The most apt definition of democracy by Abraham Lincoln, to wit, for the people, of the people, and by the people, has never been given a second thought until recently when Hon. Ismail Haruna Dabo contested and won convincingly the February 2023 National Assembly elections as member, House of Representatives, representing Toro federal constituency, Bauchi state. Many had poor perception about politics until his sojourn to change people’s mindset that politics remains the viable option to address their challenges. He traversed all the nooks and crannies of Toro touching lives of the poor and vulnerable.
His slogan of Hasken Zamani is now traveling like a wind in the forest in the constituency because of his love and admiration to those he represents .The last time he visited Tilden Fulani, Magama-Gumau, Nabordo and Zaranda communities was indeed memorable and a home coming as both the young and old were all out to welcome him. They believe in his mission and vision to transform Toro federal constituency to a better place for all. Many who share their opinion said, he is a different creature among the breed of politicians the local government has ever produced in recent times. He is someone that has never shied away from responsibilities and a good listener to the people at their point of the need.
It is based on the foregoing realities that he was turbaned as Talban Toro by Katukan Bauchi and Hakimin Kasar Toro in recognition of his community service in Toro local government area and beyond. Toro politics is now an entirely different ball game as he has succeeded in changing the antics of politics of self serving to politics of service to humanity and the people. After the first 100 days of his well deserved first term, Dabo has lived up to the expectations of the people, considering his steps and quick legislative interventions. He has supported in cash and in kind the local community vigilantes to help the mainstream securities agencies to curb the incessant security challenges.
By far, he remains the best performing member of the House of Representatives since the return of the Fourth Republic in 1999. His slogan “Hasken Zamani” signifies the light and the new beginning for the electorate. It is the light that brings hope to the hopeless and a voice to the voiceless.The Hausa song “Haske yazo aiki yazo “signifying the light has come and democracy dividends are now felt in just a 100 days on the saddle. No doubt, this phrase is gradually redeeming the lost glory of Toro politics being the largest in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole.
He stated in a very clear terms during his campaign that if elected, he will focus on improving the living standard of his people.This includes tackling insecurity, enhancing job creation, infrastructure development, education for the people, improve healthcare, develop agriculture and economic development through sound legislative interventions. He has kept his words by first appointing 76 legislative aides to bridge the communication gap between representatives and their constituents. It is in line with this vision that he distributed 3000 bags of fertiliser under the Haske Farmers Care across the 17 wards of Toro federal constituency.
As part of his efforts to enhance security architecture and framework for surveillance, he has flagged off the construction of a security office in Magama-Gumau. During the most unfortunate incidents of security challenges in Lame and Toro districts. He has reached out to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi state, the Inspector General of Police and other major stakeholders on the urgent need to deploy special security units to curb the incessant kidnappings following his condemnation of this ugly situation in national and international media.The interventions have so far brought the crime to the barest minimum and the response of the governor is acknowledged in a profound way.
His commitment to the accelerated growth of Toro federal constituency is deepening by the day and his contributions in this phase is acknowledges as per second per second. Considering the hardships being experienced as a result of fuel subsidy removal, he has rolled out food support programme for 1000 households. He has empowered 120 women under Haske Kudin Jari to the tune of N6m, a scheme he launched long before winning elections to curb increasing poverty and it is expected to cover the 17 wards in the near future. It was launched in Magama-Gumau of Toro district and the next will be in Lame district before eventually moving to Jama’a district for inclusivity. He has renovated over 150 boreholes across the constituency as an urgent step to make potable water available to all which has so far greatly reduced the level of typhoid and malaria cases.
There are pointers that Hon. Dabo will continue to wax stronger in politics and governance as the bill for an establishment of Federal Medical Centre Toro will be presented before the House of Representatives for first reading after the recess. When passed into law and assented to by Mr President, the bill will boost healthcare delivery which will reduce the travelling distance of Toro indigenes to JUTH and ABUTH teaching hospitals in Jos and Bauchi, respectively.
He is an optimist that does not ignore reality and those who think may sabotage his optimism towards redefine and changing the political narratives of Toro Federal Constituency for the benefits of all are just magical thinkers. Even in the face of adversity, he knows that something good will emerge and troubles give out a ray of hope and the one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable.
Toro federal constituency despite chunks of opportunities and our national presence at the centre, let’s not shy away from telling the good constituents that for the first time, under him, Toro politics is now a reference point in Bauchi state and the country at large. Every path of politics in Toro is a fair share of negative and positive sides. But what really matters is that becoming a political representative is an avenue to serve the people. He has leveraged on his position to come closer to his people, despite his schedules and enhancements, he has always devoted time to visits his constituents at the time of their joy and sorrow during weddings and for condolences.
His appointment as Adhoc Committee Chairman on Ecological Funds and Great Green wall by the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives Rt. Hon.Tajjudeen Abbas to investigate the Utilisation of Ecological Funds and Foreign donations by the agency for Great Green wall is not surprising due his rich history of transparency and accountability in governance. Though, he is a first timer yet he is found worthy of charing an adhoc committee.
He is also the deputy chairman, Public Assets. No doubt, he has proven to be a young man with great foresight who is dedicated to an emerging new Toro federal constituency.
He has proven to be an advocate of youths and women inclusion in governance where the light is blinking and is gradually redeeming our hopes for a better future that the unborn generation will be proud of. He is the change that the good citizens of Toro have been yearning for. In just 100 days, our archives are filled with the good track records of his achievements and still counting.
Awwal, SA Digital Media to the Hon. Member, writes from Tilden Fulani, Toro local government area, Bauchi state