Jigawa flood: Setting records straight

The big question is whether the writer is propelled by a genuine desire for change as he seems to want us to believe. It is true that the electorates must be mobilized and enlightened to appreciate their true position in the scheme of things, but not when such position is not grounded with the realities […]

The big question is whether the writer is propelled by a genuine desire for change as he seems to want us to believe. It is true that the electorates must be mobilized and enlightened to appreciate their true position in the scheme of things, but not when such position is not grounded with the realities on ground, and not when verifiable facts provide proofs that suggest otherwise.

The writer said: “We were recently faced with a tragic natural disaster of flood, but we were not accorded a presidential visit as done to the people of Zamfara and Lagos state.”  Imagine how spurious such an argument is! For the record, Jigawa state had received N850 million from the federal government, corporate bodies and individuals, with the federal government donating N700 million.  However, in as much as the flood disaster that plagued part of Jigawa was regrettable, we can see that many are still short sighted in their argument as to the role played by Hon. Uballe. When has a member representing a constituent whose major occupation is to make law become a lobbyist just for the president to glorify a natural disaster? And when has the president become duty bound to grace everywhere it occurs even if he is grappling with other urgent national matters?  But if the writer cares to know, our brothers and sisters who fall victim to these natural disasters cut across the country, and none to the best of my knowledge including Jigawa State fell short of both government and private intervention. Even the writer has a role to play, not apportioning blames. That is how to be patriotic.

The writer also said: “Considering the principle of federal character policy, there are many vacancies meant for our people at the federal level but these spaces were filled up by people from neighboring states, not because we don’t have qualified people to fill such position, but because we lack the force at the National Assembly to oil the wheel to make things happen.” Now, let’s put these records straight and if the federal character is anything to go by, is it possible for the quotas meant for the people of Jigawa State to be filled by another state when there are qualified people from Jigawa?  While I do not in any way intend to praise Hon. Uballe the man, I can attest, have provided more than a hundred jobs not only to members of his constituency but to other indigent people that came his way. What else do we expect from a man whose constitutional responsibility is not to create jobs? ole.

Aliyu Mohammad Rabiu writes from Abuja. [email protected]