By: Emmanuel Ntui.
The latest scorecard published by Order Paper in which the member representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Daniel Asuquo, is credited with zero number of bills should worry any right-thinking Cross Riverian, especially people from his immediate constituency and by extension, the southern senatorial district.
According to the publication, Mr. Daniel Asuquo, who answers to the sobriquet, “Dansuki”, is listed alongside Hon. Essien Ayi, member representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency and Hon. Chris Agibe, a member representing Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, is a lawmaker from Cross River who did not sponsor any bill in the parliament between June 2019 and May 2022.
As lucid as the scorecard is, it however has grave implications ahead of the February 25 general elections. The report presents the mass of the electorates with critical data upon which to make informed decisions. It also lay bare the glaring incompetence of those who currently represent the people at the federal level.
The primary duty of a lawmaker anywhere in the world is lawmaking, and this, often time, forms the yardstick for assessing performance and effectiveness. For a parliamentarian to fritter away 3 solid years without making any personal input to legislative processes at the National Assembly, is the highest form of incompetence and indolence that ought to be rewarded with a recall or an outright retirement.
It is therefore confounding why a progressive-minded and highly intellectual society like Cross River South would ever wish to reward the incompetence of a lawmaker like Mr. Daniel Asuquo with an undeserving elevation to the Nigerian Senate, whereas his performance at the lower chamber has been quite awful.
Going into the elections that will take place two weeks from now, Cross River South people should set their gaze on candidates with a demonstrable degree of competence. They should not settle for people who have been there to fill in the numbers without making any meaningful impact.
This election should be seen as an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and make necessary adjustments, as well as inject fresh blood into the whole gamut of representative governance. The choices made and their repercussions would live with the generality of the people for yet another four, maybe eight, or twelve years, as the case may be.
At this juncture, it is instructive for the people to be intentional and forthright with their vote because it holds the key to that better future that is being yearned for.
