By The9JaTREND
A civic organisation, the Monitoring Initiative for Transparency in Governance (MonITNG) has condemned what it described as the politicisation of constituency projects in Edo North Senatorial District.
The organisation accused Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the Minister for Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, of turning public resources into political patronage.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group said, the so-called dividends of democracy in Edo North had been reduced to handouts and patronage.
MonITNG alleged that Senator Oshiomhole, with the support of Minister Momoh, recently launched a “Grassroots Empowerment Programme” where cash gifts of N100,000 and empowerment items were distributed to party loyalists across the six local government areas of Edo North.
“The so-called Dividends of Democracy in Edo North have once again been reduced to handouts and patronage.
“Senator Adams Oshiomhole, with the support of the Honourable Minister for Regional Development, Momoh, has launched a “Grassroots Empowerment Programme” where cash gifts of N100,000 and empowerment items were distributed to party loyalists across the six LGAs.”
According to the organization, the initiative raises serious questions about misplaced priorities.
“At a time when Edo North is plagued with abandoned roads, dilapidated primary schools, collapsing health facilities, and communities crying for access to clean water and electricity, funds meant for constituency projects are being converted into political largesse for a select few,” said.
MonITNG questioned the exclusion of ordinary citizens from the benefits of such programmes, questioning, “What happens to the thousands of ordinary citizens who are not party members but desperately need public infrastructure and social services?”
The group stressed that constituency funds should not be treated as personal or partisan assets.
“Constituency funds are not personal estates of politicians, nor are they meant to oil the machinery of partisan loyalty.
“They are public resources, drawn from taxpayers that should be directed to projects with lasting impact: renovating schools, fixing rural roads, strengthening healthcare centres, and empowering youths and women with skills that outlive election cycles.”
Condemning what it termed “a cycle of tokenism and cash giveaways,” MonITNG said such practices only entrench poverty and underdevelopment.
“Instead, the cycle of tokenism and cash giveaways continues, leaving systemic poverty and underdevelopment intact.
“Democracy should not be reduced to cash-in-hand empowerment for a few party faithfuls.
“True dividends of democracy mean equitable development, transparency in public spending, and the execution of projects that improve the living standards of everyone, not just those who wear the colours of a political party.”
The group maintained that Edo North needs roads that connect farmers to markets, schools where children can learn in dignity, and hospitals where the sick are treated with care.
“Edo North deserves roads that connect farmers to markets, schools where children can learn in dignity, and hospitals where the sick are treated with care,” the organisation said.
It warned that as long as leaders continue to equate empowerment with short-term giveaways, communities will remain trapped in underdevelopment while politicians score cheap political points.
“As long as leaders continue to equate empowerment with temporary cash gifts and distribution of items that provide no sustainable value, communities will remain trapped in underdevelopment while politicians score cheap political points,” the statement read.
The statement concluded with a call for accountability and civic vigilance, “The people of Edo North, and indeed Nigerians everywhere, must begin to ask tougher questions: Where are the constituency projects? Where is the accountability for the billions allocated annually? And how long will we tolerate democracy being hijacked for partisan patronage?
“Edo North deserves better. True empowerment is not N100,000 in the hands of a few; it is a future built on schools, roads, healthcare, and opportunities that benefit all.”
(SaharaReporters)