Following the denial of Anambra State House of Assembly members of new official cars three months after their inauguration, the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Bernard Udemezue, was seen using tricycle (Keke) to come to work, but was stopped by security operatives.
All efforts by Udemezue and those who identified him as a lawmaker proved abortive, as security personnel on duty refused him entry into the Assembly complex, creating uproar.
It was learnt that Udemezue is the most popular grassroots politician who defeated the former Speaker, Uche Okafor, in the 2023 general election.
In a viral video, which The Guardian monitored, Udemezue was seen protesting his stoppage by security operatives at the gate, saying: “Have you given me a car? I’m using what I have.”
Reacting to the development, a respondent, who chose to remain anonymous said: “Our society appears to be against humble public office holders, who are willing to keep their lifestyles low and join in the burden of common people in the face of mounting economic challenges.
“People are frequently the ones who compel politicians and public officials to live noisy and costly lifestyles.
“Recently, Udemezue was stopped at the entry gate of the House of Assembly complex by security guards who didn’t recognise him as a legislator because he was not riding an exotic car. He was stopped because he is not allowed to enter the complex with Keke.
“Udemezue has kept a modest profile and avoided a boisterous lifestyle since his early days, even before becoming a legislator.
“Since the state government was yet to make available their official cars, he opted to use a tricycle to work.
Guardian