Bomba Dauda
Recently, the Honourable Member of the House of Representatives, representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Ekene Adams made a political statement in Hausa language via his Facebook handle, which went viral. Below is the English translated version:
“We don’t think about 2027 because 2027 belongs to God, we pray that God will give us the ability to discharge this burden that has been given to us… But we welcome everyone who will come and help our community to reduce our work, start by distributing 5,000 grinders, 3,000 sewing machines, generators, cars, and other empowerment programs.. They should reduce our work like how I reduced some people’s work in the past.. 2027 is in God’s hand. We are focused on the job at hand.”
The statement is akin to what social media users often call, “the post get owner. ” Be it as it may, Ekene was referring to politicians in his constituency who are flexing their political muscle to contest his position come 2027.
Over the weekend, Gurara Accord went on an inquest within Chikun/Kajuru constituency to ascertain the politician that the comment actually targeted at. We spoke to various people, and they share their suspicion on the perceived Ekene’s target. The majority of people that we sought their views believe that the comment was targeted at Hon. Olanrewaju Larry Ekundina.
However, the comment dominates political discussions in Chikun/Kajuru. While both Ekene supporters and others believe that the comment was not a mere one, those in the camp of Hon. Olanrewaju Larry Ekundina, the Mabudin Kajuru, Dan Majen Kufana, and Sadaukin Chikun dismissed the statement with a wave of hand.
When asked about what Ekene demanded his political rivals to do and I quote: “.. everyone who will come and help our community to reduce our work, start by distributing 5,000 grinders, 3,000 sewing bikes, generators, cars, and other empowerment programs.”
A close political associate of Ekundina who spoke to Gurara Accord on the ground of anonymity, said, Ekene’s statement has no effect on what they are doing and on who they are marketing to contest his position in 2027.
Hon. Olanrewaju Larry Ekundina
“Ekundina is the only strong political voice now in Chikun/Kajuru that Ekene believes is his strangest contender. However, political activities across the country have been suspended for now. What we are doing is economic empowerment of our people. We don’t copy and paste. We are intelligent and smart, and we have our blueprint and template. We are not lacking in innovative thinking. As such, we are not in the fold of those that Ekene can tell us what to do. He should concentrate his energy on sponsoring bills on the flow of the house that will have direct bearing on the people of his constituency. This is not time for politics. It is time for delivering on his mandate,” he said.
He added that this is the clear display of political naivety. No two politicians who have the same strategy and we can’t use a template that Ekene has used, we are coming up with something new that is geared towards human capital development and social mobility in Chikun/Kajuru constituency. Wait and see. We remain focused, can”t be distracted.
