What my aspiration means for Ankpa/Omala/ Olamaboro Federal Constituency – Hajiya Deen

HAJIYA HABIBA DEEN, is aspiring to represent the Ankpa/Omala/ Olamaboro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. In this interview with CHAMBA SIMEH, she speaks on what the representation would mean for her constituents
The saying in town is that you have an ambition of going to the House of Reps. How true is it? It is no longer a wish but this ambitious is borne out of the love for my people. If you need to know, I have declared for the seat of the House of Reps under the PDP. Why the House of Representatives? Repetition of a class is a sign of failure. I have represented my people in the last 4 years in the State House of Assembly, an assessment acknowledged by all. My performance in the House at the state level has shown that in a representative democracy, the voice of the people can be heard clearly by the effectiveness, shrewdness and sagacity of the member of that House representing a certain set of people. I decided by the calling of my people to move to the next level and that is the House of Representatives.
Can you candidly assess the benefits to your people during your time in the Kogi state House of Assembly? Though universally, the work of a representative is to make good laws that will change and enhance the people’s welfare. In recognisance of this, the people expect as part of the duty of a member of a House lobbying and execution of developmental projects. I think I can say without any fear of contradictions that I performed excellently. If the people of AnkpaOmala Olamaboro are given the chance to acknowledge this feat of mine 100 times through their vote, they would show you that I have even surpassed expectations. I have introduced so many bills and sponsored motions for the good of my people and in the area of lobbying and execution of projects, I think I brought development in its physicality to my people.
What do your ambition to go to the House of Representatives entails for your people? Oh. A lot. My people know me and they know what I stand for all my life. My basic principles and leitmotivs in life is the love for my people. The constituency needs a genuine voice, a voice that really signifies the hope of the people and above all a voice that connotes the majority views of a people. A voice that is genuine and not individualistic is what I represent. I know my people inside out and through the mechanism of a town hall syndrome I shall acknowledged their views, what they wants etc. Rather than what has hitherto being happening: Reps speaking for themselves and sponsor rather than the people. Secondly, the word lobbing is not a crime in a representative democracy, I s h a l l use my vast contact and experience to bring in developmental projects for the good and welfare of the people.
Our people have demonstrated in the past and are not different now that they know a leader and a voice when they see one and that arouse their calling for me to represent them and I am ready. I have laid the basic foundational stone for development of our constituency. I believe that the fruits of that effort have started germinating for all to see. I shall be coming to make greater efforts and deliberate concise efforts to make this developmental efforts glaring for all to see in its physicality. That is my motivation for going to the House of Representatives. My people still call me loud and clear. The people are my king and I am their princess. I shall work tirelessly to wipe the tears of underdevelopment from the land
What in your opinion is the view of godfathers and the electorate in your constituency about your ambition? I do not subscribe to the wording of godfatherism in politics. But basically politics, like in all areas of human endeavours, has leaders whose opinions are respected because of their experience and age, to this I totally agree. Today, this constituency have been blessed by the fact that it has produced two term leader and governor in the person of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. This is a man whose experience about issues in the state generally cannot be ignored by any politician. It is basically germane and expedient that I consult this man of valour for advice and blessings. Above all, I have consulted him and by his grace he has given the go ahead to contest. I have in the consultation process met with the Muslims, Christians, opinion leaders, women groups, youth groups and party leaders. They can confirm to you that their response have been excellent.
What about the other contestants like the two son of Ibrahim Idris? The intricacies in politics are hard to tell. Everybody in this constituency has a right to vote and be voted for. Politics should not be a do or die affair but a veritable tool for the development of a people. The people have the right to choose who represents them. I have meet virtually all the contestants and the PDP as a family have assured us that a new PDP is in the offing and all shall be given a level playing field to contest. I shall in the spirit of democracy let the people decide. I am optimistic that we shall let the people decide with their votes and I am optimistic that I shall win.
Are you proud of Kogi state right now? The state and its people, yes but the government no. I have nothing against the personality of the governor of the state but based on performance and development of the state our people are crying and lamenting. Our people expect the best from its leaders. The failure of the state APC government is glaring for all to see. This is not a contradiction but a fact attributed to by all.
We learnt your people felt your absence. Why abandoning the people? I am a human being. I did not deliberately abandon my people. I went for political holiday to take stock. My people, I am very sorry if you felt abandoned by me but I am back stronger and better. Some things happen for lessons to be learnt. I have learnt mine and I am ready to serve the people.
Who is your political godfather and why? It is important we put this to a stop once and for all. I shall say here the truth without minding the mindset of a pessimistic few. I believe God only gives power to human beings and he takes power also when it pleases him. We are Muslims and this is one of the basic beliefs in Islam which cannot be controverted. My god father in life is the almighty God. I have been mentored by a godfather in politics, I say this unapologetically to anyone, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris is a political institutions ask anyone who has come in contact with him. I wish I have the panache, charisma and above all the nuance of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.
In a nutshell, what I am saying is Alhaji Ibrahim Idris is my mentor. But above Alhaji Ibrahim Idris is not the people who I shall serve. They coronate, who it pleases them as leader and representative. The electorate power cannot be equated with a personality. I want the people to judge me by my personal performances and love for my people. Hajiya Habiba is a politician who wins elections by the