My Ideal Legislative Agenda for True Legislative Representation
In Nigeria, and specifically in our beloved Kaduna State, it has become customary for politicians across party lines to make unrealistic promises in order to gain voter support. However, I am proud to declare that I do not belong to this category, owing to my training and background. Our nation is currently facing significant economic and social challenges, which many experts consider to be the most difficult period since the devastating Civil War of 1967-1970. From the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic to the global tensions arising from the war in Ukraine, both the world and Nigeria are grappling with multiple crises. In such times, it is crucial that we foster national unity, prioritize public service honesty, and ensure political transparency to develop innovative solutions that can help us overcome these challenges together.
We are confronted with a wide range of socio-economic and security issues that demand our bold, sincere, and patriotic engagement. This is not a moment to offer vulnerable Nigerians populist and impractical solutions solely for electoral gains. The situation is no different in our beloved Kaduna State, despite the commendable efforts of the El-Rufai administration. It is my personal conviction, driven by an innate patriotic zeal and an unwavering belief in the immense potential of our people to overcome poverty, disunity, and hopelessness, that led me to join partisan politics in 2010.
The knowledge, experiences, losses, and victories I have encountered along the way have shaped me into the person I am today. I am confident that the good people of Kaduna North Federal Constituency have made a wise decision by selecting me as their representative. However, it would be both ignorant and arrogant to underestimate the monumental task ahead. It would be deceptive and disrespectful to the constituents to claim that I possess all the answers. I humbly acknowledge that I do not. Nevertheless, I recognize the weight of my decision to represent the people of Kaduna North Federal Constituency and the challenging journey I am embarking on.
Therefore, I implore the people of Kaduna North Federal Constituency to embrace this covenant between us. My goal is to usher in a new era of legislative excellence and genuine representation. To achieve this, we must work together transparently, and I must be held accountable for every legislative action I take, as each decision will directly impact their well-being. I want to assure them that I will not betray the trust they place in me for any reason.
I firmly believe that I am fully prepared for the role. I come equipped with over a decade of political experience, starting with my involvement with political stakeholders of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a legacy part of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), since 2010. Additionally, I worked with Huawei Technology, a Fortune 400 company, for four years, gaining invaluable experience in the private sector and the ability to set realistic goals and achieve the necessary targets and objectives.
Furthermore, my appointment as Senior Legislative Aide & Chief of Staff to Senator Uba Sani, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions in 2019 provided me with immeasurable public service experience and deep insights into the inner workings of the legislature. I am
proud to have contributed my quota to the benefit of the good people of Kaduna Central zone, alongside other dedicated and competent staff, under the guidance of Senator Uba Sani.
The experience I gained while serving Senator Uba Sani, who is now the Governor of Kaduna State, surpass the education I received at Wheaton College, where I obtained a BSc in Political Science & International Relations. The knowledge, patience, and wisdom I acquired in my role as the most senior aide in Senator Uba Sani’s office hold greater value to me than the MSc I earned in Public Relations and Corporate Communication from the prestigious Georgetown University. Through practical experience in public service, I have come to understand that there is no substitute for firsthand involvement. For this, I am deeply grateful to Senator Uba Sani for the opportunities and insights he has provided me, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him as the Governor of Kaduna State, alongside the entire team in Kaduna.
This experience has prepared me extensively to represent the good people of Kaduna North Federal Constituency, especially after leading Senator Uba Sani’s staff in the National Assembly for the past four years. During this time, I have established valuable relationships, forged important alliances, and gained a comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities of an effective legislator in the National Assembly. I will leverage this experience for the benefit of the people of Kaduna North Federal Constituency.
I aim to provide the people of Kaduna North Federal Constituency with purposeful, impactful, and transparent representation in a manner they have never encountered before. With the grace of God, I am resolute in my determination to accomplish precisely that.
To provide the people of Kaduna North Federal Constituency with honest, accessible, impactful and transparent representation that addresses what we collectively deem their most pressing needs. This is crucial for the development and realization of the full potential of the people across the twelve wards within the constituency, creating opportunities for growth and utilizing the untapped but abundant potential that exists among its residents.
According to the National Institute for Legislative Development Studies (NILDS), the turnover rate in the National Assembly stands at over 70%. This means that seven out of ten legislators do not return for a second term. This high turnover rate is detrimental to the institutional memory of the legislature and consequently affects the quality of representation in Nigeria. While political factors contribute to this issue, we must also address the habit of overpromising and underdelivering, which is often overlooked.
Furthermore, there is a deliberate failure to educate the public about the actual duties and expectations of legislators, which adds to this alarming statistic. Many voters expect legislators to function as administrators.
However, I firmly believe in the separation of powers and understand that sustainable progress can only be achieved when legislators collaborate with the executive branch for the benefit of the people.
To ensure effective representation, I have aligned my programs and legislative agenda with the policies of the Uba Sani administration. I will leverage any federal-level policies or programs that directly improve the welfare of the people of Kaduna North. This approach was instrumental in the success of Senator Uba Sani, my political mentor and the current Governor of Kaduna, during his first term in the 9th National Assembly. In Kaduna, we witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact legislators can have on the progress and development of the state. To achieve success, harmony and synergy must prevail, and I am committed to upholding these principles.
I also firmly believe in restructuring and advocating for a bottom-up governance approach. I will never underestimate the knowledge of the leaders and stakeholders within the various communities in the constituency when seeking solutions to our challenges. Despite being 90% urban, Kaduna North Federal Constituency consists of twelve wards, each with its own distinct needs and aspirations. Employing a one- size-fits-all approach will not yield positive results.
Therefore, establishing a governing structure composed of credible leaders in each of the twelve wards is crucial to achieving meaningful progress. Although our nation faces similar problems regardless of the state or geopolitical region, our agenda is to address the issues specific to our constituency at the ward level. Our plan is to directly impact the people and foster a genuine connection between the general public and the legislative office.
With that in mind, while acknowledging the constitutional right of the state government to provide essential services to the people, I humbly present the critical areas on which I will focus on as the Member representing the esteemed people of Kaduna North Federal Constituency. While most of these critical areas fall within the purview of the state government, my aim is to complement their efforts and ensure that the people I represent genuinely feel my presence and the positive impact of their elected representative.
I firmly believe that the most valuable resource in any society is its people. It is crucial to harness this resource and transform it into an asset. To unlock the untapped potential within these individuals, we must ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills and education to realize their capabilities. I plan to achieve this by providing them with vocational training opportunities and educational scholarships, enabling them to become impactful entrepreneurs and active citizens in their communities. For those who aspire to find employment, we will establish pathways to enhance their employability, with the hope that the growing private sector in Kaduna State will offer them opportunities.
Also, In Kaduna North Federal Constituency, like many other constituencies in the country, there is a significant population of vulnerable groups who have been left behind and are the most affected by
Nigeria’s underdevelopment. My aim is to ensure that these groups benefit from a comprehensive and transparent program that will directly improve their lives and the communities they reside in.
In the third quarter of 2023, I will focus on the following vulnerable groups, as I strongly believe that directing our efforts towards them will enhance the economic and social progress of our constituency: