Is Senator Muntari Dandutse only representing himself?

Senator Muntari Muhammad Dandutse currently represents Katsina South Senatorial District (Funtua Zone) in the National Assembly. He is serving his first term in the Senate after serving three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives.  As we all know, the main responsibilities of a lawmaker include sponsoring bills that improve the lives of constituents, facilitating […]

Senator Muntari Muhammad Dandutse currently represents Katsina South Senatorial District (Funtua Zone) in the National Assembly. He is serving his first term in the Senate after serving three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives. 

As we all know, the main responsibilities of a lawmaker include sponsoring bills that improve the lives of constituents, facilitating constituency projects in the areas they represent, and—although not constitutionally mandated—assisting constituents in securing employment due to the high unemployment rate in the country. Unfortunately, this last function has become an expected norm. 

While I do not doubt Senator Dandutse’s understanding of these responsibilities, I hold him accountable for neglecting them. Funtua, the heart of Katsina South Senatorial District, is among the most insecurity-prone areas in our state. Our communities have long suffered from persistent insecurity, including rampant banditry and, more recently, a disturbing increase in phone snatching. 

One would expect our senator to rise in the Red Chamber and sponsor—or at least co-sponsor—bills aimed at tackling banditry and restoring peace to our communities. Disappointingly, Senator Dandutse has failed to do so. Despite several attempts to engage him through both written and verbal communications, and his repeated promises to take action, no meaningful or decisive steps have been taken. Instead, we are witnessing a resurgence of these problems, now appearing in new and more troubling forms.

 In addition, Senator Dandutse is the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund. This is a strategic position that should allow him to facilitate scholarships, employment opportunities, skills acquisition programs, capacity-building workshops, and other forms of empowerment for his constituents and the people of Katsina State at large. Sadly, none of these benefits have materialised. His countless unfulfilled promises have left many feeling misled and disappointed.

 Now, with two of his four-year term already gone, and preparations for the next election expected to begin later this year or early next year, we are left wondering: when will Senator Dandutse begin to sponsor bills in the Senate? So far, not a single bill has come from him. We have seen senators in neighboring states implement meaningful constituency projects—when will ours do the same? 

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, Senator Dandutse should be in a strong position to facilitate jobs, scholarships, and academic opportunities. Yet, so far, there is no known beneficiary—locally or internationally—of any scholarship linked to his efforts. 

If Senator Dandutse is not too ashamed to beg for our votes during campaigns, then he should not be too proud to fulfill his responsibilities and deliver on his promises.

 

Haruna Hassan, an advocate of good governance, writes from Funtua, Katsina State.