Hon. Joshua Audu Gana, the House of Representatives member for Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Constituency in Niger State, has told his constituents that he will not engage in corruption to fulfill their demands.
During a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Mokwa local government area on Tuesday, April 1, Gana addressed growing dissatisfaction with his performance.
Some stakeholders, including PDP local government Chairman Suleiman Kupanti, expressed disappointment over his stewardship. In response, Gana, visibly upset, reminded them that he is not God and cannot solve all their problems.
He explained that many of their expectations were beyond his responsibilities, as governance operates in different levels. He assured them that he would channel their concerns to the right authorities.
“I thank God that I am not God. I cannot answer all your prayers. It is only God who will answer all your prayers because the complaints of the people are prayers to God. When you want to score anyone, you will need to understand public office. The money in public office is not my father’s money; it is not my personal money; it is government money.
They know me, I be old soldier, I no dey fear anything for this life. I am not afraid of anything except God. If you want to score me, go and check the national budget, check the items that fall under Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency and the allocation. Go and check if the projects were 100 per cent funded, then you can come and ask me about it and that is when you can score me.
But now, when no money has been provided by the federal government, you want me to go and steal? My father is not a thief, none of my family is a thief, and you people will not make me a thief. Whether you try from heaven to earth, I cannot go and steal for what is not provided.”
Gana also mentioned that, as an opposition member, he may not have received funds for constituency projects.
“The party in rulership today is APC and I am in the opposition. When you make a comparison of now to what has happened before, it is different. When you compare one legislator in an APC-ruled government to when PDP was in power, then you are a bad examiner” he said
However, his remarks did not sit well with the constituents, who urged him to stop making excuses and focus on delivering results. They made it clear that they would not tolerate incompetence.
“This is not a politician. There is no wisdom in his speech. This one is just blowing grammar, is this how to respond to people as a politician? You are our representative and we’ll continue to scorn you. If you can’t continue leave since you are lamenting about not being given money for projects in your constituency. Respect is not bought is earned your human relation tells more about you.” a resident said
This exchange highlights the challenges lawmakers face in managing expectations while operating within political and financial constraints.
