By Bashir Rabe Mani
Democracy is the government of the people, for the people and by the people. This is by far the widely and globally accepted definition of democracy.
It is also the vastly accepted system of government across the world. Any other form of leadership, except democracy is therefore vehemently rejected.
It is certainly unarguable that democracy brings developments to nation states and societies as under it, the electorate entrust their mandates to their elected representatives who are in turn expected to hold them only in trust.
This means that they should exercise such mandates diligently, piously, transparently and honestly. This should aptly translate to the routine provision of the direly needed dividends of democracy to their constituents and or electorate who braved all the odds and trooped to the various polling centres and cast their votes for them.
Nigeria has happily remained on the democratic trajectory since 1999, defying the hitherto occasional incursions of the military into the nation’s democratic landscape.
It is therefore heartwarming that there have been steady successful civilians to civilians democratic transitions in the country from 1999 to date.
In this direction, the just concluded 2023 general electrons had produced a brand new set of democratically elected leaders at all levels in the country who have since swung into action, with a view to diligently discharge their mandates.
This means that the electorate are bound to reap and reap more dividends of democracy to the citizenry, hence better their lots and alleviate their suffering. This will certainly bolster their confidence in democracy, the political parties and their flag bearers.
The 2023 elections had therefore produced one of such indefatigable, courageous and patriotic leaders in the person of Hon. Nasiru Shehu Bodinga popularly known as Bobo. He represents Bodinga/Dange-Shuni/Tureta Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the ruling APC.
Alhaji Nasiru Shehu Bodinga is not however a new comer to public service. The consummate, prolific and dogged technocrat- cum- business tycoon has been involved in the affairs of diligently and sustainably assisting the indigent members of the society in various ways. So, his election provided a much higher pedestal to sustain the happy tempo.
It was therefore not surprising when barely three weeks after his inauguration in the nation’s capital, Abuja, Alhaji Nasiru Shehu Bodinga donated his widow’s mite to his constituents. Indeed on that historic day, all roads led to Bodinga town, the headquarters of Bodinga Loca Government of Sokoto State to be part of history making.
it was on that epochal day that Alhaji Nasiru Shehu Bodinga, aka Bobo doled out vehicles, motorcycles, cash to his constituents as a mark of honour and appreciation for electing him into the exalted House of Representatives.
The unparalleled gesture was his humble way of showing gratitude to the Almighty Allah and his constituents for his victory at the 2023 polls.
Hon. Nasiru Shehu Bodinga represents Bodinga/Dange-Shuni/Tureta Federal Constituency of the platform of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The epoch event that was conducted at the historic Bodinga town, headquarters of Bodinga Local Government attracted various dignitaries, party leaders and members from across the state.
The largesse was doled out to the elated beneficiaries barely three weeks after the inauguration of the newly-elected members of the National Assembly.
The items distributed included 43 motorcycles to the leaders and members of the party in the three local governments. In the same vein, a vehicle was given to each of the Chairmen of APC in the three local governments, as well as a vehicle to the women leader in Sokoto South Senatorial District. Similarly, N500,000 was doled out to each of the women leaders in the three local governments, among others.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State described the gesture by Alhaji Nasiru Shehu Bodinga as unparalleled and worthy of emulation. He, therefore, challenged other National and State Assembly members to follow suit, with a view to further alleviating the suffering of the people.
Aliyu reiterated his unwavering commitment to religiously implement his nine-point agenda unveiled during his campaigns. The governor vowed that his administration would continue to reel out myriad of plausible programnes and policies to provide the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
According to him, his administration remains resolute in fulfilling all his campaign promises, saying, “I know all these promises and we have already swung into action to redeem them.”
Speaking at the event, the Guest of Honour and leader of the party on the State, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako, Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, lauded the bold move by the lawmaker just few days after assuming duty.
Wamakko, a former Governor of Sokoto State, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District on the platform of APC urged other lawmakers to take a cue from Nasiru Shehu, with a view to assisting the less privileged members of the society.
He said: “We should all do more to assist the masses to ameliorate their suffering as this is the essence of democracy and being in leadership positions. “We all have to do this passionately as the people are in dire need of help.”
The Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Katukan Sokoto, also commended the lawmaker for the gesture.
Dingyadi said that it would go along way in alleviating the travails of the beneficiaries, urging other elected and appointed officials to emulate him.
Other speakers at the event included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, State APC Chairman, Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida and that of Bodinga Local Government, among others. They all lauded Nasiru Shehu Bodinga for his fast move to come to the aid of his constituents.
A cross section of the beneficiaries commended Bobo for the gesture and urged other lawmakers to emulate him.
In his speech, the donor, Alhaji Nasiru Shehu Bodinga (Bobo), said that that the event was to appreciate his constituents for reposing tremendous confidence on him by electing him.
The lawmaker promised never to fail his constituents, his party and its leadership in the state.
Nasiru Shehu Bodinga also promised to provide quality representation, with a view to attracting collosal development to his constituency, Sokoto State and Nigeria in general.
Indeed, the people of Bodinga/ Dange-Shuni/Tureta Federal Constituency in Sokoto State cannot be more luckier than having a man of the people, a man of his words and a man of action, Alhaji Nasiru Shehu Bodinga aka Bobo as the member representing them in the Green Chamber.
The reliable, tested and trusted MP is certainly the most qualified to represent them so as to continue dishing out the much needed dividends of democracy to the constituents who have made the right choice by voting him into office.
Mani, a Journalist writes from Area 1, Abuja.
