Lawmakers No Longer Interested in Legislation — FCT Rep Obika Chinedu Calls for Scrapping of Constituency Projects
Member of the House of Representatives representing the Bwari/AMAC Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Obika Chinedu, has expressed deep frustration over what he described as the misplaced burden of constituency projects on lawmakers, calling for the responsibility to be completely taken off the legislature.
In an exclusive interaction obtained by PulseNets, Hon. Chinedu lamented that the culture of assigning constituency projects to legislators has distracted the National Assembly from its core duty of lawmaking.
According to the Labour Party lawmaker, “The biggest damage ever done to Nigeria’s legislative arm is this so-called constituency project — I detest it.”
Hon. Chinedu told PulseNets that Nigeria’s recovery depends largely on removing constituency projects from the legislative structure. He stressed that “community projects are not our business; our job is to supervise those whose mandate it is. But today, legislators have been turned into mini-executives.”
He further revealed that lawmakers now face mounting demands from citizens seeking roads, electricity, and water projects — responsibilities that rightly belong to the executive arm. “Everywhere we go, people ask for one project or another. Nobody talks about laws anymore, or about constitutional reforms that can improve people’s lives,” he noted.
Hon. Chinedu argued that competition among lawmakers to “attract” projects has weakened the institution. “Some of our colleagues who hold leadership positions have more access and influence to get things done. Meanwhile, others who are hardworking but not in such privileged positions are judged as failures, especially if they belong to the opposition. This is unfair and dangerous for democracy.”
He added that the obsession with projects has made the National Assembly lose its legislative essence. “Lawmakers no longer focus on debates or policies. Everyone is chasing boreholes and solar lights while the country keeps sinking deeper,” he told PulseNets.
Nigerians Mistake Legislators for Executives, Chinedu Laments
Explaining further why constituency projects should be scrapped, the lawmaker stated that Nigerians now confuse lawmakers with the executive arm.
“When people visit us, they don’t bring up legislative matters. Instead, they come with demands that should be directed to the executive. When the executive fails, they take their anger out on legislators who have no power to implement,” he said.
According to him, the constant pressure from constituents has forced many lawmakers to avoid public interactions. “That’s why some legislators run away from their people — because the demands are endless and impossible to meet. Sadly, most communities don’t understand the difference,” he told PulseNets.
FCT Has Record Budget for Infrastructure — Chinedu
Speaking on infrastructural development in the FCT, Hon. Chinedu disclosed that the Green Chamber has approved ₦1.8 trillion for capital projects in Abuja this year — the largest in its history.
“FCT has never had such massive budgetary provision before — over ₦1.8 trillion. We supported it and passed it because we want rapid development. That’s what lawmakers should be doing, not chasing projects all over the place,” he said.
He added that the over-politicization of constituency projects has “rubbished the true essence of legislation.”
I Remain in Labour Party, Says Chinedu
When asked about the wave of defections by opposition figures to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Chinedu maintained that political realignment is a personal choice in a democratic system.
“We operate a multiparty system; people have the right to decide where they belong. I remain in the Labour Party until our leader says otherwise,” he told PulseNets.
He also dismissed speculation about his possible defection, stressing that loyalty and ideology should guide politics. “If someone believes their current platform no longer serves them, they can leave. But for me, I’m firmly Labour,” he said confidently.
Security Situation in FCT: ‘Security Men Are Trying Their Best’
On the rising insecurity in Abuja, the legislator acknowledged ongoing security challenges but insisted that the security agencies are making genuine efforts.
“People see what happens at a particular moment but not what was prevented behind the scenes,” he explained.
Also Read: Protest rocks Abuja over mass demolitions by FCT Minister Wike
He called for the creation of an FCT Independent Police Force, arguing that the move would help strengthen the city’s security architecture.
“We can use part of our internally generated revenue to fund security in Abuja. The officers are doing their best within the limits of available resources, but an independent force would make a significant difference,” Chinedu told PulseNets.
