Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, has emphasized the need for stronger bonds between lawmakers and their constituents to ensure effective discharge of their constitutional duties.
Sumaila made the call during a high-level roundtable discussion organized by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Mambayya House, titled “Building Trust for Legislative Accountability in Nigeria.”
The dialogue centered on bridging the gap between legislators and the electorate to enhance governance outcomes.
The Senator identified irregular and poorly structured communication as a major factor fueling mistrust between lawmakers and their constituents. He noted that engagements are often overshadowed by partisan debates rather than meaningful discussions on budgetary priorities.
“Many constituents have limited understanding of the constitutional roles and responsibilities of legislators, especially in appropriation and fiscal oversight,”* Sumaila stated.
“There is also widespread confusion between legislators’ running costs, staff salaries, and funds for constituency projects, leading to misinformation and reputational damage.”*
While acknowledging corruption in the execution of constituency projects, he urged constituents, civil society, and the media to remain vigilant in holding lawmakers accountable.
Gidado Mukhtar, Chairman of the event, highlighted the breakdown of trust between legislators and the electorate, attributing it partly to unrealistic expectations and the lack of feedback mechanisms between election cycles.
“Lawmakers must develop better engagement strategies to address grievances, while citizens should set realistic expectations to avoid disappointment,” Mukhtar said.
Prof. Habu Mohammed, Director of Mambayya House, urged lawmakers to establish robust accountability and feedback systems to foster continuous dialogue with constituents.
He stressed that such measures would strengthen democracy and rebuild public confidence in the legislature.
A communique issued at the end of the roundtable emphasized that restoring trust between lawmakers and their constituents is critical for effective governance in Nigeria.
