In politics, emotions often guide decisions. But when it comes to legislative representation, strategy must guide emotions. As the good people of Kogi East reflect on the future of our federal representation, it is important that we pause and ask ourselves a sincere question: Are we building long-term influence, or are we resetting our progress every election cycle?
Our representatives serve in the National Assembly of Nigeria, specifically in the House of Representatives — an institution where ranking, seniority, and experience are not ceremonial titles, but instruments of power. The House operates on relationships built over time, mastery of procedure, and earned trust among colleagues. Influence there is not automatic; it grows gradually.
This is why continuity matters.
Today, Kogi East is represented in the House of Representatives by vibrant lawmakers who are steadily gaining experience and positioning our district for greater relevance. Hon. David Zacharia of Idah, Ofu, Igalamela/Odolu Federal Constituency — the largest constituency in Kogi State — is currently serving his second term. Hon. Abdullahi Halims represents the Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency. Hon. Paul Gowon Haruna, widely known as Idris Nana, represents the Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency.
These are not first-term legislators trying to find their way. They are lawmakers who have already navigated the difficult early years of legislative learning. They understand the processes. They have built alliances. They know how committee systems work. They know how federal budgets are negotiated. They are no longer observers — they are participants.
And this is precisely why we must not interrupt the momentum.
The House of Representatives is a chamber where ranking carries enormous weight. Members who stay longer gain access to more strategic committees. They are considered for leadership roles. They influence appropriation decisions. They shape debates. They speak and are heard differently because their voices carry institutional memory.
States that dominate critical committees today did not get there by accident. They kept returning their lawmakers. They resisted the temptation of constant change. They understood that legislative power is cumulative.
When we change representatives after just two terms, we do more than elect a new face. We surrender ranking. We forfeit committee seniority. We weaken our bargaining power. We return to the starting line while other states continue advancing.
A new member, no matter how brilliant or energetic, must begin as a freshman. He must observe more than he speaks. He must learn before he leads. He must wait his turn before he influences key decisions. That waiting period often costs constituencies valuable opportunities.
For Kogi East, this is not the time to start over.
Our district has historically demanded greater federal presence — better roads, stronger educational infrastructure, improved healthcare facilities, empowerment programs, and visible federal projects. Achieving these does not depend only on good intentions. It depends on influence within the system.
Hon. David Zacharia, representing the largest constituency in the state, is at a defining stage of his legislative journey. A second-term lawmaker stands at the threshold of consolidation. The relationships built in the first term begin to yield fruit in subsequent terms. Committee relevance grows. Confidence from leadership strengthens. Access improves.
The same applies to Hon. Abdullahi Halims and Hon. Idris Nana. Their collective experience, if sustained, becomes a formidable asset for Kogi East. Three ranking members from one senatorial district can strategically align to attract federal projects, push amendments, and influence national discussions that benefit our people.
Imagine a scenario where all three become fourth-term legislators. Imagine the weight their voices would carry. Imagine the committee positions they could occupy. Imagine the negotiation strength during appropriation season.
That is not wishful thinking — that is how legislative systems work.
This appeal is not about personalities. It is not about blind loyalty. It is about understanding the mechanics of power. It is about recognizing that institutional memory is valuable. It is about choosing long-term advantage over short-term excitement.
Politics sometimes creates the illusion that change is always progress. But not all change produces advancement. Sometimes, continuity is the true path to growth.
In many advanced democracies, lawmakers build decades of experience. Their constituencies benefit from that stability. Projects are followed through to completion. Legislative agendas are sustained. Strategic plans mature. Institutional respect deepens.
Kogi East must begin to think in that direction.
We must resist the culture of discarding lawmakers just when they begin to gain traction. We must ask ourselves: Are we better served by restarting every eight years, or by consolidating influence over sixteen or twenty years?
The answer is clear.
Supporting our representatives for continued service does not mean surrendering accountability. On the contrary, it means demanding performance while preserving ranking. It means encouraging improvement while maintaining continuity. It means strengthening our voice at the center.
Our lawmakers are still climbing the ladder of influence. Let us not remove the ladder beneath them. Let us not reduce our collective strength by resetting our representation prematurely.
Kogi East deserves stronger presence at the federal level. We deserve louder voices in national debates. We deserve greater share of federal opportunities. Achieving these requires strategy, patience, and unity.
This is a call to the elders, the youths, the opinion leaders, the traditional institutions, and the political stakeholders of Kogi East. Let us prioritize consolidation. Let us protect our ranking. Let us build legislative strength that will endure beyond electoral cycles.
Continuity is not stagnation. Continuity is strategy.
If we truly desire progress, let us support our serving members in the House of Representatives to deepen their experience, solidify their ranking, and expand their influence.
The future of Kogi East in the National Assembly depends not just on who represents us, but on how long and how effectively they are allowed to build power within the system.
Let us choose wisdom over impulse. Let us choose consolidation over constant change. Let us choose strength.
For the sake of Kogi East — continuity is the path forward.
– Musa Wada, a public affairs analyst, sent this piece from Abuja.
