From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha
Scores of youths in Ogbunike community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State have protested alleged abysmal representation by the immediate past member representing Oyi constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs Vivian Okadigbo.
The protesters under the aegies of Oyi Youth Initiative demanded proper accountability from the ex-lawmaker for the eight years of her two terms at the House of Assembly.
The angry youths who marched from Awkuzu junction to the Local Government Secretariat, Nteje, carrying placards with different inscriptions, also demanded refund of the constituency funds to enable the constituents execute the projects themselves.
They threatened to take up the matter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Crimes (ICPC) if she failed to make the refunds within 30 days.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Comrade Mbamalu Uchenna said they were saddened that the former lawmaker had nothing to show her constituents between 2011 to 2019 she represented them.
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He alleged that Okadigbo had not been accountable to her constituents through constituency projects and town hall meetings for the period she held sway.
He said, “It’s appalling and embarrassing that such a woman, who is supposed to be a mother came and wasted our time, took all our constituency allocations, and abandoned the people she is supposed to represent.
“This is unacceptable because the expectations of our people were completely dashed. In all of these, the good people of Oyi Constituency gave Mrs Okadigbo two complete tenures and there is nothing to show for it.”
Reacting, Mrs Vivian Okadigbo said the protest was sponsored by her political opponents, wondering why such protest could not take place earlier in her tenure.
She attributed her two terms tenure in the house to the quality representation she offered to her constituency.
She said, “They should have done their protest earlier. I’m now based in Lagos. I was the only lawmaker that worked so well in Oyi than any other representative and had given them account on several occasions.”
