain a deliberate and productive working relationship aimed at delivering good governance to the people of the state.

Emeruwa made the clarification on Tuesday in Umuahia during events marking the third anniversary of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly.

He acknowledged that the legislature and the executive under Governor Alex Otti have maintained a harmonious relationship but was emphatic that cordiality should not be mistaken for subservience.

“We maintained a cordial relationship with the government because, if there is any rift, the state will suffer. The relationship between the House and the Executive has been very cordial and harmonious, and we intend to keep it that way. We try to maintain that and resolve issues amicably,” he said. “I disagree with the idea that the Executive has pocketed the State Assembly. We can disagree, and at the end, the matter is settled in a peaceful manner.”

Reflecting on the legislative achievements of the 8th Assembly, Emeruwa said the House had passed a broad range of bills spanning welfare, criminal justice, politics, and appropriation, covering virtually every aspect of human life in the state. He noted that the sheer volume of legislation passed could even justify a pause to focus on implementation rather than the introduction of new bills.

The Speaker also disclosed plans to digitise the operations of the House, though he acknowledged that funding constraints remained a significant obstacle to achieving that goal. On constituency projects, he said lawmakers had executed developmental projects across the state while maintaining that legislation remains the Assembly’s primary mandate.

Emeruwa also expressed satisfaction that Labour Party’s representation in the House had grown, with the party’s lawmakers increasing from nine to 11 members since the Assembly’s inauguration.

The Speaker further addressed the killing of nursing student Wendy Achumba in neighbouring Imo State, disclosing that members of the Assembly had visited the victim’s family. He expressed confidence that the arrest of suspects would lead to justice being served.

Despite the House’s legislative strides, Emeruwa was candid about the Assembly’s limitations, acknowledging that not all set targets had been met during the three-year period.