By Adamu Hamza Marree Talum
Politics is often described as a game of numbers, and in such a game, the highest bidder is expected to emerge as the winner. However, in a free and fair political environment, the reverse should never be the case. Sadly, in the Guyuk/Shelleng Federal Constituency, political realities appear to have turned this principle upside down, where the lowest bidder sometimes emerges victorious through the abuse of political influence and impunity.
Hon. Sule Tekile has made enormous and undeniable contributions to the political development of the Guyuk/Shelleng Federal Constituency. For more than fifteen years, he has remained a household name and a familiar figure at the grassroots. His political relevance is not accidental; it is the result of years of building relationships, empowering people, and laying strong political foundations across the constituency.
Unfortunately, these efforts have repeatedly been frustrated by what many perceive as political impunity—a practice that undermines the principles of democracy and denies the people the opportunity to freely choose their preferred representative.
Hon. Tekile remains, in my view, one of the strongest political figures with the capacity and support to win the Guyuk/Shelleng Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. He made an attempt in 2023, but was persuaded to relinquish his ambition and make way for Hon. Kobi Ari Thimnu.
In 2027, Tekile returned with renewed determination and greater political momentum. Yet again, he was asked to step aside and make way for another candidate, popularly referred to as Mama Mai Transformer.
This development is particularly painful for the people of Shelleng Local Government Area because it could mean another twelve years without producing a member of the House of Representatives. For many well-meaning people of Shelleng, this is an unfortunate and frustrating reality.
To my greatest surprise, some individuals from Shelleng celebrated this political setback, viewing it through the lens of political rivalry rather than considering the broader interests of the constituency.
Beyond this, there is still uncertainty among many electorates about the candidate who will eventually emerge as the flag bearer of the Guyuk/Shelleng constituency. In my assessment, this amounts to a waste of a political ticket if the candidate lacks the capacity to secure substantial support across the wards of the constituency.
I vividly remember my tour of Guyuk Local Government Area as the Chairman of the Hon. Sule Tekile Youth Mobilization Team. During that visit, the people of Guyuk spoke clearly and passionately about the need to balance the political representation of the constituency. Their argument was simple: having spent eight years with the power without achieving the desired results, it was time for Shelleng to have an opportunity to produce the next representative.
However, the perceived influence of political impunity has now produced a candidate whom many believe may struggle to secure even her own polling unit. If this situation persists, it could seriously damage the political fortunes and democratic practice of the Guyuk/Shelleng Federal Constituency.
All indications suggest that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may be taking a significant political risk in Guyuk/Shelleng. If the concerns of the people are not carefully considered and addressed, the party could face serious consequences at the polls.
As the African proverb says, “When two brothers fight, a stranger reaps the harvest.”
The lesson is clear: political disagreements and internal rivalry should never be allowed to destroy the collective interest of the people. Guyuk and Shelleng must rise above personal interests, political antagonism, and impunity and put the aspirations of the people first.
For me, Gonawula remains more than a place—it is a political dream, a constituency, and a people whose democratic voice deserves to be heard.
Post a Comment