By Akpan David, Calabar
The Cross River State House of Assembly needs assertive and vibrant lawmakers who can hold the executive accountable, rather than members who merely endorse its decisions, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for Calabar South State Constituency II, Affiong Joseph, has said.
Affiong, a retired civil servant and pioneer female member of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Women’s Wing in Cross River State, said the legislature had fallen short of its constitutional responsibility as a watchdog over the executive arm of government.
Speaking with our correspondent, the former trade unionist, who also served as unit treasurer of the Nigerian Civil Service Union, criticised what she described as the lack of independence and assertiveness among the current lawmakers.
“The present crop of Assembly members are all ‘Yes Sir’ members. They are falling short of what they are supposed to do,” she said.
She recalled that the state had a more vocal and active legislature during the fourth or fifth Assembly, arguing that the House needed to reclaim its oversight role and become more responsive to the people.
On what she would bring to the Assembly if elected, Affiong said she would ensure that the concerns of her constituents were effectively represented through debates, lawmaking, budgetary interventions and oversight.
“I shall be a voice for Calabar South by taking the problems of my constituency to the House with total assertiveness,” she said.
She added that she would use her legislative, budgetary and oversight responsibilities to ensure that the constituency’s priority infrastructure needs were captured in the budget, adequately funded and implemented, with regular feedback to residents.
Affiong listed road repairs, security, youth unemployment, drainage, healthcare, and the rehabilitation of schools among the issues she would prioritise if elected.
She also pledged to advocate improved access to primary healthcare for women and children, alongside stronger protections for women and girls against domestic violence, child abuse, trafficking, harassment and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
According to her, she would support measures to improve survivors’ access to legal assistance and safe shelters, while pursuing legislation that addresses the needs of vulnerable groups.
“As a legislator, I shall debate and make laws that will be beneficial to the people of Calabar South,” she said, adding that women’s empowerment would be a major focus of her legislative agenda.
She said she would promote women’s economic participation and opportunities as part of efforts to improve their social and economic well-being.
