By Eben Enasco

The profligacy of the legislative arm of government since the return to democracy in 1999 has again come under scrutiny, dominating informal and formal debates across the country.

Considering their heavy dependence on the Executive arm for effective operation, individual lawmakers are now facing stinging criticism.

Constitutionally, the legislature is a critical pillar of governance and serves as a direct check on excesses in other arms of government.

As key decision-makers, however, if you sampled the opinion of one thousand Nigerians today on the impact of their representatives, the vast majority would say most members are not fit for purpose.

The situation has reached a boiling point as citizens now ripp on the hierarchy to shreds.

In Edo State, a troubling question is on the lips of the people.

And they are asking, Is the House of Assembly still the house of the people, or has it become an extension of the executive arm of government?

For years, the hallowed chamber of the Edo State House of Assembly on Ring Road was known as the last hope of the common man.

Today, in every where you go, critics say it has become a rubber stamp.

Although, some of its members have rightly distinguished themselves through visible constituency projects, when you have only eight out of twenty four , it implies absolute failure.

The question is where are the 14 redudant and constituency less project striken members? Gone with the wind or abandoned their obligations?

From Benin to Ekpoma, Auchi and akoko Edo, the complaint is the same, Lawmakers who should speak for the people now only speak for the executive.

According to madam philo, “We voted for them to represent us, but they only represent Government Houses. Any bill from Government House, dem go pass am almost that same day!”

Now let us Consider the facts.

How many private member bills have been passed in the last three years that directly address the needs of Edo people? Poor power concerns, unemployment, bad roads, cultism, market levies?

How many times has the House summoned a commissioner or questioned the executive on budget performance, security votes, or abandoned projects?

Yet, when an executive bill arrives — whether it is a loan request, a supplementary budget, or a new tax law it flies.

It is passed with speed, with praise, without scrutiny.

It is similar at the local government level where most counselors fight for who becomes the speaker, and their personal allowance, thereby, abandone their primary functions.

The Constitution in Section 4 is clear. The Legislature is not an appendage. It is an independent arm. Its job is to check, to balance, to represent.

But what do we see in Edo?

Constituency projects that never reach the constituency.

Oversight functions turned to oversight visits for photo-ops.

Public hearings where the public is never heard.

A molestation of representation is when the representative forgets who sent him. When he wears agbada to Abuja and forgets the slippers that voted him in.

Is your lawmaker representing you, or is he just passing executive bills?

If the Assembly cannot question the executive, who will ask questions on behalf of the people?

The dog that barks in Edo today is not barking at the street cultists alone. It is also barking at the chamber where laws are made.

The Edo State House of Assembly is under scrutiny. Critics allege the Legislature has abandoned its core duty of representation to become a mere tool for the passage of executive bills.

With few private member bills and little oversight of the executive, questions are being raised on whether the people’s house still belongs to the people.

It is time to identify those who know the law to make the law for the people, not those who pocketed the 50 million Constituency funds yet wants second tenure in office.

The permanent voters Cards PVC, must be carefull kept to serve it purpose at the 2027 general election.