Rita Odafe
A recent video has circulated online, displaying a large group of constituents from the Edu/Patigi/Moro Federal constituency in Kwara State expressing their disapproval and heckling their Representative, Hon. Ahmed Saba.
The incident took place during his visit to the district where he was involved in the All Progressives Congress (APC) council primary election for the Edu local government area.
An onlooker informed SaharaReporters that the constituents were furious because the lawmaker allegedly sought to impose Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq’s favored candidate on them, which they strongly opposed.
The preferred candidate backed by the governor is Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Ndamugoro; however, the constituents rejected him as they believed he would disappoint them like his predecessor.
The video of the incident captured constituents from Shonga, Hon. Ahmed Saba’s hometown, shouting “Ole” (meaning “thief”) as they escorted him out, revealing their dissatisfaction with his representation.
Kwara APC Lawmaker Booed, Labelled ‘Thief’ By Constituents Over ‘Poor Representation, Move To Impose Governor’s Preferred Candidate’ pic.twitter.com/KkCLhByA0z
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) July 7, 2024
The eyewitness stated: “He (the lawmaker) failed his constituency woefully. Stakeholders, including Hon. Mohammed Baba Ibrahim and Alhaji Bello (Teaching Service Commission – TESCOM Chairman), tried to push for Ndamugoro, citing they were following the governor’s orders.
“However, the community resisted, causing a disruption of the primary process. Consequently, no primary election took place in Edu Local Government Area, and the consensus arrangement was invalidated.”
“The incident revealed deep-rooted opposition to candidate imposition, emphasizing the necessity for a more participatory and inclusive selection procedure,” the observer added.
