18/05/2026
Itโs easier to cast governance blames on Governors because they seem to be closer to the people, while many stylishly neglect or ignorantly exonerate their duly elected representatives in the State and Federal legislative chambers.
Whenever conversations around bad governance, poor infrastructure, unemployment, insecurity, or underdevelopment emerge, the first target is almost always the Governor. Citizens readily hold Governors accountable for every challenge confronting the State, forgetting that governance is a shared responsibility among different arms and levels of government.
While Governors undoubtedly occupy strategic leadership positions and must be held accountable for their actions and inactions, it is intellectually dishonest and politically dangerous to isolate them from the broader governance structure that includes Senators, Members of the Federal Houses of Representatives, and Members of the State Houses of Assembly.
Democracy was deliberately designed to operate through collaboration, checks, representation, lawmaking, oversight, and constituency engagement. This means development cannot solely rest on the shoulders of one individual simply because he occupies the number one seat in the State.
Unfortunately, many citizens invest enormous energy, emotion, and scrutiny into governorship elections but become politically passive, indifferent, or sentimental when deciding those who represent them in legislative chambers. Yet, these lawmakers are constitutionally empowered to make laws, influence budgets, facilitate projects, carry out oversight functions, and represent the direct interests of their constituencies.
The question therefore is how many citizens genuinely interrogate the competence, capacity, credibility, accessibility, and legislative understanding of those seeking to represent them?
How many voters ask critical questions beyond party slogans, ethnic sentiments, financial inducements, or social familiarity?
How many people can confidently list the bills sponsored by their representatives, motions moved on behalf of their constituency, oversight engagements carried out, or developmental interventions facilitated through legislative influence?
Too often, citizens wake up years after elections only to realize they barely know who represents them at the State or National Assembly. Yet, when governance disappointments arise, all frustrations are conveniently directed toward Governors alone.
This culture must change.
The same seriousness, strategic thinking, and scrutiny citizens apply to governorship elections must also be replicated in electing Members of the House of Representatives, Senators, and State Assembly lawmakers.
The same accountability people demand from Governors must equally be demanded from legislators.
A Senator who cannot effectively debate national issues, influence policy conversations, attract meaningful projects, or defend the interests of his constituency weakens the democratic strength of the people he represents.
A House of Representatives member who disappears after elections, remains silent in parliament, or contributes nothing beyond occupying a seat has failed in representative responsibility regardless of party affiliation or political popularity.
Likewise, State Assembly lawmakers who abandon oversight responsibilities, fail to engage constituents, or merely function as political spectators contribute significantly to governance failures at the subnational level.
Citizens must therefore begin to understand that governance outcomes are products of collective institutional performance, not the Governor alone.
As the Federal House of Representatives primary elections have been concluded and the Senate primaries hold today, this moment presents another opportunity for political stakeholders, party delegates, and citizens to make informed and future-driven decisions.
This is the time to prioritize competence, capacity, substance, and vision against unnecessary familiarity that won't translate into greater good for all.
The future of governance does not only depend on who becomes Governor. It also depends heavily on who occupies legislative seats at both the State and Federal levels.
Strong democracies are built when competent executives work alongside responsible, intelligent, courageous, and people-oriented legislators.
If citizens truly desire better governance, sustainable development, quality representation, and accountable leadership, then they must stop treating legislative elections as secondary political exercises.
The ballot used in electing a Governor carries the same democratic weight as the one used in electing a Senator or House of Representatives member.
Governance will improve significantly the day citizens begin to hold every elected office accountable with equal seriousness.
Democracy works best not when people merely vote emotionally, but when they vote intelligently and demand performance from every arm of government.
Fรฉmi รsan ๐ฐ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐จ-๐๐ค๐ข๐ญ๐ข
๐๐๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ123@๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ฅ.๐๐จ๐ฆ
07033009491
