By Emmanuel Onwusoro, Ado Ekiti
Wednesday July 2, 2025
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The need for lawmakers representing Ekiti Central in the National Assembly to carry their constituents along in the conception and siting of projects was part of the recommendations at the Citizens’ Watch report presented by the Justice Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti Council, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital.
This report focused on the performances of Hon. Olusola Steve Fatoba, representing Ado/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency
I, Hon. Biodun Francis Omoleye, representing Ijero/Ekiti West/Efon Federal Constituency II, and Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District comprising Ado, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ekiti West, Efon, and Ijero LGAs.
In his presentation, Rev.Father Emmanuel Akingbade of the JDPI observed that the lawmakers did not embrace the expected level of engagement with the people they represent. No awareness and accessibility of the people to the representatives. In the report, many of the constituents claimed ignorance of the projects said to have been sited in different parts of their areas by the lawmakers.
Apart from the Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele who to some extent was scored fairly, Hon. Olusola Steve Fatoba and Hon. Francis Biodun Omoleye were adjudged to have performed abysmally. This is buttressed by a groundswell of consensus from respondents.
From the positions of respondents, the claims of having constituency offices by the lawmakers are not known to them. Similarly, they claimed ignorance of the constituency projects said to have been set up by their representatives.
Father Akingbade condemned the forcing of constituency projects on the people without first seeking their preferences. He underscored that by the type of democracy operational in Nigeria, which is participatory through representation, the representatives of the people in government are expected to connect with the people.
It was unanimously recommended that:
-Every representative of a people needs to put a clearly defined methodology in place as regards how he connects with the people he represents inclusively;
-That nominated projects for a constituency must align with the needs of the people of the constituency is more than stating the obvious;
-Our collective efforts can achieve responsive and responsible governance, electorate should continue to ask their representatives questions.
Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, said the program was aimed at keeping the people abreast of government policies and programs.
He stressed that such an assessment will ensure that the lawmakers are put on their toes and, by extension, head off the attitude of taking the people for granted.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Adeyinka Aribasoye, appreciated the JDPI and NUJ for organizing the event. He pointed out that it is important to hold our leaders and representatives accountable.
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