In recent days, I came across a shallow piece of writing on social media; one that I could hardly believe came from a supposedly progressive party. What struck me most was the insinuation that governors’ appointees should desist from calling National Assembly members to accountability. This, they argued, only fuels internal rancour. But let it be known: no amount of “peace talk” or appeasement can silence the demand for justice.
Before appointments, every member of our great party made sacrifices. These sacrifices were not for personal aggrandizement, but for the people whose mandate they carry. To now attempt to mute critics, who are simply asking elected officers to live up to their responsibilities, is an insult to the masses who stood in the rain and sun to vote.
How can elected officers be so deaf to the cries of their constituents, yet shamelessly clamour for second, third, and even fourth terms? Representation is not an autocracy . It is a sacred mandate entrusted by the people, and any attempt to perpetuate oneself in office without tangible results in infrastructure, development, and public goods is nothing short of betrayal.
We hear that under President Tinubu, each National Assembly member receives about one billion naira for constituency development. Let us break this down in the simplest terms:
If just 66 council wards receive cars at ₦8 million each, that amounts to ₦528 million.
Add 66 motorcycles at ₦1 million each, that’s another ₦66 million.
Provide sewing machines worth ₦100,000 to 200 constituents, that is ₦20 million.
Support 100 small business owners with ₦200,000 each, that is another ₦20 million.
Offer scholarships to 600 undergraduates at ₦100,000 each, that is ₦60 million.
In total, these initiatives amount to roughly ₦750 million—still leaving enough change to provide street lights, attend burials, weddings and naming ceremonies for four years and see the multiplier effect this will have in a constituency. Yet, how many of our National Assembly members have demonstrated even this level of basic accountability? Only a few. The rest have hidden under the cloak of power while their communities wallow in neglect.
Just last week, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, who does not receive such humongous allocations; embarked on mass empowerment for his people. Yet, these same federal legislators who swim in billions complain and insult our sensibilities with their excuses. Many of them shamelessly hide under federal government projects just to take glory. Imagine a man telling us he “facilitated N-Power for constituents” or “facilitated police jobs.” What manner of cheap propaganda is this? Since when did federal government initiatives become personal achievements? What have you done with the billions collected in your name? How many people in your entire political career can boldly point to your achievements outside the penny-penny handouts you throw around? Our mumu don do.
Is this what a progressive party stands for; protecting non-performers and gagging those who dare to speak truth? No! Progressivism is about accountability, fairness, and justice. Any National Assembly member who complains to the party hierarchy that “governors’ appointees are attacking them” is nothing but a failure, undeserving of the mandate they were given. Such leaders deserve not defence but stones thrown at them by the very people they have failed.
Instead of roads, we see dilapidated markets.Ask them what they have done to fix the same roads they travel with to their villages? Nothing. Instead of empowerment, we see hired cultists and thugs used to intimidate critics. Instead of leadership, we see manipulation of hungry youths to write senseless defenses of non-performance. But no amount of intimidation or propaganda can silence the truth: if these leaders had provided cars, motorcycles, sewing machines, and scholarships, supporters would have benefitted—and there would be no controversy because somebody’s life have been impacted
Let it be clear: the opposition is quiet only because they are watching, knowing that non-performance is their greatest campaign weapon. Already, ADC and others are warming up, waiting for tickets to be handed again to those who failed their people. If the ruling party insists on silencing critics and rewarding failure, *then the axe is already at the root of the tree* , ready to cut down every fruitless representative and make way for true leadership.
The leadership of the APC in Cross River State must uphold internal democracy. We cannot allow the party to emasculate us into silence. We will continue to speak for what is moral, just, and right for our people. APC! Progress—or Problem? Let the coubt down begin
Ofem, Usani Joseph Ph.D
A dresser of sycamore truth
