Between Gurara Forum and Southern Kaduna NASS members

For those left out, the Forum, through its Chancellor, Vincent Bodam, in the press conference held in Kaduna, had passed a vote of no confidence on the law makers and dismissed them as non-performers undeserving of confidence reposed in them. The Gurara Forum, by the way, is an emerging interest group of strong-willed young fellows […]

For those left out, the Forum, through its Chancellor, Vincent Bodam, in the press conference held in Kaduna, had passed a vote of no confidence on the law makers and dismissed them as non-performers undeserving of confidence reposed in them.

The Gurara Forum, by the way, is an emerging interest group of strong-willed young fellows stubbornly determined to change the usual old culture of insensitivity, impunity and crass ineptitude by people in elected and appointed positions.

Taking a big advantage of emerging ICT trends, it has continued to grow in membership and influence, and has served as a quick information gathering and dissemination outlet that has shored up and sharpened the stream of consciousness usually uncommon among people in southern Kaduna.

Ever since Bodam opened that Pandora’s Box, an avalanche of reactions have continued to flow. While some protested openly, others did so via phone calls. Many opted to grumble while conversing with close friends, associates and aides, while others preferred the worst option – break the mirror by going for the forum’s jugular!

First to fire the salvo was Rep Yakubu Barde, representing Chikun/Kajuru, who quickly went on air to say that his constituency was not part of southern Kaduna and so he, could not have been among those said to have underperformed.

Barde, who spoke through one Fidelis Terry, in a radio progamme, said that he should be counted out of the Southern Zone as his Central Zone was happy with him.

He claimed to maintain a cordial working relationship with his constituents and had always briefed them on constituency projects and the stages of their implementation.

But, for many analysts, Barde’s reaction was politically wrong-headed and futuristically suicidal, because a big chunk of the forum members live and work in his constituency and could assess him. They could also be of most relevance if he ever wanted to be senator or governor.

Again, if indeed he was not involved in that classification, as he claimed, he didn’t need to even respond because no name was mentioned.

Another reaction came from one Vavan villagebou Joseph, who went more for the messenger rather than the message.

He tongue-lashed the forum’s executives for passing the vote of no confidence and declared their interests simply as self-serving.

“Before passing that vote of no confidence, did you ever examine yourself to see if people will not do same to you,’’ he asked, rather rhetorically.

Stung by the no confidence vote, some members say they will initiate newsletters to keep the populace abreast of their activities, while others believe that it was wrong for the forum to focus solely on the NASS members without equally beaming their search lights on other elected and appointed office holders.

A member told some youths last week that the GF declaration was simply too sweeping and over-generalized, and opined that the forum should have set up an independent team, which should have used some set benchmarks and parameters, to conduct some researches and come up with empirical facts before its final declaration.

“In fairness to the critics, methinks it was not right to focus solely on the NASS members because there are more dead woods in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. In fact, I know one that cannot read, cannot speak basic English, much less understand the roles and contribute meaningfully to any deliberation!

I have listened to a couple of them at occasions and suffered mental diarrhea!”

Again, the critics may also be right in arguing that it was a faulty premise for GF to adjudge the law makers as under-performers simply because they did not respond to letters advising them to present their report cards.

It is very rational to agree with the critics that such report cards would have been flowery and, therefore misleading.

To be fair to the NASS members, some of them have tried. Rep. Simon Arabo, my own representative from Kauru, and a fresher, for instance, appears responsive to some pressing scholarship and infrastructural needs of his people. Ditto Garba Sarkin-Noma, another freshman, who represents Jemaa/Sanga.

Rep Godfrey Gaiya is enjoying his pastime of robust contribution in the House, but many see it as the proverbial “wink in the dark’’ since he has not been in much touch with the constituents to gauge their moods.

Gwani, from every assessment, has gone back to his old ways after his politically sagacious Kaura constituency opted for political expediency over merit, to give him a fresh mandate. Not much has been heard of Adams Jagaba outside his role in the infamous 620,000 oil subsidy saga.

But like it or hate it, there is no doubt that the GF initiative in passing that vote of no confidence on non-performing leaders is a good move that has jolted the NASS members, and indeed other leaders in the area, unto the need for tangible actions.

Like Chancellor Bodam said at the press conference, democracy can only thrive if those entrusted with mandates, make it a duty to not only perform, but strive to ensure that the electorate is aware of their efforts, achievements and difficulties.

Clearly, the southern Kaduna people do not expect their elected representatives to solve all their problems, but it is legitimate for them to insist that they know what their elected representatives are doing, or not doing, for them.

The GF challenge is indeed a bold step and it is only natural that many had continued to land its boldness of purpose.

Currently, for instance, there is the burning debate over grazing bill before the NASS. It has high implications for Southern Kaduna. Ultimately, the NASS members will decide its fate. Many people are agitated, but no Southern Kaduna representative has deemed it necessary to brief the people so as to explain the issues involved and listen to their views before voting time.

Also, there have been massive floods, and attacks and one would expect NASS members to visit victims, commiserate with them, and possibly emulate their colleagues in other shores by offering some succour.

In place of such soothing steps, what we have heard are reports of many members, especially in the state house of assembly, conniving to divert fertilizer meant for the very poor.Tokan wrote in from Kaduna, and can be reached 08097042246