By Basheer Luqman Olarewaju
There is a Gaelic proverb that says ‘there is no greater fraud than a promise not kept.” One could delve further to say it is a universal truth that a broken promise destroys confidence in man and state.
This is because when a leader fails to uphold a promise or lead by example, it shows a lack of confidence in, and disregard for, the very system he was entrusted to defend. In turn, the people he governs no longer feel obligated to respect said system and likelihood that disorder and anarchy set in oftentimes becomes a reality.
In politics, the stakes are much higher. A lack of trust in elected and appointed officials gives way to disorder and anarchy but furthermore, it degrades the integrity of the office. In those instances, gratification of self above the collective takes precedence but such destruction of reputation and public trust can take years to rebuild and its consequences are not always immediately recognized.
In the general affairs of our lives, we make promises. We promise to ourselves, to each other. A leader to his people, a parent to his child, between freinds, between lovers. We make promises as an assurance or, in some cases, a reassurance. We make promises to soothe, to defer hope and to give someone something to believe in for the future. Simply put, a promise is a ‘declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.’
However, some promises are made with expectation. The expectation that said primise will guarantee the loyalty of the recipient to the dismissal of other proposals. Some promises even arise from coercion. That is, a promise owing solely to circumstances. A promise is meant to assure the other party that a certain action will be taken or not taken.
In the case of the Ilorin West/Asa Federal House of Representatives’ candidate under the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Muktar Tolani Shagaya, his decision to throw his hat into the ring stems from his sincere desire to serve the people. He is obliged to leave no stone unturned towards the social re-engineering of our great constituency. Shagaya is a man with a multidisciplinary background and he will use this to the advantage of the people.
When Shagaya made a promise to his constituents during the primary elections, he made a promise to represent his people and strive to deliver the dividends of democracy.
He made a promise to be the voice and force behind people-centered legislation and policies, rule of law, and the realization of the democratic ideals of citizenship, rights, equality, economic benefits, and the pursuit of wellbeing.
These hallmarks of democracy are phasing out in our constituencies but without a doubt, voting Mallam Muktar Shagaya, the Ilorin West/Asa constituents should rest, be assured that they will be re-energised and activated, for the benefit of all.
Arguably, the Ilorin West/Asa Federal constituency is the foremost constituency in Kwara state, that has witnessed tremendous retrogressive growth and development in the most recent years. Such a constituency as great as this deserves nothing but the best representation at all levels.
If, by the grace of God and the will of the people, Mallam Muktar Shagaya is given the opportunity to represent the Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency in the green chambers of the National Assembly, the impact of good governance will be felt across all sector here at home. He is indeed a man determined to keep his promises, deliver on his mandate and defend the integrity of the office.
He will complement the efforts of the state government through both merit and need-based empowerment that support women and equip our youth with the necessary skills needed in order to bolster productivity. This will also include funding for small- businesses and technical training, which will promote a more self-reliant society. He will push for legislation that benefits his people at all levels and sectors, and attracts more federal government projects to better the lives of people and provide opportunities for his constituents.
The good news is, Mallam Muktar Shagaya is eminently qualified. He is widely accepted and well-loved by the people for various reasons. I, however, task the good people of Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency to be actively involved in politics and ensure that they get their permanent voters card to enable them vote for man of the masses, Muktar Shagaya, as the representative of their choice at the 2023 general elections.
Basheer Luqman Olarewaju is the Director of Media and Publicity, Muktar Shagaya Movement.
Tuesday, June 28, 2022.
