From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has called on three senators, 11 members of the House of Representatives and 30 members of the House of Assembly in Anambra State to urgently convene expanded town hall meetings to properly brief their constituents on how much they collected as constituency projects funds.
The group also charge them to disclose how the constituency monies were utilised as well as employment opportunities and developmental projects they attracted as efforts made and still making towards tackling youths employment, restiveness, insecurity and carrying people along including numbers of their legislative aides.
The Anambra State branch Chairman of CLO Mr Vincent Ekwueme in a press release, tagged “voters are Kings and masters” said that voters are now versatile and more informed that politicians can no longer deceive and mislead them through provisions of emergency empowerment and poverty alleviation programmes prior to every periodic election, but only to disappear after the election, only to reappear during next election.
“Anambrarians and Nigerians are desirous of overarching benevolent, competent, capable, selfless, patriotic servants leaders who always think about the next generation, not the next election.
“Fortunately 2023 general election has provided a unique platform for effective positive change through voting in God-fearing servant leaders, voting out corrupt, inept politicians bereft of ideas and innovations.
“Docile followers precipitate docile followers, hence the inevitable and ineluctable need for citizens to be the watchdog of those in authority by asking questions where and when necessary how public funds are spent for public good, interest and welfare.
“CLO reiterates its earlier appeal to political leaders that constituency projects funds are not meant only to recompensate overzealous supporters but for the development of the entire constituencies and human capital development.
“Those seeking reelection should disclose the money they collected on behalf of the people and how it was spent and actual beneficiaries of empowerment programs and a number of skill acquisition centres built as well as efforts for curbing youth restiveness and unemployment because, with education and employment, we can kills criminalities and terrorism.
“We are equally mindful of few living up to expectations, we commend their efforts and need for them to do more as our people are really sufferings and smiling.
“Those aspiring for their first elective offices will as well tell the citizens their antecedents and what they intend to do if elected.
“Pertinently, we appeal to candidates of various political parties to play the game according to rules and counsel their overzealous supporters to be civil, decorum and respect opponents. Anambra electorate should take their destiny in their hands by voting for the best candidates that will transform and reform our state and country for the better,” CLO posited.
