Ondo East/West Constituency Initiates Recall Process Against Underperforming Representative

Abiola Makinde, the representative of Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is facing a recall process from his constituents over alleged non-performance. The constituents, under the auspices of the Ekimogun Roundtable, have launched a campaign to have Makinde removed from office due to his reported abandonment of legislative duties for several months and relocation abroad.

According to a statement released by the Ekimogun Roundtable, the group alleges that Makinde’s National Assembly office has been under lock and key since his departure, leaving the constituency without representation in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. The statement also claims that there is a significant disparity between the constituency funds/projects allotted and actual physical projects executed, raising concerns about the integrity of those involved in the constituency projects procurement process.

The Roundtable has written to the National Assembly requesting Makinde’s plenary attendance record to determine his compliance with the Nigerian Constitution and the House of Representatives Standing Rules on plenary attendance. Despite efforts to contact the embattled federal lawmaker, all calls made to his line went unanswered, and a text message sent to him received no response.

In a massive show of solidarity, over 30 legal practitioners across the country have indicated interest in offering free legal services to challenge Makinde’s actions and ensure that the legislative accountability project embarked upon by the Ekimogun Roundtable succeeds. The Ondo East/West Federal Constituency has never had such a poor legislative performance since the advent of democracy, with critical national issues like the national budget and National Anthem Act being discussed in the chamber without the input of the good people of the constituency.

The recall process is the latest development in a long line of controversies surrounding Makinde’s performance as a representative. As the constituents demand accountability and better representation, the outcome of this process will have significant implications for the future of democracy in Ondo State.