Member representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Joshua Chinedu Obika, has defended his recent political defections, insisting that Nigerians should place greater emphasis on the performance of elected officials rather than their party affiliations.
Obika, who recently moved from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and later to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stated this while briefing members of the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja on Tuesday.
The lawmaker said his political decisions were guided by the need to better serve his constituents and remain effective in delivering democratic dividends to the people of AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency.
Speaking amid criticism trailing his movement across political parties, Obika maintained that the expectations of Nigerians from public office holders should be centred on quality representation, constituency projects and impactful legislation.
According to him, political parties are platforms, while governance and service delivery remain the ultimate responsibility of elected representatives.
He also blamed the internal crisis that rocked the Labour Party for weakening the party’s structure and operational capacity across the country.
The lawmaker alleged that the crisis negatively affected the party’s effectiveness, citing the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload some candidates during Area Council elections.
Obika further said the development created uncertainty within the party and contributed to the decisions taken by many political actors seeking stable platforms to pursue their political aspirations.
The federal lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare and development of his constituency, stressing that his focus remains on attracting projects and improving the living conditions of the people he represents.