A member of the House of Representatives representing the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Obika Chinedu, has called for the removal of constituency projects from the responsibilities of lawmakers.
Hon. Chinedu said the inclusion of constituency projects in legislative duties has diverted the attention of lawmakers from their core mandate of making laws and providing oversight.
He made this known while speaking on national issues, describing the concept as one of the biggest problems facing the National Assembly.
According to him, “the greatest harm that has been done to the legislative arm of government is this particular thing called constituency project. I hate it.”
He stressed that the only way Nigeria can “recover the country is by taking off the constituency project from legislators.”
Chinedu, who represents the Labour Party, said community projects should not be the business of lawmakers, adding that their role should be to monitor and supervise the agencies responsible for such developments. “Legislators have been turned into executives,” he lamented.
The lawmaker noted that the system has made citizens hold legislators accountable for what should be the duties of the executive arm.
“People that come to our houses don’t actually bring what we should be working on; rather, they will be telling us what they should be telling the executive,” he said.
He explained that this misunderstanding has made some legislators avoid their constituents due to the high expectations and numerous demands that are beyond their control.
Speaking on the 2025 FCT budget, Chinedu revealed that over N1.8 trillion was approved this year for capital and infrastructural development in Abuja.
He said the provision was one of the highest ever, adding that such funds should be properly managed to deliver real results for residents.
“We are not supposed to be going here and there doing this. That has rubbished legislation,” he added.
On the recent wave of defections among politicians, the FCT lawmaker reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party, insisting he remains committed to the party’s ideals. “I am a Labour Party man and I remain in the party until our leader says otherwise,” he said.
He, however, stated that other lawmakers who defected to the ruling party did so out of personal choice, noting that Nigeria’s multi-party system gives everyone the right to political freedom.