₦airaland Forum

Member of the House of Representatives representing the Bwari/AMAC Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Obika Chinedu, has called for the burden of constituency projects to be taken off lawmakers.


In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Hon. Chinedu, who spoke on a series of pressing issues bedeviling the nation, raised concerns over lawmakers’ alleged deviation from their primary legislative duties to the pursuance of community projects.

According to the Labour Party lawmaker, “the greatest harm that has been done to the legislative arm of government is this particular thing called constituency project. I hate it.”


Hon. Chinedu insisted that the only way Nigerians can “recover the country is by taking off the constituency project from legislators.”

He asserted that community projects are “not our business; we should only go out to supervise those whose job it is. Legislators have been turned into executives.”


“Everywhere we go, we keep receiving demands from people about one project or the other. People are no longer interested in lawmaking or things that should be put into the Constitution to better the lives of the people.

“Everybody is dragging how he can attract a road here or light there. The road is meant for everybody to have. No constituency is more than the other.

“Some of our colleagues who found themselves in leadership positions have more reach to do things. You will see a legislator that is dedicated, but because he doesn’t have that reach, he won’t be able to attract projects to his constituency, probably because he is from the opposition.


“People will look at him and say, ‘you have failed.’ No, it is not true. This has harmed us. That is why people who have no business with the National Assembly are there. If you go there and you are able to get a good committee that attracts a project, that is all.

“Lawmakers are no longer talking about legislation; we can no longer debate issues. Everybody is running to put satellites and boreholes, and the country is wasting away,” he said.

People now hold legislators responsible for what executives should do, Hon. Chinedu claims


Substantiating his position on why the community projects should be scrapped, the lawmaker claimed that Nigerians now mistake legislators for the executives.

“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.

“Instead of them being mad at those in the executive for not doing what should have been done, when they see a legislator whose work is mainly legislation, they bring it forward.

“That is why you see that some of the legislators run away from their people because of numerous demands that cannot be met. Most times, the communities don’t understand it,” he said.

FCT has enough budget provisions to fund infrastructure, Lawmaker

Hon. Chinedu also revealed that N1.8 trillion was approved by the Green Chamber this year for infrastructural projects in the nation’s capital.

According to him, “FCT has never had the kind of budget provisions that it has this time, above N1.8 trillion, and as lawmakers, we supported it and passed the law so that we can have accelerated development.

“We are not supposed to be going here and there doing this. That has rubbished legislation.”

I remain in Labour Party, Rep Chinedu

Speaking on the recent wave of defections of governors and other top opposition figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Chinedu said it is their choice, stating that “that is why we have a multiparty system.”

He, however, said though several opposition lawmakers have defected to the ruling party, he remains a member of the LP.

“I am a Labour Party man and I remain in the party until our leader says otherwise.

“For those that are defecting, it is their choice to do so. If you think where you are is not good for you, you have the choice to leave. That is why we have a multiparty system in Nigeria,” he said.

Security situation in FCT

On the activities of bandits and other criminal elements causing chaos in the territory, the lawmaker said the “security men are trying their best.”

He, however, noted that the establishment of the FCT Independent Police Force would go a long way in tackling the deteriorating security issues.

According to him, people complain of insecurity in the capital city because what they “see is what happens at a particular time; they don’t see and they don’t know what was prevented.”

“You don’t know most of the things that I know within the government circle, and I’m not going to let you know it.

“The security men are trying their best based on the availability of what has been provided. That’s why I am preaching for the establishment of the FCT Independent Police Force so that we can use a percentage of our revenue to invest in security and secure Abuja,” he added.

ariesbull:
Is WIKE A mayor of Asian city?
Is Nigeria under Pacific region
Do we have Pacific Ocean ?


So what is Wike doing there ?

‘Crime is not genius’: APC reacts to Obi’s Yahoo boys’ genius comments

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his comment describing internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, as “geniuses” who need redirection.

In a statement issued Sunday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC described Obi’s remark as “morally reprehensible”.

Oladejo said it was disappointing and dangerous for someone who once aspired to lead Nigeria to make statements that appear to trivialise criminal behaviour in a country struggling to restore its moral values.

“There’s nothing genius about crime. Yahoo Yahoo is a social tragedy, not a talent.
“We are genuinely worried about Mr. Obi’s state of mind – one that glorifies fraudulent practices while condemning corruption and dishonesty in the same breath. Such contradiction exposes a profound moral confusion that has no place in leadership.”

