Aliyu Datti Yako is the lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency of Kano state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this Interview BENJAMIN UMUTEME, he lamented that for a long time, his constituency has been poorly represented.
You defeated the APC candidate in a re-run; what was the magic?
Firstly, it was the will of God, who made all things possible for me to be elected and I thank Him for the victory. Secondly, the victory is for my great party, the PDP, who ensured that victory was possible for me and I also want to thank the people of my constituency who elected me to represent them. The battle was not easy in the first place, but God ensured that our mandate was not stolen and I am grateful to Him. So, I am calling on my people to support me in prayers so as to represent them well at the National Assembly.
What were you doing before winning the election?
I was into business and politics. I do livestock production and farming, which has been sustaining me and has created jobs for youth in my constituency. I combine both agriculture and politics; so you can see I am a very busy man. I schedule my time for politics and farming so it keeps me busy; therefore, I hardly have time for myself. I divide my time for politics and farming and the little left is to be with my family and I thank God Almighty for that.
What is your legislative agenda for your constituency?
There are lots of things I would like to do for my people, because I have been looking such an opportunity for a long time and now that it has come I need to make proper use of it. My people have been crying for a leader that would give them quality representation here in the National Assembly, a leader that would be their voice at all times. They have been yearning for it for a long time and now that they have voted me to represent them I will do everything for them to be happy by the grace of God. What I need now is the grace of God to give them good and quality representation through legislation, with laws that would be beneficial to them at home and the state. So, I pray that I do my best to make laws that would benefit my people. For now I am just coming in and so I need a little time to study the workings of the National Assembly before knowing what to do. However, definitely there are so many things for me to do for them; that is why I will try as much as possible not to disappoint them and I am optimistic that before the end of my tenure they would have cause to smile. I have done it before when I served as their chairman of Kiru local government council and also as a commissioner in the state. I will still do it again and again for them this time God willing.
Do you have any particular area in mind?
As a farmer I have interest in agriculture, education and empowerment programmes. So, I will concentrate on them; therefore, my motions and bills will be focus on these areas. But first I also need to go home and sit with stakeholders to deliberate on what to do for the youth, men and women alike. I need to also hear from them because my work is to make laws that will be beneficial and also encourage the federal government to support them through constituency projects. I need to take time to work on it so as to sponsor bills or move motions for the benefit of the people I represent. They have suffered a lot and are backward in terms of constituency projects and unemployment. I have a lot of work to do for them because they have been poorly represented in time past in the National Assembly. That is why I need the support of my colleagues in the National Assembly to help me so that I will do something for my people. I know it is not going to be easy, but God will help me to do it.
How will you tackle constituency demands and its challenges?
Challenges are everywhere – not only in my constituency. The main issue is unemployment, poverty, insecurity and lots of them are happening on a daily basis in the country. So, there are challenges everywhere. God will help us to overcome them and I believe my people understand it too. My duty here is to make laws for the good of the country and my people as well as ensure that federal government’s presence is represented there through constituency projects. However, in the midst of these I will still be giving my support financially and skills acquisitions programmes so as to reduce their sufferings. Employment can also come in as well as other empowerment schemes along the line.
With the paucity of funds, how would you be able to achieve all these?
Like I said I am new here in the National Assembly, but with the little one is getting I need to make efforts. Whether there is paucity of funds or not, I need to do something for them. On the other hand, if there is understanding between you and your people and you are open to them they would move on with you. My doors are open for them both at home and here in the National Assembly; besides that I would be going home regularly to know their problems and listen to their advice. I will be working together with them without discrimination so as to bring development to them.
How many committees are you on?
There is none at the moment as I am still in the documentation process. I hope to round up soon, so that I will start the workings of the day as a lawmaker.
What’s your take on the current security situation in the country?
Government is continuity! I believe this one will do its own and go. The most important thing is that they should work hard and do the right thing. There should be transparency in everything. Government should help the people, particularly the rural poor, because they are suffering a lot. They should be assisted to grow so that people can live in happiness and feel the dividends of democracy.
Your advice for APC members in your constituency
My advice to them is for them to come and let us work together for the good of the people. They should also pray for me to succeed so that whatever I am doing for the constituency they would also benefit and partake in it. I cannot discriminate against them, but they should come so that we would all ensure that Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency is moved forward and be better in everything for the people to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
