In many of our communities today, there’s a growing confusion about what legislators are elected to do. Some constituents expect lawmakers to build roads, pay hospital bills, secure jobs, and even finance weddings. While these expectations may come from a place of desperation or misunderstanding, they often blur the true essence of legislative governance.
As a teacher, preacher, and active participant in civic discourse, I feel compelled to share my perspective on what the legislature is truly meant to do—and what it is not.
First, let’s lay it out plainly: legislators are primarily elected to make laws, carry out oversight, and represent the people. These duties are not just ceremonial—they are foundational pillars of democracy.
This is the most important and constitutionally defined duty of a legislator. They are responsible for drafting, debating, and passing laws that shape the daily lives of citizens. Good laws can improve education, healthcare, security, and infrastructure. Bad or outdated laws, left unchecked, can ruin a society. We must pay attention to what bills our legislators are sponsoring and supporting.
Legislators are also mandated to check the executive. That means they monitor how public funds are spent and ensure that government policies are implemented as budgeted. This function is a critical safeguard against corruption and impunity.
Our elected representatives are our voices in government. They are expected to listen to our concerns, carry our burdens to the legislative floor, and ensure policies reflect the realities on the ground.
It is important to clarify that legislators do not build roads, hospitals, or schools directly. These are functions of the executive—Presidents, Governors, and Local Government Chairpersons. Legislators, however, can lobby for such projects to be included in budgets or sited in their constituencies. That’s their influence, not their mandate.
If you see a school project labeled “constituency project,” it is often the result of a legislator’s effort to push for it, but the execution still lies with a government agency or contractor. We must stop blaming lawmakers for poorly constructed roads or uncompleted health centers—they do not manage the funds.
That said, I must commend many lawmakers who, beyond their constitutional roles, go the extra mile to serve their constituents. These efforts, while not obligatory, reflect a spirit of compassion and service.
I have personally observed legislators:
- Help constituents secure jobs through connections and recommendations.
- Distribute empowerment tools to artisans and traders.
- Sponsor scholarship programs or help secure admissions.
- Offset the medical bills of vulnerable individuals.
- Provide agricultural support to local farmers.
These gestures are noble and impactful, but let’s be clear—they are voluntary acts, not legislated duties. When legislators do these things, they deserve our appreciation—not our entitlement.
Our problem as a society is often misdirected anger. We scream at legislators for bad roads but say little to the governor or local council chairman. We accuse lawmakers of neglect when our hospitals have no drugs, yet these are executive functions. Let us correct this confusion by understanding roles.
When we hold lawmakers accountable, let it be for their attendance in legislative sessions, their performance in lawmaking and debates, their committee participation, their advocacy for our issues, and their voice in defending the Constitution.
As citizens, our power lies not just in the vote, but in knowledge. If we understand the role of each arm of government, we will ask the right questions, place the right demands, and build a more responsive system.
We should stop giving our legislators tasks that belong to the executive. And when they go beyond the call of duty to help—whether through scholarships, medical support, or empowerment—we should see it as an act of generosity, not obligation.
Let us become more informed, more engaged, and more deliberate in how we assess our leaders.
Dr. Mike Udam Teacher and Preacher, Ogoja, Nigeria contributed this article mikeudam@yahoo.com
