By Aaron Ossai
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has launched his fifth-term bid to return to the House of Representatives at a grand declaration ceremony attended by a mammoth crowd of constituents.
This was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi and made available to newsmen in Anuja.
Speaker Abbas, who joined the House in 2011, used the occasion to list the many democratic dividends his representation has attracted to the Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.
A mammoth crowd of over 15,000 supporters and loyalists welcomed the Speaker at the Mallawa Eid Ground, Zaria during which they embarked on a solidarity walk from the Emir’s Palace, Zaria through the Babban Dodo, Lemu, Kofar Doka, Tudun Wada axis before arriving at the Mallawa Eid Ground. at about.
“These are not theories. These are visible projects. These are measurable results, the Speaker stated, adding that the constituency projects have empowered the constituents and changed the lives of his people.
“Today, I formally declare my intention to seek another mandate to represent the good people of Zaria Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. This declaration is not based on promises alone. It is based on work. It is based on results. It is based on a record that our people can see and verify.
“When you first entrusted me with this responsibility, I made a commitment that representation would not be distant from the people. I said leadership must produce visible outcomes. I said public office must improve lives. And together, we have worked to fulfil that promise,” he said.
Before becoming Speaker of the House, the Zaria representative stated that he remained “one of the most active lawmakers in the country,” as he sponsored 74 bills, out of which 21 were signed into law.
“These were not efforts designed for publicity. They were aimed at solving problems and strengthening governance,” he said.
The Speaker, at the declaration ceremony held at the Mallawa Eid Ground along New Jos Road in Zaria, reeled out several impactful and developmental constituency projects attracted to Zaria, noting that legislation alone is not enough “if people do not feel the impact of representation in their daily lives.”
He stated that this is why his representation of Zaria at the House brought development closer to the people.
Speaker Abbas said.
“We supported farmers with tractors, fertilisers, and agricultural equipment because we understand the importance of agriculture to our economy and to the survival of our families.
“We supported transport operators, party structures, community leaders, youth groups, and small business owners with tricycles and motorcycles to improve livelihoods, strengthen mobility, and create opportunities.
“We expanded these interventions on a larger scale by distributing 117 vehicles, 200 tricycles, and 1,000 motorcycles across communities, support groups, religious leaders, polling unit structures, and grassroots stakeholders.
“When our people needed direct economic support, we acted.”He recalled that 2,400 beneficiaries received direct financial support to strengthen their businesses and support their families, while 800 trained beneficiaries received N250,000 each, with 1,600 small business owners receiving N100,000 each.
“That is practical representation. That is the kind of leadership our people deserve,” Speaker Abbas added..
On education, the Speaker said deliberate steps were taken “because we understand that the future of Zaria depends on the strength of our schools and institutions.”
Consequently, he facilitated the establishment of the Education City project in Zaria, a development valued at about N80 billion.
“This is not an ordinary project. It is an investment in the future of our children and the future of Northern Nigeria,” he stated.
In addition, he supported about 30,000 students through a scholarship programme valued at N5 billion. He pointed out that this support for many families created “opportunities that would otherwise have remained beyond reach.”
Furthermore, Speaker Abbas cited cases of rehabilitated schools, support for the establishment of additional educational institutions, and expansion of educational access “because we believe education remains the strongest path to progress.”
