From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
As the second anniversary of the current National Assembly approaches in June 2025, a prominent Cross River State politician, Okoi Obono-Obla, has challenged federal lawmakers from the state to render full accounts of their constituency projects.
In a statement issued through a non-political group, Rabbit Punch, Obono-Obla called on the three senators representing Cross River State to provide comprehensive reports on the billions of naira received for constituency projects between 2023 and 2025.
The statement reads in part: “I call on the three senators representing Cross River State in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to render a comprehensive and just account of the billions of naira they have received between 2023 and now for the execution of constituency projects across the state’s three senatorial districts. In the spirit of democracy, accountability, and transparency, they must show respect for the electorate by detailing the impact of these funds.”
Obono-Obla, a former presidential aide on prosecution under President Muhammadu Buhari, also urged the eight House of Representatives members from the state to uphold democratic values by disclosing how they spent public funds.
“I urge the eight members of the House of Representatives from Cross River State representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku, Obubra/Etung, Abi/Yakurr, Yala/Ogoja, Biase/Akamkpa, Boki/Ikom, Odukpani/Calabar Municipality, and Bakassi/Akpabuyo/Calabar South federal constituencies to uphold the principles of democratic accountability, transparency, and responsiveness. It is imperative that they inform their constituents about the utilization of the billions of naira allocated to them for constituency projects between 2023 and 2025,” he stated.
He added that elected representatives owe their constituents full transparency and should use this anniversary milestone to demonstrate integrity.
“Elected representatives owe it to the people who entrusted them with their votes to be open about the development efforts undertaken with public funds. As they mark two years in office, they must demonstrate integrity by providing clear and truthful accounts of their stewardship,” Obono-Obla said.