By: Dr. James Bwala
As the 2027 general elections draw closer, political discussions are beginning to gather momentum across Nigeria. In Borno State, attention is increasingly focused on the Hawul and Askira/Uba Federal Constituency, where citizens are seeking credible, accessible, and purposeful representation at the National Assembly. Among the emerging political figures receiving strong public support is Alhaji Ali Gwandzang, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the House of Representatives.
His recent visit to communities in Hawul Local Government Area demonstrated the depth of his connection with the people. As he arrived, crowds of enthusiastic supporters welcomed him with chants of “Armbur! Armbur!”—a local expression meaning “This is our own.” The chant was more than a slogan. It reflected a sense of identification, trust, and ownership between the people and a candidate they believe understands their aspirations.
During his interactions with residents, Ali Gwandzang explained his mission to change the narrative about the representation of Hawul and Askira/Uba at the Green Chambers. He spoke about the need to ensure that the constituency is represented by someone who will bring intelligence, courage, accessibility, and accountability to national politics. Rather than assuming that the people would automatically support him, he asked them whether he should continue his campaign or step aside for another candidate of their choice.
The response was immediate and emphatic. From village to village, the people answered with a thunderous declaration: “You will represent us!” Their response signalled a widespread desire for his candidacy to continue and reflected the confidence many residents have placed in his leadership. This popular endorsement deserves serious consideration, not merely as a political development but as an expression of the people’s search for effective representation.
Representation in the National Assembly is not simply about occupying a seat in Abuja. It is about bringing the hopes, problems, and needs of a whole group of people to the national level. A representative is expected to speak for the people, participate meaningfully in lawmaking, attract development projects, monitor government programs, and remain accountable to those who elected him. For a constituency such as Hawul and Askira/Uba, which has faced security challenges, underdevelopment, unemployment, and inadequate public infrastructure, the quality of representation is especially important.
This is why the choice of a candidate should not be based solely on political party affiliation, financial influence, or temporary campaign promises. Voters must examine the character, experience, accessibility, knowledge, and commitment of the person seeking their mandate. In this regard, Ali Gwandzang’s long-standing relationship with the people provides him a significant advantage. He is not a candidate who has suddenly appeared at election time. His connection with the communities, according to the response of the people, existed long before his aspiration for the House of Representatives.
That established relationship matters because effective representation begins with understanding. A representative who knows the people personally is more likely to appreciate their difficulties and respond to their needs. Such a representative is also easier to approach and more likely to maintain regular contact with constituents. The people of Hawul and Askira/Uba need a representative who will not disappear after election day but will continue to visit communities, consult traditional and religious leaders, engage youth and women, and listen to ordinary citizens.
Ali Gwandzang’s promise to bring the people closer to government is therefore particularly significant. Many citizens feel disconnected from the institutions that are supposed to serve them. Government policies and programs are often announced in distant offices, while the people who need them most remain uninformed or excluded. A representative can help bridge this gap by providing information, facilitating access to opportunities, monitoring public projects, and ensuring that the voices of local communities are heard in government circles.
Bringing the people closer to government also means creating a culture of open consultation. Constituents should not be treated as people who are needed only during elections. They should be regarded as partners in governance. Regular town-hall meetings, community consultations, public feedback mechanisms, and transparent reporting can help rebuild trust between elected representatives and the electorate. If Ali Gwandzang remains committed to this approach, he can help establish a new standard of representation in the constituency.
Another important issue is the need to improve the quality of debate and advocacy at the National Assembly. Borno State is home to many educated, talented, and intellectually capable citizens. However, intellectual capacity can only benefit the people when it is combined with discipline, courage, preparation, and a clear understanding of legislative responsibilities. The House of Representatives requires members who can study proposed laws, contribute to debates, scrutinize budgets, ask relevant questions, and advocate effectively for their constituents.
Ali Gwandzang’s stated desire to change the narrative about the representation of intellectually capable people from Borno State is therefore a worthy ambition. The people deserve a representative who can match national issues with informed analysis and who will not remain silent when the interests of the constituency are at stake. They need someone who can articulate their concerns in a language that policymakers understand and who can build constructive relationships with ministries, agencies, committees, and development partners.
