The last time I checked, each state across the Nigerian federation comprised three senatorial zones. It suffices to say that these states could at the moment boast of three senators in the Red Chamber of the country’s National Assembly (NASS).
For posterity’s sake, I wish to via this platform, candidly remind these revered senators, and of course other federal legislators, that a lot is really expected of them when it calls for societal development in their respective constituencies.
Towards ensuring the people receive what they truly deserve from the Federal Government (FG), these men of repute who were graciously elected by their various electorates are required to be at the forefront.
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Development of a certain state does not lie solely in the prowess of the sitting governor. Yes, the governor is meant to ensure that all the areas within his jurisdiction are aptly taken care of. But, it’s worth noting that there’s what is called federal presence in any existing state across the country.
These legislators are expected to lead the cause targeted towards attracting various federal presences to their various states, particularly their respective constituencies.
As representatives or mouthpieces of various constituencies, when they move any motion on the floor of the House or Senate, as the case may be, they ought to primarily consider the implications of such motion to their jurisdictions.
In other words, motions that are of good benefit to their constituencies should only be tendered. It’s even mind-boggling to realize that some of them shy away from moving motion during plenary sittings.
Similarly, a bill should not be sponsored by any of them without painstakingly considering its consequences to their people if eventually passed as well as signed into law.
For instance, when an Appropriation Bill is submitted by the Presidency, they ought to in their individual capacities evaluate each of the clauses in the bill toward ascertaining whether their states or constituencies are carried along. Needless to state that they shouldn’t just leave the work of evaluation for the House’s/Senate’s Committee on Appropriation.
It is solely their statutory duty to cross check these things, not that of the governors of their states. The governor would not be at the State’s Government House and at the same time, equally be at the NASS. This implies that the federal legislators are not unlike the eye of their states’ governors.
In Economics as a subject, the issue of Division of Labour is thoroughly and categorically explained to the comprehension of even a dummy in the classroom. Hence, we are required to, at all times, hide under such holistic teaching.
And when a bill, such as that of budgetary, is finally passed by the legislators and duly signed by the Executive Arm, it thereof becomes a law. It is also the duty of these federal lawmakers to henceforth properly monitor the day-to-day implementation of such law, in order to ensure that their respective constituencies aren’t kept in abeyance.
They must, therefore, ensure that what is due for their state is wholly granted to it as the journey progresses. This is legally regarded as part of the oversight functions of a legislator.
It is baffling to realize that some of Nigerian federal legislators, rather than doing the needful, would prefer to consider only their individual interests, thereby relegating that of their constituencies to the background.
Instead of ensuring that every project allocated to their constituencies is adequately implemented, they would prefer to siphon the funds to their private pockets even amidst the ongoing apparent anti-graft war.
I want them to take cognizance of the fact that the socio-political system of Nigeria in general, has conspicuously changed for good. Most electorates are now politically wise and not unaware of every trend, thus they must wake up from slumber where need be.
Each time I acknowledge that Constituency Briefing is now apparently a thing of the past, I am invariably left with no other option than to weep profoundly. Constituency briefing, a tool initiated to help in bringing senators and their counterparts closer to their constituents, is currently abused profusely or taken for granted.
Such lackadaisical attitude of these so-called legislators is indeed a slap in the face of their teeming constituents, thus the electorate are as well expected to wake from sleep.
Worse still, most of these lawmakers, including those at the state level, cannot presently boast of a constituency office at their respective constituencies let alone a befitting one. These ugly trend needs to be critically addressed in earnest before it gets out of hand. We must not continue to overlook issues that concern the people’s collective future.
It’s time the electorate started exercising the power given to them by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended. They ought to understand the language of ‘Vote of No-Confidence’ that has the tendency of recalling any erring legislator, be it state or federal.
If well considered, they would comprehend that the electors are more powerful than the elected. This is because they possess the power to elect as well as recall when necessary.
Toward averting some inconsequential and frivolous embarrassments that might arise in the future, I urge these respected senators and their counterparts in the Federal House of Representatives to henceforth start to acknowledge that the development of any state cannot only be actualized by the sitting governor; hence, all hands are expected to, individually or collectively, be on deck.
In view of the above assertion, the governors on their parts ought to equally endeavour to form a coalition with their federal legislators irrespective of party affiliations, solely for the sake of their states.
All in all, the people must comprehend when, how and where to air their views as the journey progresses. They can’t continue to die in silence.