Open Letter To Maureen Gwacham Incoming Rep Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency

HARRIS CHUMA-ODILI, PhD 

This is an open letter of congratulations and encouragement for all who will be participating in handing over the APGA flag to Maureen Gwacham as she is set to clinch the APGA ticket, win the main polls and go ahead to represent the good people of Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency at the Green Chambers Abuja in 2023. This congratulatory message is informed by an analysis of broad public will, not just the likely 70 percent of eligible delegates who will cast ballots.

Congratulations on your undoubtedly well-deserved election. Savour for a while this affirmation of esteem Oyi/Ayamelum constituent members hold for you. You are by definition a leader, whose position demands respect. And you deserve credit for stepping up to do this hard work and for taking the inevitable heat and criticism that come with public office.

Now, please try to stay humble. You are a leader but also a public servant. Be wary of assuming you have the “will of the people” behind you, or that you fully understand that will. A rather amazingly small percentage of the people you represent actually voted for you. Some people may have “spoken,” but not nearly enough of our most vulnerable people, and too small a percentage for you to claim a “mandate,” especially if you represent the good number of the Oyi/Ayamelum’s population in the Federal House of Representatives district.

Maureen, in 2023, after you might have been sworn-in as a member of the House of Representatives, know that you have the responsibility of figuring out how to best serve the interests of all the people in your jurisdiction, including the children, the poor, the unsuccessful and disconnected,and those who seldom vote or are ineligible to vote.

As you prepare to legislate and govern, your political party’s agenda and your personal philosophical ideology should be tempered and adjusted. The agendas of your affluent contributors and the interest groups who supported you will no doubt have influence. Difficult as this might be to explain to those fine people who may have directly or indirectly given you financial support, and who expect you to answer their calls first, their agenda is not necessarily your agenda.

Here’s a case for what the larger percentage of ndi Oyi/Ayamelum want, generally. These are general goals and specific policies around which there is considerable agreement, from business and labour, philanthropies and foundations, mainstream religious leaders, civic improvement groups, and even the opposition. You can’t go wrong by focusing on these basics.

Generally:
Less economic and less poverty, a stronger middle class, and an economy and a society that benefits a larger share of people — not tilted toward the 10 percent at the very top.

Reducing the opportunity gaps for women and people with disabilities: Oyi/Ayamelum is suffering from some of the largest literacy gaps in the nation on education attainment, income and wealth, health, and practically every socio-economic indicators.

Finally, when you take your oath of office in May next year, you might notice how simple and spare it is about discharging the duties of your office and supporting the constitutions of our nation and state. Those constitutions are filled with explicit and implicit obligations to serve the broader public good.

And again, congratulations!