By Alh. Abdulrasheed Haruna.
Before now, I cannot remember the last time I commented on issues relating to who should represent us at the National Assembly, whether in the Senate or the House of Representatives. My interest in politics has mostly been focused on state elections. As an Ebira person, like many others from our land, the governorship of Kogi State has always been a matter of deep emotional investment. This is largely because of the long-standing insults and doubts from some quarters that Ebira people cannot produce a governor of the state. Naturally, that challenge has made many of us pay closer attention to state politics.
However, recent developments have convinced me that representation at the federal level deserves equal attention. Of course, as believers, we know that Allah ultimately has the final decision, and no one can question His will. But as citizens, we still have a responsibility to observe, evaluate, and support leadership that genuinely serves the people.
Although I am not home-based, I remain connected to home through relatives and friends who constantly share updates about developments in our land. Over the years, I have listened to countless discussions comparing leaders and their performances. Yet, I cannot recall a time when people across different political divides unanimously agreed that a representative had performed better than his predecessors, until now.
From the ruling party to the opposition, many voices seem to converge on one conclusion: Hon. Ozigi Muhammad Tijani has done exceptionally well as the representative of Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
What surprised me even more is that this recognition goes beyond those living at home. Many Ebira people in the diaspora,people who are not direct beneficiaries of constituency projects, have also acknowledged his efforts. That alone speaks volumes. When people who are far away from the immediate benefits still testify to a leader’s performance, it suggests that the impact is both visible and meaningful.
I paid particular attention to his speech on NTA24 during the empowerment where he highlighted several achievements recorded within his few years in office. Listening to him speak, it became clear that he has not only represented his party well but has also projected our constituency, and indeed Kogi State, in a positive light.
A friend of mine, a committed partisan, called me shortly after and said something that struck me deeply. He said that a House of Representatives member from our constituency had accomplished things that many first-time lawmakers in his own state could not achieve. Hearing that from someone outside our immediate political environment made me realize that performance speaks louder than political affiliation.
For those of us living outside our homeland, the performance of our leaders matters more than many people realize. We may not directly benefit from constituency projects, but we carry the identity of our land wherever we go. When our representatives perform poorly, we feel the embarrassment in conversations with colleagues and friends from other states. Likewise, when they perform well, we share in the pride.
Recently, I also came across conversations on social media showing how the achievements of Hon. Tijani (popularly known as Hon. TAO) are setting a benchmark within Ebiraland. Some of his colleagues are now being compared to him, not out of hostility, but because performance naturally creates a standard.
And this is exactly what we want.
Leadership should create reference points. When one person performs well, others should feel compelled to rise to the same level or even surpass it. In that sense, Hon. TAO’s work is not just about projects or programs; it is about raising expectations and redefining what representation should look like in our constituency.
But recognition alone is not enough.
I want to make a sincere appeal to our people at home. The only meaningful way to encourage such performance is through consistent support. It is not enough to praise a leader today and replace him tomorrow when the time for elections comes. Doing so sends the wrong message, that good work is not valued.
If we truly want better leadership, we must reward those who deliver results. Supporting a performing representative to return to office sends a powerful signal to other politicians: excellence will be rewarded by the people.
We have already seen this model elsewhere in Kogi State. Take the example of Hon. Leke Abejide from Kogi West. Despite being in an opposition party, his people consistently support him because they believe he is delivering on his mandate. By doing so, they have shown that what matters most to them is performance, not merely party affiliation.
In our case, the situation is even simpler. Our representative belongs to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Supporting him does not create any conflict between performance and party alignment.
Rather, it strengthens both.
Backing Hon. Ozigi Muhammad Tijani will not only encourage him to do more but will also send a message across our political landscape that the result of good work is more work.
Voting out a performing leader, on the other hand, risks telling future leaders that excellence is not necessary because performance does not guarantee public support.
Hon. TAO’s recent achievements have not only projected his party positively; they have also elevated the image of our constituency and Ebiraland as a whole. At a time when our people seek respect and recognition within the broader political space of Kogi State, such representation matters greatly.
The choice before us is simple:
If we truly want capable hands to continue serving our land, we must be willing to recognize, reward, and sustain good leadership.
Anything less would contradict the very progress we claim to desire.
– Alh. Abdulrasheed Haruna writes from Okene.
