Cleric-turned-politician vows to serve, not steal from constituents

The candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the Obi II State Constituency seat in Nasarawa State, Bishop Ezekiel Musa, has criticized the current lawmaker, Luka Zhekaba. Zhekaba was elected on the Peoples Democratic Party platform. Musa claims the constituency has been poorly represented.

Musa, who is a Christian cleric, stated that despite Zhekaba serving two terms, the area is still underdeveloped. He pointed out the lack of basic amenities in the constituency.

He made these comments while talking to journalists on Tuesday in Lafia, the state capital. Musa explained that he has spent much of his life outside Nasarawa State, but he feels sad every time he visits and sees the underdevelopment in his community.

Musa leads a ministry with branches in Abuja, Lagos, and Rivers states. He expressed his concerns about the bad roads, poor education, limited access to clean drinking water, and inadequate healthcare facilities in the area.

He said, “All my life, I have been staying outside my state. I have lived in Rivers State, Lagos, and Abuja. I have seen development. I have travelled outside this country and seen how politicians develop their communities.

“I’m currently running a non-governmental organisation that provides humanitarian services because I believe the less privileged in society deserve regular support to improve their livelihoods. But I want to do more for my people.

“Anytime I come to my community, I don’t see any new development, and I always feel unhappy. Then I prayed to God to stir my heart to contest for the House of Assembly and help me win so that I can work for my people. That is why I ventured into politics.”

While speaking to journalists, Musa made it clear that as a cleric, he is not running for office to steal public funds or deceive people. His goal is to serve his constituents and ensure they have access to regular empowerment programs.

Musa promised to focus on quality legislation and find solutions to the problems facing the people if he is elected in the 2027 general elections.

“I came to bring development. I came to do what they have not been doing. I’m coming with a different blueprint to work for my people. Whatever you can think of in terms of development is what I’m coming to do.

“We don’t have a general hospital. We don’t have good roads. We don’t have potable water. These are some of the things I am coming to address,” he said.

Musa also pledged to set up a scholarship scheme to help children from less-privileged families in the constituency get quality education if he wins a seat in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in 2027.