Bassa/Dekina federal constituency aspirant says every major bloc has had a turn since 1999, urges stakeholders to embrace “equilibrium, inclusion and togetherness”
A prospective aspirant for the Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency, Alhaji Salihu Yusuf, popularly known as HAJOHS, has called for equity and inclusive political representation ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that the Mozum/Bassa-Nge Bloc of Bassa Local Government Area deserves an opportunity to produce the constituency’s next representative in the House of Representatives.
HAJOHS, a son of the Mozum Kingdom, Certified Construction Engineer and International Finance Consultant, made the call in a statement issued today in Lokoja, where he appealed to political leaders, traditional institutions, community stakeholders, youths, women and professionals across Bassa and Dekina to reflect on the constituency’s political history and embrace what he described as a new era of fairness and inclusion.
At the centre of HAJOHS’s argument is his assertion that, since the return of democratic governance in 1999, the major political blocs within the Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency have had opportunities to produce representatives, with the Mozum/Bassa-Nge Bloc remaining the exception.
“This is not bitterness. This is not a complaint. It is simply a call for fairness,” HAJOHS said.
According to him, the constituency remains richly blessed with strength, diversity and political maturity, but the time has come for stakeholders to examine whether its political representation has reflected the principle of equitable participation among its major blocs.
HAJOHS identified the Bassa-Komu Bloc in Bassa LGA as having produced the late Hon. Isaac Gimba, who represented the constituency from 1999 to 2007.
He further listed the Biradu Bloc in Dekina LGA as having produced Hon. Ihabe-Positive from 2027 to 2011; the Dekina Township Bloc, which produced Hon. Tom Zakari from 2011 to 2015; the Okura Bloc, which produced Hon. Okolo Benjamin Ikani from 2015 to 2019; the Okura Bloc again, through Hon. Hassan Baiwa, from 2019 to 2023; and the Dekina Township Bloc, which produced Hon. Haruna Paul Gowon from 2023 to 2027.
HAJOHS said the historical pattern, as he presented it, raises an important question about the place of the Mozum/Bassa-Nge Bloc in the next phase of the constituency’s political leadership.
He stressed, however, that his appeal should not be interpreted as an attempt to discredit previous representatives or diminish the contributions of any community.
Rather, he described it as a call for a political arrangement in which the different blocs can feel a genuine sense of belonging.
HAJOHS said the 2027 election should not be viewed merely as another contest for a seat in the House of Representatives, but as an opportunity for the people of Bassa/Dekina to reflect on the principles that should guide political leadership.
He asked:
“Can we demonstrate that our politics is guided by justice and togetherness?”
“Can our Bassa/Dekina Constituency rise above old patterns and embrace true inclusion?”
“Can we prove that any Mozum/Bassa-Nge son or daughter can grow up believing that leadership is possible?”
For HAJOHS, the answers to these questions could help shape the political culture of the constituency for generations to come.
He said the moment calls for an end to what he described as prolonged waiting and postponement of fairness.
HAJOHS: “THIS IS NOT A STRUGGLE AGAINST ANY COMMUNITY”
The aspirant was equally categorical that his appeal is not directed against the Okura, Dekina Township, Biradu or Bassa-Komu blocs.
He said his aspiration is intended to promote political equilibrium rather than create another line of division within the constituency.
“This is not a struggle against Okura, Dekina Township or our blood ones in Biradu, all in Dekina LGA. It is not a struggle against our Bassa-Komu brothers and sisters. It is a movement for an equilibrium.”
HAJOHS argued that when leadership opportunities are shared fairly, trust can deepen, participation can expand, unity can be strengthened and resentment can gradually give way to a stronger sense of collective ownership.
He added that an opportunity for a Mozum/Bassa-Nge son to represent the constituency should not be seen simply as a victory for one bloc.
Rather, he described it as an opportunity for the entire Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency to demonstrate that every bloc matters.
“WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR SYMPATHY; WE ARE OFFERING SERVICE”
HAJOHS said the Mozum/Bassa-Nge Bloc is not seeking an opportunity merely because it has experienced a long period without representation.
Instead, he said, the bloc is presenting itself as ready to serve the entire constituency.
According to HAJOHS, the leadership the constituency requires should be founded on professional experience, development vision, grassroots mobilisation, political maturity, grassroots understanding and an unwavering commitment to serving all communities rather than one bloc.
“I stand before you not to divide us, but to unite us,” he said. “Not to re-open old wounds, but to heal them. Not to claim entitlement, but to seek togetherness.”
He said his aspiration is built around a commitment to ensuring that communities across both Bassa and Dekina LGAs receive attention, recognition and effective representation.
HAJOHS also addressed the various blocs directly, calling for a collective approach to the constituency’s political future.
To the Mozum/Bassa-Nge Bloc, he said the long wait for representation should not be in vain and should become an opportunity to demonstrate readiness for responsible leadership.
To the Bassa-Komu Bloc, HAJOHS acknowledged its history of leadership and called for support for what he described as a fairer political arrangement.
To the Okura Bloc, he recognised its years of representation and appealed for cooperation in strengthening the unity of the constituency.
To the Biradu Bloc, he acknowledged its leadership contribution and appealed for solidarity in restructuring the political future of the constituency.
To the Dekina Township Bloc, HAJOHS said its recent emergence demonstrated that political progress was possible and called on the bloc to support what he described as the completion of the circle of inclusion.
HAJOHS distilled his appeal into a simple historical argument.
“Bassa-Komu has led. Biradu has led. Okura has led. Dekina Township has led. Now let Mozum/Bassa-Nge Bloc lead.”
He stressed that the appeal was not based on a claim of superiority or privilege.
Instead, he said it was about creating an opportunity for a bloc he considers to have remained excluded from the constituency’s House of Representatives seat since 1999.
“Not because we demand privilege, but because justice delayed should not become justice denied,” HAJOHS said.
He consequently urged stakeholders across the constituency to engage in peaceful, constructive and mature discussions about the future of political representation ahead of 2027.
HAJOHS said the 2027 election could become a defining moment in the political history of Bassa/Dekina if stakeholders choose fairness over established patterns and inclusion over exclusion.
He maintained that his aspiration is not about replacing one division with another, but about creating a stronger sense of collective ownership of the constituency’s political future.
“This is not simply about our turn. It is about our shared opportunity to deepen fairness, strengthen unity and build a more inclusive future for Bassa/Dekina.”
HAJOHS said a victory for a Mozum son, in his view, should be understood as an opportunity for the entire constituency to demonstrate its commitment to political inclusion and equitable participation.
He concluded his appeal with three messages:
JUSTICE FOR MOZUM/BASSA-NGE.
UNITY FOR ALL.
PROGRESS FOR BASSA/DEKINA.
The statement also carried the political slogans:
ADP — One Destiny
ADP — Action Forward
ADP — A Credible
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