Since the return to representative democracy in 1999, the good people of Dekina/Bassa federal constituency have been yearning for effective and efficient representation at the national level with little success.
In comparison with other constituencies in the state, the people of Dekina/Bassa have usually sent individuals to the national assembly who have pursued their narrow rather than the broad interest of those they were sent to represent.
The Dekina/Bassa federal constituency – a region rich in resources and human capital – is one of the least developed constituency in the state.
Recently, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) earmarked N621.23bn for the construction of 21 federal roads in the country. Kwara and Niger states were the major beneficiaries while Kogi state was completely left out. This is a state that have lawmakers in the national assembly and even worst, the Shintaku-Ayingba federal road is not in a state of good repair but yet, the lawmaker representing the people of this constituency did not lobby to have this strategic road listed among the roads earmarked for reconstruction.
This and many more reasons has been behind the clamour for a youthful and purposeful representation of the constituency. Some have argued that for it to become a reality, the people of the constituency will have to chose from the very best amongst them. A candidate who has a track record of standing up to the tyrannical government of Governor Yahaya Bello and his anti people policies. A candidate who knows his onion and is vocal enough to give the good people of Dekina/Bassa federal constituency a voice in the national assembly. A candidate who will put the interest of his constituency above his and give APC (a party that has done more harm than good to the constituency and the state at large.
It is generally understood that among those aspiring to be the member to represent the people of Dekina/Bassa federal constituency come 2023, Usman Okai Austin CNA is said to be the most popular candidate on the ground. To a dispassionate observer like me, the reasons why he is popular is not far fetched. This is a man that has been in the business of pointing out the deficiencies of the APC led administration in the state and at the federal level.
It is said that he is the only important opposition voice in the state. His ability to carry his people along, empathize with them and fight for their cause when need be explains why he is an household name in the state and his constituency.
At a time when Dekina/Bassa federal constituency is suffering from chronic representation crisis, Usman Okai Austin CNA represents the face of hope. There’s no better time to rescue the people of the constituency from the chains of poor representation than now and it starts by putting square pegs in square holes.
– Abubakar Rabiu writes from Dekina.
