Are You Still Our Representative? Open Letter To Member Representing Miga – Jahun -By Umar Farouk Jahun

Dear Hon. Member,

I pray this letter reaches you in peace while you are resting in your queen-sized sofa bed or as you majestically sip your hot tea in order to build a strong immune system worthy of withstanding COVID-19. Before I proceed to the substantive issues, let me please remind you that, you represent all the Constituents of Miga and Jahun, not one other section, or anyone else. 

This is certainly may not the best way to reach you under normal circumstances. But, you will agree with me that you are solely responsible for having it this way by failing to establish formal and effective channels of communication between you and your constituents. You therefore, have to put up with this open letter for now. Since nothing is done by putting up your constituency office, then you should be ready to see these open letter reaching you through newspaper. 

I have had many reason to write to you in time past. Since this is my second letter, I am resolute (perhaps I call it mulish) and munificently capacitated to write as many letters as possible if prompt consideration isn’t given to the social issues, I am raising via this letter.

Sir, permit me to give you the stress to know, that as at the time of writing to you, I am neither a member nor an apologist of any political party, I have only asked the questions with a sense of responsibility conferred on me by my status as a ordinary Nigerian.
Now, to my substantive issues;

Our eloquent Honourable, as you are aware, apart from your main function of enacting Laws as Member of National Assembly, it is as well your responsibility to facilitate and lobby for developmental projects for your constituency. However, it is quite unfortunate that, Miga – Jahun has been deprived of your secondary functions. Your people are in serious need for many projects as well as human resources which will help create jobs and improve upon their living standards.

You are the leader and representative of my Constituency, So, I want to ask, on behalf of my fellow constituents what you have used with our monthly running cost for the last five years? In 8th march, 2019, the Punch Newspaper reported that each member of the National Assembly is collecting not less than N9Million monthly as their constituency running cost, N794.086:83 as a monthly salary and N9.4Million as an annual pay, also this was the same figure reported by RMFC in it’s Remuneration Package for Political, and Public Office Holders.Therefore, the cumulative amount for five years of the salary plus alloances will be about total to the tune of N1.151Billion. This is a lot of money which is capable of giving any Constituency a befitting facelift. We need answers. We seek for accountability, we should know how it has been used.

Again, as Nigeria continues the struggle to control the spread of COVID-19, what measures have you, as the people’s representative, put in place to curtail the spread of this deadly virus especially in our beloved constituency?

You must admit that very little if not nothing, has been heard from you in a form of your contribution towards the fight of COVID-19. Honourable, your silence on these serious and live-threatening development is very worrying. Kindly show leadership for that is what you were voted for.

Honourable Sir, I am more amazed about the  audacious steps you took in getting and developing the standard of your constituency reviewed to meeting their yearnings. But, may I remind you of the common aphorism, that what lies behind is history. There’ll definitely be something to remember us, all for. History still tells, posterity still judges. We shouldn’t enlarge the “purse” while the governed rots in abject poverty.

As leaders, you should learn to accept constructive criticism for that will bring the best out of you. You have received a number of criticisms, yet, you dared the status quo, to executing our proposed review. Politics is a big enterprise for the matured class of players, and these players must be seen showing a good sportsmanship by respecting the views and opinions expressed by all even when one disagrees with you on certain issues.

I have no doubts that your town-to-town engagements, during the last National Assembly electoral procedures should have made the indulgence to reading through this letter with an heart devoid of prejudice, known. If not, I hereby crave your indulgence to read through again, without any negative prognostication.

As I conclude, Sir, I have written to you in much respect to your dignified office, but I get my etiquette found wanting when issues become discomfiting, especially when the agitation become intense. It’s my personal decision to continue writing to you till my dirge is put into consideration.

In summary, I wishes to, by this letter, call you to order. You should see yourself as representative of a big Constituency at the National Assembly. You cannot afford to be an analogue member in a digital age. Learn from your colleague who made themselve available to the people. Therefore, make yourself available to your constituents and put up every necessary structure that your office requires in order to give the good people of Miga – Jahun the representation they deserve. I also implores you to count this a rare opportunity and endeavour to use it to be your very best. I believe that with your indulgence on the raised matter, you will give it a due consideration.

Perhaphs, I’m very sorry for giving you the rigours of reading through this long letter

Thank You!!

Umar writes from Jigawa. He is an academia, writer and weekly columnist. He can reach via +2347032843368.