Africa
Forget the Defection, Focus on Representation -By Umar Sani Naallah
For Kaduna South Federal Constituency to experience genuine progress, its representative must prioritize effective lawmaking, advocacy, and oversight. The time has come for constituents to demand more; more accountability, more participation, and more meaningful engagement in national discourse.
The political atmosphere in Kaduna South Federal Constituency was recently stirred by the defection of Hon. Hussaini Abdulkarim Ahmed, politically known as “Kero” from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmaker attributed his decision to unresolved internal conflicts within the PDP, rather than any failure of the party in serving the people.
As expected, the development has generated considerable public debate. Some observers have speculated that the move was influenced by promises of a direct ticket and alleged financial inducements. However, while these political conjectures continue to dominate public discussion, it is imperative that attention be redirected to a more substantive issue: the quality of representation delivered by the member.
The essence of legislative representation transcends party affiliation. What should matter most to citizens is not the platform a legislator belongs to, but the value he brings to the legislative process. A federal lawmaker is primarily expected to sponsor bills, contribute to debates, and advocate policies that reflect the interests of his constituents.
Regrettably, Hon. Kero has yet to present a single bill nor contribute meaningfully to any debate of the National Assembly since his election. His most visible activities have been the distribution of cars and motorcycles to party supporters, a practice that may appeal politically but does little to advance the socio-economic wellbeing of the larger constituency.
It is acknowledged that he has facilitated the installation of solar street lights and boreholes in some communities. While commendable, such interventions fall within the scope of executive functions rather than legislative accomplishments. Constituency projects are valuable, but they should not overshadow the core responsibilities of a legislator.
A maturing democracy demands that citizens evaluate their representatives based on measurable legislative output and policy impact, not on political defections or token gestures. The fixation on party movements often distracts the electorate from assessing the real question of performance.
For Kaduna South Federal Constituency to experience genuine progress, its representative must prioritize effective lawmaking, advocacy, and oversight. The time has come for constituents to demand more; more accountability, more participation, and more meaningful engagement in national discourse.
The issue before us, therefore, is not the defection of Hon. Hussaini Abdulkarim Ahmed, but his record of representation. Until legislators are judged by their performance rather than their political alignment, defections will remain a mere change of colour, not a change in service to the people.
Umar Sani Naallah is a good governance advocate, and can be reached via sunaallah07@gmail.com
