In an audio clip that has gone viral, a constituent in a conversation with Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa of Bauchi North has tabled two important personal demands. He first seek for prayers and goodwill from the senator on his upcoming marriage, after which he pleaded with the distinguished to secure a job for him. Without munching words the senator outrightly turned down all the requests and insisted that those were not his core responsibilities.
The distinguished may be right. Because, according to 1999 Constitution as amended, the primary functions of the legislature is to make laws and execute some oversight to ensure that acts of the national assembly are well implemented. Notwithstanding,
The oversight is certainly the continuing reviewing by the legislature of how effectively the executive branch is carrying out the legislative mandate.
Nigeria has come back to democracy in 1999, when President Olusegun Obasanjo helmed the affairs of this country for a good, uninterrupted eight years. At that time, we knew nothing about constituency projects; the federal lawmakers complained that the electorate had mistaken their responsibility for that of the executive arm of government. To build infrastructure, like boreholes, culverts, roadway pavement, empowerment, etc. Out of share of concern to those in the legislature, the federal government introduced constituency projects, where provisions were made in the budget to the aforementioned, to ease the suffering of the people and attend to their immediate needs, which, sadly, some of the lawmakers are conniving with MDA’s to shortchange the system for their selfish interests.
It is the legislature’s role to fight for equal distribution if particular regions are underserved.
Assuming the federal character commission is doing its job, a constituent has no business approaching his legislator for an appointment as long as the constituent meets the minimum qualifications for employment.
What if those people were taken advantage of?
Where would they turn for help?
Who will fight for their legal rights?
Yes, I agreed, your representative has no business offering you prayer or talking when you’re getting married. Besides, the constituency offices are there to listen to your suggestions and observations when the need arises. Perhaps, do all representatives have offices to listen to pertinent issues, whether direct or written?
However, if a constituency is denied what is rightfully theirs, it is the legislature’s responsibility to ensure that their rights, including appointment, are not violated.
Besides, it’s unethical to record someone without their knowledge; in fact, it’s a breach of trust. When such events occur, many people’s reputations suffer.In the same vein, our representatives should be as gracious as our leaders, whom we admire.What impression are we leaving behind for upcoming politicians? Certainly, there’s life after the election.
I therefore, implore our representatives in all facet to treat their subjects with kindness.
Tijjani writes from Azare, Bauchi State.
