By

Coalition of Vanguards for Change and Good Governance.


Good governance and leadership in Nigeria has become a scarced commodity and almost proven impossible to find in this part of the world. Mandates given to politicians to represent the people at different political capacities have been abused without fear because a typical Nigerian is mostly comfy with bad and unaccountable governance.


In the past, reactions to such political behaviour is mostly subtle and that of conviniency as the governed uncomfortably will make assertions of managing such leadership to its expiration which has further proven the submission of Late Fela Anipokola Kuti in one of his songs: "suffering and smiling"


Jos North Bassa federal constituency is experiencing the worst representation in the history of legislative governance under Hon. Haruna Maitala.


the misrepresentation of the constituency by the representative has shown his insensitivity towards his constituency which has made the region lost touch with governmenance.


Needless to run a comparative analysis of the constituency's representions because even a tabul-rasa can analyze Hon. Maitala's (mis)representation.


A legislator's sole responsibilities to his constituents primarily is to legislate i.e to make laws. The legislature formulates the will of the state (people) into laws and give it legal character. in other words, the legislature transforms the demand of the people into authoritative laws/statutes in which case, since Hon. Maitala's assumption into office has never had an interface with his constituents talk more of knowing their demands to make inputs in making favourable laws in the interest of his constituency which is also expected to better their living conditions as Nigerians. The legislator is also expected to lobby for development inline with executing his constituency's project as enshrined in the budget from the Red or Green Chambers. 


In addition, account of stewardship and feedback mechanism are strange variables to the constituents of Jos North Bassa federal constituency.

Hon. Maitala has gone AWOL immediately after his swearing-in as 'the elected member representing Jos North Bassa Federal Constituency in the NASS' (as pronounced by the court of law) and for almost two (2) years now, the constituents of Jos North Bassa have lost touch with their representative while some asked if the honourable member is still alive and his whereabout.


Ideally, it is expected that a legislator move motions in plenaries to correct anomalies in his constituency and also to bring good governance to the grassroot. Hon. Maitala's case is absurd. his absence in plenaries have greatly affected the constituency and couldn't even do the least of just supporting or seconding his fellow colleagues motion. 


The above is an example of deliberative function of the legislator where he must engage in discussions/debates on matters of national importance, public issues, problems and needs all in the interest of his constituency. Constituents functions presents the legislator with the opportunity via townhall meetings with his constituents to know the right motions to move or support in plenaries. This also has presented the frequently asked question: "Where is Hon. Maitala? "


In his oversight functions (Sec. 82-89 of the Nigerian constitution with regards to the NASS), Hon. Maitala's constituents couldn't place which committee he belong to as his absence could not go un-noticed in all plenary and house committee sittings. 


It is quite worrisome that ordinary Nigerians could notice such legislative failure of Hon. Maitala and the leadership of the Federal House of Representatives still remained mute and Refused to act on his incompetency.


It is understood that the National Assembly (NASS) is a ventilation of grievances: in other words, it is an avenue for expressing grievances and other constituency matters that needed urgent national attention. This legislative function has further indicted Hon. Maitala for his inability since assumption into office to present in the green chamber the rate of frequent incessant killings in Bassa L.G and the level of insecurity which had claimed on a daily basis lives and property of natives; yet Hon. Maitala's silence has proven beyond reasonable doubts that his political interest is more important to him than the people he claimed to be representing.


In conclusion, Hon. Maitala has obviously failed in his legislative responsibilities and such incompetence in any sane opinion has rendered him INCAPACITATED and UNFIT to represent and legislate for Jos North Bassa federal constituency in the Green Chamber which has also given his constituents the right to RECALL him over POOR REPRESENTATION


Godknows Richard Moses

 (Chairman)


Geofrey John Gotep

(Secretary)