Constituents of Ondo East and West Federal Constituency Demand Accountability from Absentee Senator
Concerns have been raised in Ondo East and West Federal Constituency about the prolonged absence of their representative, Senator Abiola Makinde, from Senate plenary sessions. The constituents are now calling for transparency and accountability from their representative, citing his prolonged absence from Senate duties.
A group, under the aegis of Ekimogun Roundtable, has taken the initiative to seek information on Makinde’s attendance record during the 10th Assembly. The group, led by Acting Secretary Christiana Ayodele, is demanding to know why Makinde has been absent from plenary sessions for several weeks, effectively rendering the constituency without representation.
In a letter to the Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly, Ayodele emphasized the importance of lawmakers upholding their responsibilities and obligations to their constituents. She pledged that Ekimogun Roundtable will continue to hold public officials accountable and ensure that they remain transparent in their duties as representatives of the people.
However, the group is also threatening legal action against the National Assembly if its request for information is not met in accordance with extant regulations.
In response to the group’s demand, one of Senator Makinde’s aides described the group as “faceless,” implying that the group is not a recognized representative of the constituents. The aide declined to comment further on the matter, saying that the senator would not dignify the group with a response.
This development comes as a wake-up call to lawmakers in Nigeria’s National Assembly to prioritize their duties and maintain open communication with their constituents. With constituents increasingly demanding accountability, senators like Makinde must understand that their prolonged absence from duties has significant consequences for the people they are supposed to represent.
