A fiery exchange erupted in Mokwa on Tuesday as Hon. Joshua Audu Gana, the House of Representatives member representing the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Constituency, vehemently defended his performance against a barrage of criticism from local Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders. The lawmaker did not mince words, declaring he would not resort to theft to satisfy the demands of his constituents.
The confrontation, witnessed by Naija News, saw Gana address the concerns raised by PDP stalwarts, including the local government Chairman, Suleiman Kupanti, who had voiced their dissatisfaction with his stewardship. A visibly agitated Gana asserted that the expectations placed upon him were unrealistic and often misdirected.
“I thank God that I am not God,” Gana declared, emphasizing the limitations of his office. “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.”
He further pointed out a perceived lack of understanding among his constituents regarding the different levels of government and the scope of his responsibilities. “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.”
The crux of Gana’s defense rested on the assertion that being an opposition lawmaker in a country currently governed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) significantly impacted his ability to deliver constituency projects. He stated that funds for such projects may not have been allocated to him due to his party affiliation.
It was at this point that his tone became particularly impassioned. “But now, when no money has been provided by the federal government, you want me to go and steal?” he challenged. “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 urged his constituents to scrutinize the national budget and the specific allocations for the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency to gain a clearer understanding of the resources available to him. He argued that only after verifying the allocated funds could they fairly assess his performance.
Drawing a stark contrast between the current political climate and the past, when the PDP was in power, Gana cautioned against making direct comparisons. “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 concluded, leaving no doubt about his frustration with the criticism leveled against him. The lawmaker’s blunt refusal to engage in any form of impropriety to meet constituent demands has ignited a debate about the challenges faced by opposition lawmakers in Nigeria and the expectations placed upon them by their constituents.
“I Won’t Steal for You!” Angry Lawmaker Tells Disgruntled Constituents
