Elected representatives of the people in Nigeria have been counselled on the need to establish a clearly defined methodology for inclusively connecting with the people.
The director, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti Justice Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI), Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade said collective efforts between the people and their representatives will always ensure and achieve responsive and responsible governance.
He spoke in Ado Ekiti during the public presentation of the Citizens’ Watch report by JDPI, in collaboration with the Ekiti state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on the performance of National Assembly members representing Ekiti Central of Ekiti State.
The report is on the Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the House of Representatives, Hon. Biodun Omoleye, representing Ijero/Ekiti West/Efon Federal Constituency II, and Hon. Olusola Fatoba, representing Ado/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency.
Fr. Akingbade said, “The system of democracy we practice in Nigeria is ‘Participation Through Representation’.
“This practice requires back and forth at all times; otherwise, a representative might just be representing himself and his cronies while he thinks he is representing the people”.
The JDPI boss also advised that the nominated projects for a constituency must align with the people’s needs, and the electorate should continue to ask their representatives questions.
The federal lawmakers were assessed based on their accessibility to their constituents, engagement, and the constituents’ awareness of federal government-sponsored projects in their area.
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