By Helen Ovbiagele

Helen, do you think these politicians who won elections into our states House of Assemblies, House of Representatives and the Senate, really know what their duties entail?” asked a friend

“I should think so, or, rather, I hope so.  Why do you ask?”

“Now, God forgive me, I’m not saying it should be only those with genuine multiple university degrees, professors, high-powered industrialists, or leaders of the Bar Association who should be elected as our lawmakers, but I’m worried about the calibre of people who want to get in, and do get in.

For some years now, I’ve made it a duty to watch debates on television, and God forgive me again, many contributions lack substance, and I got disappointed.   It seemed some of them are there to show off their outfits and to doze.   I wouldn’t say I’m an authority on these things, and I know that to become an effective law-maker you don’t have to be an alpha plus plus, but I think there should be a guideline of what qualifies you to seek election to become a law-maker, other than the least qualification being a secondary school leaving certificate or GCE ordinary level.”

“Like what, for example?”

“I think one’s personal work experience should be an important requisite.  A market person/trader who is literate and with a secondary school certificate, and who has a sound knowledge/experience  of what buying and selling entails, can qualify to be elected as a lawmaker so that he/she can give a first hand account of what the world of buying/selling for them really is, and suggest laws that can improve matters to the benefit of all Nigerians.”

“That’s a sound idea.  Lawmakers who know nothing about the ordinary buying/selling which affects the lives of our citizens most, don’t know the real difficulties involved, and so, are not committed to making laws which ease things for the traders and the man on the street.  Those who are likely to lobby for laws which would enhance the business world, are most likely to be those at the top – that is, manufacturers, big industrialists, bankers, etc. Much as this is useful, the effort hardly brings the desired relief to the traders/the masses, because whatever problem there is, affects them in a different way. ”

“Exactly. I’m glad you got the picture.  Teachers, nurses, technicians, mechanics, etc., who have the requisite educational qualifications/experience can run for parliament.  These people’s occupations affect the lives of citizens more than those of the VIPs, so, their involvement in law-making would be very profitable to us.  They should be encouraged to run.  Don’t you think so, Helen?”

“It’s a good idea, but the problem would be that they won’t have the money to spend on elections, and no godfather to sponsor them.”

“Hm!  Money and god-father problem!  In Europe,  youths, primary school teachers, nurses, union leaders,  are elected into parliament, or the local council.  Once their community believes in their capability, and in their political party, they get in.”

“True, especially in the United Kingdom, but we’re not ready for that yet in Nigeria.  Many citizens still believe they have to be given gifts of money, bags of rice, etc.,before they can vote for an individual or a political party.  Those categories of people you mentioned don’t have that sort of money, especially since there’s no assurance that they would win and get back the money they borrowed to use in bribing people to vote for them.  Sadly, politics is still business investment in our country.”I observed.

“So, how will the common man ever make his/her contribution to lawmaking?”

“Citizens are supposed to do that through their lawmakers at local, state and federal levels.”

“I know that, but is it happening?  Do our lawmakers know that they have to consult their constituents before going to take part in a debate and vote?  Do they know that they have to know the opinion of people in their constituency concerning an issue to be debated upon?”

Sadly, this is not happening yet, at least to my knowledge.  To the average politician/lawmaker in our country, we the masses are of no relevance to him/her, after the elections.  We are dispensable until the next elections.

In the developped countries that we’re trying to emulate, true democracy means that the lawmaker is in constant consultation with his/her constituents, and he/she respects their opinion, and votes along the lines of their demands.  He becomes a member of their families as he gets to know them, and they get to know him.  Their pain is his pain and their joy his joy.

This brings us to the issue of surgery, which is time when a member of Parliament can be consulted by the people he represents.  Money is provided by government, for office space and staff,  for this purpose.

Ideally, every Nigerian should know his/her lawmaker, where his/her office is, and when he/she holds surgery.  Lawmakers are supposed to spend more time in their constituencies, being consulted by their constituents, than in Abuja, or their capital cities.   These surgeries are not time for plotting with an inner circle  for re-elections, or how to use thugs to harass one’s ‘enemies’.

Rather, it’s quality time when your constituents can consult you on issues close to their hearts.  It may be about the bad roads in the area, lack of a health centre, water, security, etc.  It may even be a family problem.  It may be their opinion on a matter about to be debated in parliament.  They have the right to make an input.  The lawmaker listens and finds ways he/she can bring relief. This may involve liaising with a commissioner, a minister or the local government chairperson.

What we have at present are interest groups, like the pro-life groups the other year,  who helped to kill a bill calling for women’s reproductive rights (which they labelled Abortion Bill),  lobbying members of parliament.  This is in order, but it involves mainly the elite.  The common man has no link with his parliamentarian.

This time round, let every lawmaker in the country, display his/her office address boldly, and the hours of surgery.  Even when he/she is not in town, his/her office should be open every week day to attend to members of the public.

His staff should be polite and be helpful, and not see every person who comes to them as a beggar.

The days when our lawmakers are invisible and inaccessible to their constituents, should be over and done with.  This is the 21st century.