Lawmaker Says Legislators Shouldn’t Be Involved in Community Projects

Obika Chinedu, a member of the House of Representatives who represents the Bwari/AMAC Federal Constituency, has demanded that constituency projects be abandoned, citing them as a significant diversion from the legislators’ constitutional obligations.

The member of the Labour Party bemoaned the fact that lawmakers have been compelled to assume executive responsibilities at the expense of oversight and legislation.

The constituency project is the most significant damage done to the legislative branch of government. Chinedu recently spoke with Daily Post, saying, “I detest it.”

Chinedu asserts that legislators were chosen to enact legislation rather than carry out initiatives.

“We don’t deal with community projects. The only people we should go out to oversee are those whose job it is. “Lawmakers have become executives,” he continued.

The congressman criticized the public’s misperception of legislators’ roles, claiming that many Nigerians now hold National Assembly members accountable for duties that are beyond the purview of the executive branch of government.

“Those who visit our homes tell us what they should be telling the executive, not what we should be working on,” Chinedu stated.

“They shift their anger to legislators, whose primary responsibility is to enact laws, rather than to those in the executive branch for failing to take appropriate action.”

He said that because of this misconception, lawmakers are under excessive pressure and that some of them “run away from their people” in order to escape constant expectations that they are unable to fulfill.

This explains why some lawmakers flee from their constituents due to multiple unfulfilled expectations. The communities typically don’t comprehend it,” he said.

Chinedu claims that instead of passing laws, lawmakers now pursue roads and boreholes.
Chinedu lamented that MPs now prioritize physical improvements over legislation as a result of constituency initiatives.

Everywhere we go, people constantly asking us about various projects. Legislation and constitutional amendments that might improve people’s lives are no longer of interest to them, he claimed.

He also denounced the politicization of local initiatives, pointing out that lawmakers who lack access to powerful committees or ties to the ruling party are frequently wrongly viewed by their constituents as failures.

He stated, “Some of our colleagues who found themselves in leadership positions have more reach to do things.”

“You’ll see a committed legislator, but he won’t be able to bring projects to his constituency because he doesn’t have that reach, probably because he is from the opposition.”

The congressman from the Labour Party also revealed that this year’s budgetary support for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was unprecedented, with almost ₦1.8 trillion set aside for infrastructure.

He stated, “FCT has never had budget provisions like this one, above ₦1.8 trillion.” “We passed the law and supported it in order to stimulate development. We shouldn’t be traveling around doing this. That has undermined the law.

I’m Still a Labour Party Member

Chinedu insisted that he is still a devoted member of the Labour Party in response to the recent surge of opposition MPs defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Until our leader tells me otherwise, I am a Labour Party man and I will stay in the party,” he declared.

“Those who are defecting do so voluntarily. You have the option to leave if you believe that your current situation is unsuitable for you. This is the reason Nigeria has a multiparty system.

While acknowledging that security personnel are “trying their best,” the congressman stated that the creation of an FCT Independent Police Force will significantly increase local safety in light of the mounting security issues in the capital territory.

He stated, “People complain about insecurity in the capital city because what they see is what happens at a specific time; they don’t see what was prevented.”

“For this reason, I’m advocating for the creation of the FCT Independent Police Force so that we can use a portion of our income to fund security and safeguard Abuja.”

He emphasized that many security concerns are being discreetly avoided because of security services’ efforts, despite public perception.

“Most of what I know about the government circle is unknown to you, and I won’t tell you.” Based on the resources available, the security personnel are making every effort,” he continued.