Following the successful handover of baton from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequent inauguration of the 10th National Assembly the attention of most Nigerians have now shifted to those elected to see how they would impact positively on the electorate as promised during electioneering.
Of all those elected in the current political dispensation more attention is focused on members of the National Assembly to see if they can make a difference and live up to expectations, considering the disappointing performances of the 9th Assembly, which was a rubber stamp of the executive.
The legislature is the most important arm of government in a democracy because without it democracy has lost its essence and value. It is for this reason that most people believe that the choice of those to represent them in the National Assembly should not be gambled.
It is in line with this thinking that the people of Nasarawa west decided to resist elitist imposition to vote for their best brain, an outstanding politician and a dogged political fighter in the history of Nasarawa state politics – Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. Wadada has proved his political worth and has all it takes to provide effective and result-oriented representation as a senator.
Wadada’s historic return to the senate after exiting the House of Representatives 12 years ago is seen as a “return of excellence and triumph of light over darkness’. It is the best choice made by the people of Nasarawa west since 1999 where a round peg is put in a round hole devoid of party or elitist consideration.
His election and inauguration as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the glare of those who play god in Nasarawa politics on the choices of their leaders have not only rekindled the hopes of his people after 12 years of bench warming in the senatorial district but also marked another phase in his political career and beginning of another historic journey to salvage the people of Nasarawa state come 2027 at the Shendam road Government House Lafia when the gubernatorial seat of the state will move to his zone.
The Wadada political tsunami that hit Nasarawa politics in 2023 elections in Nasarawa west is a tip of the iceberg on what will befall the self-acclaimed political godfathers come 2027 as they have since outlived their usefulness in Nasarawa politics and should to be in retirement.
Unlike some of his colleagues, who are green horn in the 10th National Assembly, Wadada is an experienced and ranking lawmaker, having served for eight years with a laudable record of legislative breakthroughs, service to humanity, and trmedous achievements which have not been replicated since he left the National Assembly in 2011.
Sufficed it to say Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Sarkin Yakin Keffi) is a man of destiny with a magic wand of springing surprises when given the opportunity to serve. He leaves one agape, marveling at his sheer brilliance and the secret behind his successes. This has continued to endear him to the electorate and define his political career. Unlike other conventional politicians who see public office as an end rather than a means to an end, the Sarkin Yakin Keffi ventured into politics after a successful accomplishment in the private sector, carving a niche for himself in the business world. The love of his people and their development forced him to quit his lucrative businesses in the private sector to represent them in the House of Representatives.
He hit the political landscape of Nasarawa state like a thunderstorm, contesting for the House of Representatives seat of Keffi/Karu/Kokona constituency on the platform of the PDP. Wadada defeated the then incumbent lawmaker at the PDP primaries and subsequently won the general election to the House of Representatives in 2003.
Having come to the National Assembly fully prepared at a time when all hopes were lost and with a defined mission, high skills and determination to leave his footprints on the sands of time, Ahmed Wadada hit the ground running and proved his mettle in legislative representation, making his time the best ever in the history of his people.
He gave his people true dividend of democracy, effective representation that was second to none in the history of the constituency and demonstrated high level of competency, credibility and intellectual prowess anchored on patriotism, love for humanity and passion for development. He became a shining light in the House of Representatives, endearing him to colleagues and Nigerians who hold him in high esteem.
He brought honour, dignity and respect not only to his constituency but Nasarawa state as a whole with his vibrancy, oratory, frequent and brilliant contributions to the legislative business in the green chamber and always championing the cause of his people and making their voice heard and defending the cause of democracy, good governance.
Wadada also sponsored many bills and motions that added value to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, deepened the country’s democracy, resuscitated the financial sector, enhanced transparency and accountability in government and brought dividends of democracy to Nigerians and his people.
Some of his bills include Federal Capital Territory Development Agency Bill, Tobacco Control Bill 2004, Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registration Bill 2005, Investment and Security Tribunal Bill 2005, FCT Satellite Towns Development Commission Bill, among others.
In terms of development projects, he did not disappoint the people of his constituency with remarkable achievements in the education and health sectors, roads construction, water supply, skills acquisition, empowerment, poverty reduction, among others, adjudged to be unprecedented in the history of the constituency.
As a senator, the people of Nasarawa west look forward to another era of people-centred representation and return of the good time they experienced between 2003 and 2011. Already, he has promised to surpass his earlier achievements in the House of Representatives, assuring his people of better days ahead just as he appoints 59 special assistants across all the electoral wards of his district.
“I made a pledge during the campaign period that I will redouble efforts to provide quality representation for the people of Nasarawa west. The expectations of the people will not be treated differently from when I was in the House of Representatives 12 years ago. I will improve upon it by give more quality representation. They are not new to my style of leadership and they also know what I have done, and what I can do, which insha Allahu I will not fail them,” he said.
As he begin this historic journey that marks another watershed in his political career most people in his senatorial district believe that destiny has provided him with another golden opportunity to set a new record in the history of representative democracy not only in Nasarawa state but also across Nigeria.
Abari writes from Lafia, Nasarawa state.