He accused the former Anambra State governor of desperation for political relevance, saying Obi’s so-called compassion for fraudsters was misplaced.

“His desperation for attention has replaced reasoned leadership with reckless speech. There should be a limit to unbridled desperation,” the APC spokesman added.

Oladejo said Obi owed Nigerian youths an apology for misleading them during the 2023 elections “through propaganda, misinformation, and emotional manipulation,” urging him to stop making statements that undermine moral discipline among young people.

“He exploited their hopes, fed their frustrations, and built a campaign on deceit and social media hysteria. The least he can do now is to retain some modicum of respect by refraining from further embarrassing statements that insult the intelligence of the same young people he deceived.
“True leadership demands responsibility, not recklessness; moral strength, not moral confusion,” he stated.

While insisting that the APC supports youth empowerment and innovation, the party rejected any attempt to romanticise or excuse cybercrime.

“Internet fraud is not genius; it is theft, deceit, and moral failure.

“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigerian youths are being equipped with real opportunities through initiatives such as the 3MTT (Three Million Technical Talent Programme), NELFUND, and digital innovation programmes that provide legitimate avenues for success,” Oladejo said.

The APC emphasised that leadership must be grounded in values and integrity, not populism or social media appeal.

“Leadership is about values, not vibes; about integrity, not impulsiveness. Mr. Obi’s latest outburst is a tragic reminder that populism without principle is a danger to democracy,” the statement read.

Obi had, on Saturday, while addressing a youth conference in Onitsha themed “Money Beyond Wealth,” stated that some Yahoo boys possessed creativity and intelligence that could be redirected towards productive enterprise if properly guided.
He noted that reckless pursuit of money can destroy both character and community, stressing that money is just a fraction of true wealth.

“I reminded our young people that while money is important, it is only a fragment of true wealth, which rests on integrity, character, and purpose. Real wealth uplifts both the individual and society, promotes education, reduces poverty, and creates opportunities for others to live dignified lives.

“I told the youths that some of our so-called Yahoo boys are geniuses who need redirection, not condemnation. Their creativity and courage, if properly guided, can drive innovation and national development. Our challenge is to channel their energy from deception to productive enterprise.

“I also stressed that the reckless pursuit of money destroys both character and community. Leadership must lead by example, for a nation that rewards dishonesty cannot build integrity.
“I urged our youths to rediscover the dignity of labour and embrace hard work and innovation. Nations are built not by miracles but by men and women who think, work, and build,” Obi said in a statement.

DIVINEEVIDENCE:
I've been hearing about the hatred of the average Yoruba man for the Igbo, but it has never ever made any sense.

I just don't understand the sort of indoctrination and parochialism that would lead a sane human being to cancel out an entire tribe of people who are not in the least bothered by his existence.

National Orientation Agency should work on the Yoruba masses.
This is pathetic, to say the least.

hatchy:
I doubt if he is truly a Nigerian. Sokoto have common boundaries with Niger Republic and I believe this man to be a foreigner from Niger, not Nigeria.

This is UNNIGERIAN.

Atiku left the group chat.

yarimo:
Abians are tired with Alex otti leadership completely

simpleseyi:
If they behave, we will give them, if they don’t, Tinubu will not sign it

mrkings84:
Which one be Menas again, even OP is typing in hurry just to be first to comment...

IJAYA001:
This is another big lie from Agulu media, if you like send your Agulu Lamba to represent us in China.

Lithiumite:
Banned by Sahara reporters and you believed that fake news from sowore.....and you people expect us to believe you are in the right frame of mind to come tell us to vote obi in 27.....when you cannot even decipher simple,pure and obvious propaganda.

Guestmale:
It's exactly the answer to what you have posted, about what Tinubu has said in the past. By sacking some service chiefs,he has done what he expected a president ought to have done

Guestmale:
According to what you have posted that is the exactly what president Tinubu has done by rejuvenate the security apparatus.

“Service chiefs can be hired and fired by the President. He is the Commander-in-Chief. He has the power to hire and fire,” Onanuga said

femi4:
Shame on dem accountants n economist that saw naira slipped into coma...they are the illiterates

yarimo:
WE? Speak for yourself next time

Okonsbecky:
I never said so, The current 1999 Constitution: This constitution was drafted and amended by a committee of 25 experts, but The 1999 constitution built on previous constitutions, including those of 1960, 1963, 1979, and 1989, as well as military decrees.