The National Assembly, through the Office of the Clerk, has communicated its intention to provide the Ekimogun Roundtable with the requested information regarding Hon. Peter Abiola Makinde, the member representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency.
According to a statement released by the Acting Secretary of the Roundtable, Ms. Christiana Ayodele, the letter—signed by the National Assembly’s Director of Legal Services—was received by the leadership of the Roundtable on Friday, January 24, 2025. The letter reads, in part:
"I am directed to inform you that the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) is in receipt of your letter. Your request is being processed. We therefore request that you give us some time to make available the information you requested. Accept the regards of the CNA."
The Roundtable, a socioeconomic group comprising Ondo indigenes both at home and abroad, had earlier written to the National Assembly requesting all necessary information regarding Hon. Makinde’s plenary attendance record. This request was made in line with Section 68(f) of the 1999 Constitution, which explicitly states the number of days a federal lawmaker must be physically present during plenary sessions.
Other information requested by the Roundtable includes documentary evidence showing that Hon. Abiola Makinde, during his foreign trips, complied with House Standing Order 3 (1, 2, and 3). This order mandates federal lawmakers to enter their names and addresses in a book kept by the Clerk of the House at the commencement of each legislative session or as soon as they have taken their seats, for the purpose of maintaining a legislative attendance record. Additionally, the Standing Order requires lawmakers traveling outside the country to inform the Speaker of the House, indicating the purpose, duration of their stay, and their whereabouts during such trips.
The Roundtable commended the National Assembly for demonstrating a high level of responsibility by supporting its efforts to hold elected representatives accountable.
However, the Roundtable reminded the National Assembly that the Freedom of Information Act 2011 stipulates the timeline within which all requests for information must be attended to. It also revealed that it has commenced all necessary legal processes to ensure the information is released within the constitutionally stipulated timeline, while maintaining its respect for the National Assembly.
"We are conducting a general house cleaning. The people of the constituency have been unduly shortchanged for too long as a result of misrepresentation and prolonged absenteeism by our elected officials. Several billions have been lost due to misconceived or misappropriated constituency projects and funds. Therefore, there is a need to hold our representatives accountable across the board, starting with their attendance records, which is the most fundamental," Ms. Christiana concluded.
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