By Salihu Adam Jiddah.
An aspirant for the Federal House of Representatives, Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, Sheik Ibrahim Jibril (SIJ) has concluded his long-awaited consultations with the leaders and members of his constituency.
The consultation visit was occasioned by numerous calls from different groups, who saw him worthy to represent them at the green chamber.
He started from Bassa LGA after rejecting the offer for few members to visit him in his house to deliver the message of the communities, stating that he is a son of the soil who must go deep down to his people, and see things for himself as well as hear from the highs and lows to enable him understand their issues better.
Premised on this, he decided to move from Anyigba through Alogba, Odu, Dekina straight to Bassa and took the second route from Ogbaloto through Ajiyolo ojaji down to Anyigba with stops over in almost all the communities along the routes.
Sheik got his first surprise package at Dekina where his convoy was stopped by teaming supporters, who came together to open a campaign office in his honour. They told him they were pleased with his achievement in the private sector and his disposition to accept the call to represent his people.
SIJ was perplexed as he told his supporters that he will never forget the gesture.
He moved to Bassa to meet party members. Surprisingly, the crowd defiled the meeting as it turned out to be over 500 persons waiting for his arrival across all parties. The chairman of the party, alongside delegates, women, youths and other stalwarts of the community were present to give SIJ a resounding welcome.
They described him as a perfect gentleman, a worthy son and a true ambassador of the constituency, who has helped thousands in the community- even without any political office. They pleaded with him to stand up and represent them in other to show great example, which will beacon a new history and become a complete departure from what has happened hitherto.
In his response, the eulogized Sheik could not conceal his happiness as he expressed gratitude to Almighty God and the people; stating that he only came for consultations not knowing that a sea of humanity awaits him. He further commended them for the love they have shown, which has raised his hope in the contest greatly.
“I know you have always voiced out your issues, so you have voices. What has happened is the disconnect between you and those who represented us in the past. From now onwards, if given the mandate, I promise to amplify your voice,” he said.
The meeting came to a close with a resounding vote of confidence on his candidacy by the people as they promised a block vote both at the primary and general elections.
Similarly, the train moved back to Anyigba where he met with Dekina LGA party hierarchies, delegates and supporters. The party in Dekina remarked that SIJ is a household name and he must wake up and be alive to this responsibility and make a change. “We consider you as our true son who has always make us proud, you have been a father to orphans and a husband to widows. This is a pay back time” a delegate emphasized.
The woman described him as an ocean of philanthropism. Stating that his ambition reflects the aspirations of the people of Dekina LGA.
While responding, Sheik stated that he knew he was at home. He added that as a young man, he was bless beyond his expectations. “Having seen how backward my constituency is, I am ready to lead the change that you aspire. This I vouch on my honour with all sincerity”.
He noted that the state of the roads leading to Dekina and Bassa were in comatose, owing to the topography of the region, which housed so many gullies. He asked the people not to blame state government on this predicament because he was aware that projects of such magnitude was to be initiated from the ecological fund which was established since 1981 to take care of major areas of erosion.
It’s saddening to note that the constituency has never enjoy such fund. He, however, promised to lobby his fellow legislators in collaboration with state and local government to ensure that the project is initiated and completed in his first three years as a legislator by the special grace of Almighty God.
Sheik Ibrahim Jibril thanked the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and his government for leading a new generation of leaders dominated by youths and women. He described the Kogi State Governor as a man of youth, a colossus, full of energy who has made the people of Kogi State very proud because of his ambition to lead our country. He urge everyone irrespective of party biases to rally round the Governor and make this history.
In conclusion, Sheik Ibrahim Jibril assured his people that his formal declaration will come next week and they will be properly informed to grace the occasion.
