Dear Distinguished People of Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro,
The political future of our federal constituency is once again approaching a defining moment. As discussions about the next general election gather momentum, it is important that we look beyond sentiments, political affiliations, personal interests and the temptation to change political leadership merely for the sake of change. We must ask ourselves one fundamental question: What kind of representation will best protect our collective interests and advance the development of Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro?
It is against this background that I consider it necessary to make a compelling case for the re-election of Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali Halims, popularly known as Hon. Halims, for a third term in the House of Representatives.
My position is simple: Hon. Halims deserves another opportunity, not merely because he has occupied the seat for two terms, but because the experience, political influence, institutional knowledge and leadership responsibilities he has acquired place him in a strategic position to do even more for our people.
Since his election in 2019, Hon. Halims has grown from being a representative of Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro into an influential member of the Nigerian House of Representatives. His emergence as Deputy Majority Leader in July 2023 is particularly significant. This is not an ordinary political position. It is an important leadership responsibility that places him within the inner workings of the legislature and gives him greater opportunities to participate in legislative coordination, policy discussions and parliamentary decision-making.
We must not underestimate what this means for our constituency.
In the politics of representation, access matters. Influence matters. Experience matters. The ability to engage fellow lawmakers, government institutions and relevant authorities matters. A representative who has spent years understanding the workings of the National Assembly and has risen to a leadership position possesses advantages that should not be discarded without careful consideration.
This is one of the strongest arguments for a third term.
Our constituency should not be in a hurry to surrender the political capital it has accumulated through years of representation. Rather, we should be asking how best to convert that political capital into tangible development for our communities.
Hon. Halims has also had the opportunity to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Steel, another responsibility that exposed him to important national economic and industrial policy issues. His legislative experience and leadership exposure can become valuable assets in attracting attention to the development needs of our people.
The people of Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro deserve more than a representative who simply occupies a seat in Abuja. They deserve someone who understands the system, knows how to navigate its processes and can effectively present the interests of the constituency at the highest level of legislative engagement.
One issue that deserves particular attention is infrastructure. Our roads, rural communities, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and access to basic amenities require sustained legislative advocacy and government intervention.
The Anyigba-Ankpa-Olamaboro road, for instance, remains an important concern to our people. Hon. Halims’ February 2024 legislative intervention on the road demonstrated the need to bring the challenges of our communities to national attention.
However, we must go beyond motions and advocacy. We must demand sustained follow-up until the desired results are achieved. This is precisely why continuity matters. A third term should provide an opportunity to consolidate previous interventions, pursue outstanding commitments and intensify pressure for the execution of projects that will improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
There are also reported constituency interventions involving roads, boreholes and classroom blocks, alongside empowerment, training and support initiatives. These efforts should be properly documented, expanded and assessed by the people.
Representation must ultimately be measured by its impact on the lives of constituents.
I am not suggesting that everything is perfect. No serious public affairs analyst should pretend that all the developmental challenges of Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro have been resolved. Far from it. Our communities still have legitimate expectations, and the people have every right to demand more from their elected representative.
But the existence of unfinished work is not necessarily an argument for abandoning the person already familiar with the assignment. Sometimes, unfinished work is precisely the reason to allow an experienced leader another opportunity to complete it.
We must also consider the dangers of political experimentation. Every new representative requires time to understand parliamentary procedures, build relationships, establish credibility and develop the necessary influence within the legislature.
These are not achievements that happen overnight.
Hon. Halims has already gone through that process. He understands the political environment, knows the legislative terrain and has acquired relationships that can be deployed for the benefit of our constituency.
Why should Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro willingly surrender this advantage at a time when it could become even more useful?
A third term should not be interpreted as an endorsement of permanent political entitlement. Rather, it should be viewed as a strategic decision based on performance, capacity, experience and the expectations of the electorate.
Democracy gives the people the power to choose, but responsible political choices must be guided by the long-term interests of the people rather than temporary excitement.
To the political stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations, women groups, community associations and opinion moulders across the three local government areas, I appeal that this conversation should be approached with maturity.
Let us not reduce the discussion to who comes from which village, clan, ward or political camp. Let us ask what will deliver the greatest benefit to the entire federal constituency.
Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro are three local government areas with different challenges, but they share one political destiny. Their collective strength must be reflected in the quality of representation they receive at the National Assembly.
The third-term argument is also an opportunity to demand a stronger social contract from Hon. Halims. If given another mandate, he should intensify constituency engagement, establish measurable development priorities, improve communication with constituents and ensure that opportunities arising from his leadership position are fairly distributed across the three local government areas.
He should also make youth employment, educational support, healthcare, rural infrastructure, agricultural development and economic empowerment central to his next legislative agenda.
Our young people need opportunities. Our farmers need support. Our women need economic empowerment. Our schools need improved facilities. Our communities need better roads and access to clean water. These are not unreasonable demands; they are the minimum expectations of responsible representation.
Hon. Halims should therefore see a third-term mandate not simply as another political victory, but as a greater responsibility to justify the confidence of the people.
I equally believe that his current position as Deputy Majority Leader presents an opportunity that Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro should carefully consider. Having a representative in such a strategic parliamentary position is an advantage that should be maximised for constituency development.
Politics is not only about occupying offices; it is also about building influence that produces results. The real test of leadership is the ability to translate political access into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
Dear people of Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro, the decision before us is bigger than the ambition of any individual. It is about the future of our constituency and the kind of political investment we want to make.
We must recognise that experience is valuable, continuity has its advantages, and leadership positions are opportunities that should be used for collective benefit.
Hon. Halims has served two terms, risen to become Deputy Majority Leader and acquired the institutional experience required to play an even greater role in national legislative affairs. These credentials provide a strong basis for considering him for another mandate.
Let us give continuity a chance. Let us give experience another opportunity. Let us consolidate the political influence we have already secured rather than begin another journey of political learning.
A third term for Hon. Halims should be a mandate for greater accountability, deeper constituency engagement, stronger legislative advocacy and accelerated development.
Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro deserve a representative who can turn experience into results. Hon. Halims has the experience, the position and the opportunity. Let us give him another chance to make them count.
Yours in the interest of a stronger and more prosperous Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro.
– Musa Wada
Public Affairs Analyst
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