I was discussing with a friend who happens to be a student of UDUS the other day about Hon Umar Ahmed Imam , the Representative of Lokoja | constituency in the State House of Assembly, and the Lokoja guy was telling me how bad he feels whenever people find reasons to oppose his bid to the green chambers, despite his tireless efforts in ensuring the best of representation for the people of Lokoja
Guess what my response was?
“That is politics for you”.
After parting ways with this student friend of mine, something really got me thinking. Why would any right thinking person advocate the sacrifice of good governance on the altar of political sentiments? Why would someone want to prioritize his avarice at the expense of the collective masses?
These were the questions that ran through my mind but despite pondering on possible suitable answers to these seeming profound interrogatives, I still could not figure out where the Lokoja | state constituency lawmaker has erred or have been found wanting in terms of representation. For he has been a model of fruitful democracy to the people of Lokoja and even beyond , and has effortlessly won genuine accolades for himself and re-channeled the verdict of history in his direction.
In fact, Imam’s romance with history, when it shall find expression in account, will have more to do with his record breaking representation which the people of Lokoja have had in something one step ahead of abundance.
A trip down memory lane and analyzing his road to success provides a better and dispassionate definition of Rt Hon Imam. From his years as just “Alfa Jamb”, he had served humanity efficiently and diligently though could not derive that inner gratification because of the slim capacity he had then and could not impact on humanity as much as he desired, but took better advantage of the opportunity when he succeeded in taking the seat of Lokoja in the state legislative chambers. This makes it glaring why he is a consistent performer.
A great number of the rural part of Imam’s constituents have been offered several lifelines, a number of once jobless youths have suddenly become respectable breadwinners of their families, and the liberal men who have been given their due, all thanks to Imam’s representation having formed themselves into a shield for his high-flying career, except for the few haters of progress who will never agree to end their long held political hatred and join forces with Imam’s progressive mind to champion the course towards giving the area a new phase.
But that notwithstanding, the many others who believe in him have shown enough gratitude that he barely notices the odd group, they trust his judgment; and from his antecedent, they are again, willing to entrust their hope into his hands, thereby making him the carrier of their collective hope in another capacity to the green chamber
Imam’s calmness in the midst of series of falsehood circulated to discredit his peerless achievements which is remarkable, and which even i commend. It stems from him supreme confidence and sublime indifference to the realities of politics. To him, reprisal in any form is an illogical reaction anytime. This has formed the basis of his political philosophy – perhaps, a good reason for his resurgent determination to turn the new energy and optimism of Lokoja to the service of its ethics.
Well known for his natural ability to easily mobilize people for a worthy cause, the Lokoja people are always showing their readiness to heed his call at any point in time, with the full belief and confidence that he has and will never lead them to an unproductive venture.
A representation that among other achievements in barely three years, has given life hopes to people, free bikes, cars benefits to constituents of all ages, given empowerment packages running beyond possible enumeration to women, youths and elders of the constituency without ward or intra community considerations. And these also do not include other non official but direct financial empowerments, financial assistance and educational grants to indigenes of the areas, especially owing to his highly held love and passion for students.
While others who have found themselves in a privileged public office have since taken the status of a demi-god, flaunting obscene wealth gotten from diverting wealth meant for the people into private accounts; wearing an unapproachable attitude that scares away his electorates, and yet expecting to be adulated, this lawmaker has opted to dine and wine with the proletariat who elected him. He has maintained a commendably unpresumptuous lifestyle devoid of pretention. In fact, to be a leader, Imam understands, is about giving service and not being served.
Rt. Hon Imam is, without doubt, an engaging leader. With and insight understanding of leadership as the lifting of a person’s vision to high sight, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a person’s personality beyond its normal limitations. I have always thought that leadership conscription must focus more on values, above other considerations.
The absence in our society of leaders well-fortified by ethical and moral armour has left us on the edge of the very abyss that we are today. The enormous ethical and moral deficit, which has become notorious for leaders of today, has ensured that Nigeria’s democracy remains a travesty.
The Lokoja | constituency lawmaker who is gradually assuming a state of kingship has one thing which his people are most certain of, and that is integrity. It is something he has a duty to and even if push came to jostle, that is a belief he wouldn’t let go of.
As another election year hovers, the signal from the people of Lokoja is quite clear. Their choice is pretty glaring. It is obvious they aren’t done with Rt. Hon Imam yet. Truth about this is, irrespective of how much sentiments and blackmails Imam’s antagonists may implore, the good fruits of Imam since taking over the Lokoja | Constituency seat some three years back is glaring enough in the eyes of the people, and since the political scene has gone beyond the era when people sell off their rights and better privileges for plates of beans porridge, the people of Lokoja, I am sure will be able to differentiate between the wheat and the chaffs when the time comes.
– Abbas Yahaya writes from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, sokoto
