Democracy Gives Voters Choices — But Choice Requires Judgment
One of the defining features of democracy is choice. In a democratic society, it is normal for several citizens to aspire to represent the same constituency, just as it is normal for different political parties to present candidates for the same elective position.
The 2027 House of Representatives contest for Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency reflects this democratic reality. Candidates from different political parties are seeking the mandate of the people, giving the electorate a wide range of personalities, backgrounds, experiences and ideas from which to choose.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has established constitutional requirements for candidates seeking election to the National Assembly, including citizenship, the required minimum age, educational qualification, and party sponsorship.
With several candidates on the ballot, however, the responsibility does not end with having choices. The real responsibility of the electorate is to make an informed choice.
Every candidate will campaign. Every candidate will make promises. Every manifesto will contain attractive ideas about development, empowerment, infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare and improved representation.
The important question, therefore, is not simply: Who is making the biggest promise?
The more important question is:
Who understands the job, possesses relevant experience and has the capacity to perform the constitutional responsibilities of a federal legislator?
Before choosing a candidate, voters should understand what they are actually electing the person to do.
The National Assembly identifies three major responsibilities of legislators:
1. Lawmaking: Members participate in making, debating, reviewing and amending laws for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria.
2. Representation: A member of the House represents the interests, concerns and aspirations of the people of the federal constituency at the national level.
3. Oversight: Legislators scrutinise the activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, helping to promote accountability, transparency and proper use of public resources.
These responsibilities require more than popularity. They require knowledge, preparation, communication skills, analytical ability, experience and a sound understanding of government and the law.
Among the candidates publicly listed for the 2027 Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro House of Representatives election is Barr. Abubakar Usman Yahaya of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is the PDP candidate for the constituency.
His professional background as a lawyer is a factor voters may reasonably consider when assessing candidates.
His legal training makes him a better choice for a legislator. It equips him with the relevant skills for parliamentary work.
Five Advantages of Barr Usman Abubakar Yahaya (a Lawyer) in the House of Representatives
1. Understanding of law and legislation
He is a lawyer trained to read, interpret, analyse and construct legal provisions. Those skills are directly relevant to the legislative process, where members examine Bills and proposed amendments.
2. Ability to scrutinise government actions
Oversight requires careful examination of policies, regulations, contracts, public institutions and government programmes. His legal training provide useful tools for asking precise questions and examining whether actions comply with applicable laws.
3. Constitutional awareness
Members of the National Assembly operate within a constitutional framework. As a legal practitioner, he is professionally trained to understand constitutional provisions, statutory powers and the limits of governmental authority.
4. Advocacy and representation
A lawyer’s professional training in advocacy, argument and presentation. Barr Usman will use this when articulating constituency concerns during debates, committee proceedings and public hearings.
5. Negotiation and conflict resolution
Legislative work involves debate, compromise, negotiation and the reconciliation of different interests. His years of legal practice has often exposes him as a practitioners to structured negotiation, dispute resolution and the balancing of competing positions.
The democratic process allows voters to support different political parties for different reasons. Party loyalty is an important part of democratic politics, but the election of a legislator also has consequences beyond the party platform.
The person elected will represent all residents of Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro, including people who did not vote for him or belong to his political party.
For that reason, the electorate have to look beyond party colours and examine each candidate’s education, professional background, legislative understanding, experience, public record, character, policy proposals and capacity to represent the constituency effectively.
This is particularly important because representation at the National Assembly is not the same as executive administration. A federal lawmaker’s primary constitutional responsibilities revolve around making laws, representing constituents and exercising oversight.
The people of Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro have the constitutional right to make their choice at the ballot box.
The task before the electorate is therefore to listen carefully to every candidate, examine every manifesto, ask questions, compare qualifications and experience, and distinguish between campaign promises and the actual responsibilities of the office.
Barr. Abubakar Usman Yahaya’s legal background is one factor that voters can consider alongside the qualifications, experience and records of all other candidates.
Ultimately, democracy is strongest when citizens do not simply vote because a candidate belongs to their party, comes from their community or makes attractive promises.
They vote after asking a fundamental question: Who has demonstrated the knowledge, experience, character and capacity required to represent the people effectively?
For Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro, the answer will be determined by the people themselves at the ballot box.
The choice is theirs. The responsibility is theirs. And the future of the constituency is theirs to shape.
Vote for Barr Usman Abubakar Yahaya
By
Salamat Iye Iliyasu
