On ‘Abba Bichi: Generosity and the Money Question’

When the name of Bichi federal constituency representative, Hon Abubakar Kabir Bichi, is mentioned, most people recall his reputation for responsible and responsive representation. He listens attentively to the concerns of his constituents, always ready to respond accordingly. A recent article in the Daily Trust, titled "Abba Bichi: Generosity and the Money Question," delved into the subject, garnering attention from a wide range of readers.

While the piece highlighted the benefits brought to the constituency, it also questioned the numerous birthday advertisements placed in various national newspapers, including the Daily Trust itself. The article raised concerns about the source of the funding behind these advertisements and the resources supporting Hon Bichi's seemingly endless generosity.

The author of the story finds this focus on the celebratory aspect of the story to be peculiar, as it seems unlikely that governors, ministers, and members of the National Assembly would rely on Hon Bichi for financial support before advocating for his birthday celebrations in the press. The Daily Trust publication acknowledges that they understand the importance of legislation in obtaining funding for projects within their constituencies.

However, some of the individuals interviewed by the newspaper seem to misunderstand the distinction between lobbying and project execution. The reality is that legislators focus on creating and promoting projects, while the power to execute those projects lies with the Executive branch, including the President, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as state-level officials.

The article also praises Hon Bichi's role in facilitating development initiatives within his constituency. Despite this, the story questions the attribution of project success to Bichi's efforts, as the act of awarding contracts and executing projects is exclusively the responsibility of government officials. It is essential to distinguish between lobbying for projects and the actual execution of those projects, which remains firmly within the purview of government authorities.

The author concludes by pointing out that Bichi's electoral contribution to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's victory in the 2023 presidential election is noteworthy, as Bichi was the second local government area in the country to deliver the highest number of votes to Tinubu. This achievement should be considered when discussing the distribution of development projects in the area.