However, intellectual representation should not be limited to academic knowledge. It must also include practical wisdom and sensitivity to local realities. Hawul and Askira/Uba are communities with diverse social, economic, cultural, and security concerns. A representative must understand the differences between rural and urban needs, the challenges faced by farmers and traders, the aspirations of young people, and the special needs of women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable households.
Security remains a major concern across many parts of Borno State. Any meaningful political agenda for the constituency must include advocacy for improved security, support for displaced and returning families, rehabilitation of damaged communities, and economic recovery. The people need roads, schools, clinics, clean water, electricity, and opportunities for productive employment. These are not luxuries; they are essential foundations for a stable and prosperous society.
In the area of education, a responsible representative should advocate for the rehabilitation of schools, the provision of learning materials, teacher support, and opportunities for students to pursue higher education and vocational training. Young people should not be left without hope or direction. Skills acquisition, entrepreneurship programs, agricultural support, and access to small business financing can help reduce unemployment and prevent vulnerable youths from becoming victims of poverty or political manipulation.
Healthcare also deserves urgent attention. Many rural communities continue to face difficulties accessing qualified medical personnel, essential drugs, maternal care, and emergency services. A representative who is genuinely connected to the people must make health infrastructure and services part of his legislative priorities. This includes advocating for primary healthcare centers, supporting community health workers, and ensuring that government interventions reach the communities for which they are intended.
Agriculture is another area with enormous potential. Many residents depend directly or indirectly on farming, livestock, and local commerce. With appropriate support, the agricultural sector can generate employment, improve food security, and strengthen household incomes. Legislative representation should therefore include advocacy for affordable farm inputs, irrigation, storage facilities, access roads, extension services, and fair markets. Such initiatives would benefit not only farmers but the entire local economy.
The enthusiasm that greeted Ali Gwandzang’s arrival shows that the people are not indifferent to politics. They are prepared to participate when they believe a candidate shares their identity and aspirations. The chant “Armbur!” expressed a powerful political message: the people want someone they can call their own. This sense of ownership is essential for democratic legitimacy. A representative who enjoys the confidence of the people is more likely to receive their cooperation and more likely to remain accountable to them.
Nevertheless, public support must be converted into a clear and measurable program. Popularity alone cannot solve the problems of a constituency. Ali Gwandzang must continue to explain how he intends to achieve his goals, what legislative issues he will prioritize, and how he will report his performance to the people. He should present a realistic agenda that addresses security, education, healthcare, roads, agriculture, youth employment, women’s empowerment, and transparent governance.
He must also maintain the humility that has apparently endeared him to the people. The thunderous response from supporters is encouraging, but it should not lead to complacency. Elections are won not only through enthusiasm but also through organization, discipline, peaceful mobilization, and respect for democratic procedures. His campaign should remain issue-based and peaceful, avoiding personal attacks, ethnic division, misinformation, and the politics of intimidation.
The people of Hawul and Askira/Uba also have responsibilities. They must evaluate all candidates carefully and make their decisions based on competence, character, commitment, and a credible plan for development. They should resist inducements that offer temporary benefits in exchange for surrendering their long-term interests. A bag of food, a small payment, or a campaign gift cannot replace years of effective representation. The future of the constituency is too important to be exchanged for short-term gains.
If the people believe that Ali Gwandzang understands their needs, has remained connected to them, and possesses the capacity to represent them effectively, then their support for his candidacy is justified. His public consultation and willingness to ask the people whether he should continue demonstrate an important principle: political authority should come from the people. The response he received across the communities suggests that many residents have already made their preference clear.
The 2027 election presents an opportunity for the people of Hawul and Askira/Uba to demand a new kind of representation—one that is accessible, intelligent, responsive, and development-oriented. Alhaji Ali Gwandzang has positioned himself as a candidate who seeks to build that connection. His mission to bring the people closer to government, strengthen the quality of representation, and change the narrative about their presence at the Green Chambers deserves encouragement.
James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.
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