Over the past few months, I have been inundated with media reports on the gesture of love, goodwill and generosity extended to constituents by their able representatives of the lower and upper chambers of the National Assembly.
In fact, further findings reveal that such gestures have become routine rituals in many constituencies with their representatives always reciprocating the love, support and commitment displayed by the constituents during and after elections.
In the Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, for instance, Hon. Benjamin Ikani Okolo, is reported to have donated cash, food items and other support materials to widows, the less privileged and other party faithfuls.
The story is the same in the Ankpa/Omala/Olamboro federal constituency of the state where Hon Omale Hassan is reported to have extended a similar gesture to her constituents. In these constituencies, widows and other less privileged class are given a sense of belonging and can be seen expressing their feeling of exhilarating joy and satisfaction.
In this euphoria, I coasted home to my own constituency, Ofu/Idah/Ibaji/Igalamela-Odolu Federal Constituency. Is the atmosphere the same here? No, the people appear to be happy though not necessarily because of any democratic dividend or gesture of love from their representative.
There is a feeling of neglect and dejection by their Federal Representative. There is no effort whatsoever on the part of Hon. Hon. Emmanuel Egwu to deliver democratic dividends, quality and effective representation to his people.
The fact that the said Honourable Member (with the greatest respect to his person) is inept and ineffective cannot be exaggerated. I shudder in disbelief and disappointment!
In thinking aloud, I dare to ask the following questions: Where is Hon. Emmanuel Egwu? Is he dead or alive? If not, how come his presence is not felt? When last did he visit home to interface with and know the problems of his constituents?
Since his over two years inglorious sojourn in the Federal House, how many of his constituents has he empowered? Which constituency project(s) has he executed? Where and how does he spend his constituency allowances?
Are there no widows and less privileged people in the Ofu/Idah/Ibaji/Igalamela-Odolu Federal Constituency who could be shown love and care by Hon. Emmanuel Egwu? Or is it out of place for serving Hon. Emmanuel Egwu to put smiles on the faces of his people, especially the less privileged and widows?
While one awaits answers to the above questions, there is no doubt that the time is long overdue for the good people of Ofu/Idah/Ibaji/Igalamela Federal Constituency to urgently arise and hold their representative accountable. Leadership remains a trust and indeed the people deserve quality and effective representation.
The Honourable Member representing the Ofu/Idah/Ibaji/Igalamela Federal Constituency must rightly be called to order and also reminded that his constituents ultimately reserve the right to recall an incompetent, inept and ineffective representative. That it has never been done doesn’t mean it cannot be done. A stitch in time saves nine!
– Comrade Peter Nelson Ugbedeojo
