By Uche Nnorom
A non-governmental organisation, Idoma Renaissance, has warned that non-performing members of the National Assembly representing the Idoma people will not be re-elected in the 2027 general elections.
The group said it would hold federal lawmakers accountable for the constituency funds allocated to them, insisting that only legislators with visible developmental projects and impactful representation would deserve another term.
The position was contained in a statement jointly signed on Monday by the President of the organisation, Johnson Ogwuche, and its Secretary, Philip Okoh.
The organisation expressed concern that despite the huge financial resources released to the National Assembly by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, many constituents had little or nothing to show for the funds earmarked for constituency projects.
It lamented that billions of naira allocated to lawmakers for constituency interventions had failed to translate into meaningful development across many communities.
However, the group singled out the Senator representing Taraba South, David Jimkuta, for commendation, describing him as a model of responsive and people-centred representation.
According to the group, Jimkuta recently organised a large-scale empowerment programme during which cars, motorcycles, refrigerators, sewing machines, grinding machines and other business equipment were distributed to constituents.
It added that more than 1,000 beneficiaries drawn from all local government areas in Taraba South received support aimed at reducing unemployment and strengthening small businesses in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is what representation should look like. When public funds are released, the people must see tangible results,” the statement read.
The organisation also announced the constitution of an Assessment Committee to evaluate constituency funds released to lawmakers against projects executed in their respective constituencies.
“We are challenging all National Assembly members to come out and present their scorecards. The Idoma Nation will no longer allow a few individuals to enjoy the patrimony of our people to the detriment of the larger population,” the group stated.
It added, “It is no longer business as usual. Any non-performing lawmaker will not be voted back to the National Assembly.”
The group stressed that its assessment would remain non-partisan and would be based solely on performance, accountability and service delivery.
Also reacting, public affairs analyst and communications expert, Dr Edeh Agbo, criticised federal lawmakers representing Idomaland, including the Senator representing Benue South, over what he described as poor performance.
“We are waiting for them. Their achievements are a far cry from what they collect as constituency allowances,” Agbo said.
He questioned how senators, whom he claimed received about N6bn for constituency projects, and members of the House of Representatives with over N3bn each had utilised such funds.
Agbo further argued that some members of state Houses of Assembly, despite receiving significantly lower Constituency Service Allocations, had delivered more visible projects and programmes than some federal lawmakers.
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