Hon. Joshua Audu Gana, the House of Representatives member representing the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Constituency in Niger State, has firmly defended his inability to deliver on constituency projects, stating that he will not resort to stealing to fulfill the demands of his constituents.
Gana’s made this comment during a meeting with stakeholders from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Mokwa Local Government Area on Tuesday, following growing dissatisfaction from local PDP leaders. Among those expressing concerns over his stewardship was Alhaji Suleiman Kupanti, the PDP Chairman in the area, who had criticized his performance.
In his address, Gana clarified that some of the expectations placed upon him were not realistic, underscoring that public office comes with complex structures and varying levels of responsibility.
He assured the stakeholders that, although he may not be able to fulfill every request, he would redirect their concerns to the proper channels.
“I thank God I am not God,” Gana declared, explaining that he could not meet all the expectations of his constituents.
“The money in public office is not my father’s money. It is government money, and when you want to score me, look at the national budget and the allocation for our constituency. Only when projects are fully funded can you hold me accountable.”
Responding to accusations that he had failed to deliver due to a lack of funding, Gana suggested that his position in the opposition might be a contributing factor. He pointed out that the ruling APC party controls most of the funding allocations.
Comparing his situation to that of the previous administration when the PDP was in power, Gana stated that the current political landscape had made a significant difference in project funding.
The legislator’s remarks have sparked criticism from his constituents, some of whom expressed frustration with his response and demanded more action rather than complaints.
Despite this, Gana’s supporters in the region, including members of his media watchdog group, have promised to learn from the situation as they reassess his leadership moving forward.
Gana is yet to publicly respond to the growing backlash from his constituents and political supporters.
