Austine Felix Urges Akoko-Edo II Voters To Embrace Political Change, Accountability
Dr. Austine Oyarekwa Felix, the National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Akoko-Edo Constituency II in the Edo State House of Assembly, has called on residents of the constituency to embrace a new political consciousness anchored on accountability, effective representation and people-oriented governance.
Felix, in a political commentary titled “Nigeria’s Governance Crisis: The Change We Need, the Courage It Requires, and Why Akoko-Edo Constituency II Must Rise,” said the time had come for citizens to reconsider their political choices and demand better performance from those seeking public office.
He argued that Nigeria’s persistent governance challenges could not be addressed merely by changing political personalities without reforming the attitudes, practices and institutions that shape leadership and public service.
According to him, the country’s difficulties, including inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, unreliable electricity, poor access to quality healthcare and limited economic opportunities, underscore the urgent need for a governance system that prioritises citizens’ welfare.
He maintained that Akoko-Edo Constituency II could not afford to remain disconnected from the broader national conversation on political reform, insisting that meaningful development required purposeful leadership and active citizen participation.
The NDP candidate identified weak accountability, excessive political patronage, personality-driven campaigns and citizens’ disengagement from governance after elections as some of the factors undermining democratic progress.
He stressed that elected representatives must be judged by their performance, legislative contributions, oversight activities and commitment to addressing the concerns of their constituents, rather than their political influence or occasional acts of generosity.
“An elected representative is not a political king. A legislator is a public servant entrusted with the people's mandate,” he stated.
Felix noted that citizens had a responsibility to demand explanations from their representatives regarding their legislative activities, community advocacy and efforts to advance public interests.
He also cautioned against the politics of temporary gratification, arguing that campaign gifts and short-term benefits could not replace sustainable development, functional infrastructure, economic opportunities and effective representation.
According to him, voters must prioritise candidates’ competence, character, commitment and understanding of their constitutional responsibilities when making electoral decisions.
He further called for sustained public engagement beyond election periods, urging residents to monitor legislative activities, attend constituency meetings, submit petitions and demand regular updates from their representatives.
Felix, who is seeking election to the Edo State House of Assembly, said his ambition was driven by the need to strengthen representation and establish a political culture in which citizens remain actively involved in decisions affecting their communities.
He explained that the legislature offered an important platform for advancing the interests of constituents through lawmaking, budgetary processes, oversight and engagement with relevant government institutions.
While acknowledging that no single legislator could independently resolve every challenge facing a constituency, he maintained that an effective representative could make a significant difference through constructive engagement, persistent advocacy and responsible use of legislative powers.
The candidate also used the analogy of a sick patient who refuses prescribed medication to illustrate what he described as the contradiction between citizens’ demands for better governance and their unwillingness to abandon political practices that undermine their long-term interests.
He argued that genuine political transformation required citizens to make difficult but necessary choices, including rejecting inducements that could compromise their electoral decisions and supporting candidates with clear priorities and a commitment to accountability.
Felix outlined five practical steps towards achieving political change: improving the criteria for selecting leaders, rejecting the politics of temporary gratification, demanding accountability before and after elections, sustaining civic participation beyond election day, and electing people prepared to work for meaningful reform.
He also called on young people, women, professionals, community leaders and civil society organisations to participate actively in governance, stressing that political development was a collective responsibility.
Emphasising the importance of inclusive participation, he urged citizens to remain peaceful, respect democratic processes and reject political intimidation and violence.
The NDP candidate further maintained that political parties and elected officials should remain open to public scrutiny, regardless of their influence or position, adding that democratic governance could only thrive where citizens’ voices were respected.
Reaffirming his determination to win the Akoko-Edo Constituency II seat, Felix said his aspiration was not merely to participate in an election but to secure the people’s mandate and deploy it towards purposeful representation.
“I am not in this race simply to participate. I am in this race to win, to serve, and to make representation count,” he declared.
He called on the electorate to assess his candidacy based on its purpose, his proposals on their practicality, and his commitment to the standards of accountability he was prepared to uphold.
Felix urged the people of Akoko-Edo Constituency II to make the forthcoming election about the future of their communities rather than the personal interests of political actors, insisting that sustainable progress would require a departure from familiar but unproductive political habits.
He concluded that meaningful change would begin when citizens recognised the value of their votes, demanded higher standards from political leaders and accepted their responsibility to shape the future of their constituency through informed democratic participation.
