Report of an independent findings by the Justice Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti and the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Ekiti State Council has rated the two lawmakers representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituencies at the National Assembly, Biodun Omoleye and Steve Fatoba poor in terms of performance.
The two lawmakers were rated very poor especially in the areas of engagement with the people, education of the people on government policies, capacity building, accessibility and connection with their route.
Presenting the report, the Director, Justice Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti State, Reverend Father Emmanuel Akingbade explained that 200 persons were randomly interviewed on one-on-one
basis, and their responses were carefully collated and analysed with Pivot Table, and interpreted
using Likert Scale tool.
According to Reverend Father Emmanuel Akingbade, those interviewed who were Farmers, Traders Artisans, Civil Servants and other members of the Public confirmed that both Biodun Omoleye and Steve Fatoba have not held any town hall meeting and have not been accessible to their constituents.
It was also reported that some of the empowerment which involved distribution of hair dryers, clippers, sewing machines and other items carried out by the lawmakers were basically shared among close relatives and party members.
The report reads:”On Hon. Biodun Francis Omoleye, a total number of 115 persons were randomly interviewed, 42% of whom were men and 58% were women; 51% were Farmers/Traders/Artisans, 7% were Civil Servants/Public
Officers/Government Employed, 28% were Self Employed/Private Sector Employed, 8% were
Traditional Rulers/Clergies/Retirees, 1% were unemployed, and 3% were students. 85% of the
interviewed do not belong to any political party.
On awareness and accessibility of the people to the representative – 51% of respondents know the Honourable. However, 99% do not know whether he has a constituency office.
Engagement with the constituents – 97% of the people interviewed did not know whether he has
held any town hall meeting with the people of the constituency. On the question of whether he has
at any time interacted with the people of the constituency to explain any policy of the government to them, 94% responded in the negative. On closeness to the people of his constituency, he was rated very poor, and in terms of overall performance, they rated him 2 over 6.
“When asked on whether the respondents were aware of any constituency project initiated in their constituency by the Honourable, 83% of the people interviewed were not aware.
On Hon. Olusola Steve Fatoba, a total number of 85 persons were randomly interviewed, 40% of whom were men and 60% were
women; 43% were Farmers/Traders/Artisans, 19% were Civil Servants/Public
Officers/Government Employed, 19% were Self Employed/Private Sector Employed, 5% were
Traditional Rulers/Clergies/Retirees, 8% were unemployed, and 5% were students. 78% of the
interviewed do not belong to any political party.
On Awareness and accessibility of the people to tHon Fatoba – 68% of respondents know the Honourable. However, 91% do not know whether he has a constituency office. Engagement with the constituents – 78% of the people interviewed did not know whether he has
held any town hall meeting with the people of the constituency. On the question of whether he has
at any time interacted with the people of the constituency to explain any policy of the government to them, 90% responded in the negative. On closeness to the people of his constituency, he was
rated poor. In terms of overall performance, they rated him 3 over 6.
When asked on whether the respondents were aware of any constituency project initiated in their constituency by the Honourable, 78.3% of the respondents were not aware.
The report on the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele was fair as he was rated high by constituents in all the areas of findings but with a call for an improved engagement with the people.
In a remark, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaye the CAN Chairman, Emmanuel Aribasoye and former Chairman of NUJ, Ekiti State, Rotimi Ojomoyela commended JDPI and NUJ for the report which they said was fair enough adding that it would send a signal to political office holders that they owe the people a lot of duties.
