Defection bad for democracy, no inducement for me – Senator Bilbis
In this interview, Senator Ikra Bilbis, who represents Zamfara Central in the 10th National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), speaks on the wave of defections by opposition politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He also addresses allegations of financial inducements from the presidency. Excerpts: There is this […]
alhaji ikra aliyu bilbis
In this interview, Senator Ikra Bilbis, who represents Zamfara Central in the 10th National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), speaks on the wave of defections by opposition politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He also addresses allegations of financial inducements from the presidency. Excerpts:
There is this storm raging in the country. Is it governors? Is it members of the House of Reps? Senators? People are just decamping left, right and centre. I want to put this to you straight away—when are you decamping?
I’m not one of them. I’m not thinking about that. That’s not my priority.
What is your priority?
Yes, to deliver the good things to my people. You know. Don’t forget that right now I’m a senator representing Zamfara Central. I’m here to represent my people, the good people of Zamfara Central. Therefore, I’m here representing them very well in the National Assembly, particularly in the Senate.
So, the issue of decamping— I’m not thinking about that.
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It’s not on your table?
Not at all. That’s not my priority, like I said.
But some people believe that maybe if you join the ruling party, you will be guaranteed a return ticket, maybe to have some developmental projects for your people…
Who gives power? I’m asking—who gives power? God. I rely on Him and I depend on Him. No human being can give me power except Almighty Allah, and I depend on that.
I believe in principle and integrity, that’s all.
But how are you managing? Are you able to drive some development to your people, despite the fact that you are in the opposition party?
Of course. Have you forgotten? Recently, my bill has passed. It has gone through all the legislative processes from the Senate to the House of Representatives, and Mr President has even assented to the bill. That is the establishment of the Federal University of Health, Science and Technology. What else do you want me to do?
But we heard that these are some of the things that the president is using to actually induce legislators.
No. To be honest with you, to be fair to him, he has not even seen me.
He has not seen you to discuss this?
Honestly, he has not. He has not seen anybody, and nobody has spoken to me or talked to me on his behalf in respect of that.
But we heard that apart from financial inducement for legislators to defect, some who resist collecting money are given projects or things like the university they give you.
To be honest with you, I don’t know that. I’m not aware. Nobody approached me. Nobody talked to me. Probably, maybe they know me, people know me for my personal principles.
You have not been approached with money?
Nobody. I don’t think I can give anybody a place to do that.
But do you think it’s good, what is happening now—the massive defections?
Well, I pity those who embarked on doing that. Honestly speaking, it’s not good. It’s not healthy for democracy.