I watched with dismay how the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria voted against granting local governments in Nigeria autonomy. To say I was surprised is an understatement. What did I expect, when a host of them were past governors and a lot more are wanna be governors!
My issue is, after consulting us electorates and obtaining our views on certain issues including local government autonomy (which we all assented to; if not, why was the proposal brought to the National Assembly in the first place if it did not receive enough recognition), the so called Nigerian senators voted against it. Who are they representing? Electorates or self interest?
It's a pity, most of us, Nigerians are not aware of our rights as citizens who vote and make leaders. We have the enormous power to sack every political appointee; either through our consent demonstrated by legislators (our mere representatives) on our wishes by impeaching executive appointees or recalling legislators themselves who tend to represent themselves or a section of people.
I am urging Nigerians to follow the activities of their representatives especially how they vote on issues of national interest, upon which we can demand explanations, query or recall them or don't return them at subsequent elections. At least the people of Ondo demonstrated this power by inviting their Senator to a Town Hall meeting to explain why he voted for a particular issue against their wishes. Didn't he weep? He explained, he did in error. That's what I am talking about!
Please go to the National Assembly and request for the documents that carry your representatives' voting pattern in the constitution review process and all other national issues. If their voting is contrary to the views you asked them to portray at the National Assembly. Please begin statutory process of bringing them back home! Enough is enough!!
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