My father is not a thief, none of my family is a thief, and you people will not make me a thief
Hon. Joshua Audu Gana, Niger State House of Representatives member who represents the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Constituency, has assured his constituents that he will not steal in order to carry out projects throughout the community.
Gana stated that he is not God and that he is unable to answer all of the requests and desires of the people. He made this statement while addressing PDP stakeholders in the Mokwa local government area on Tuesday, April 1.
Following complaints from various PDP members—including Suleiman Kupanti, the party’s local government chairman—about his leadership, he made this statement.
Irate Gana responded by saying that the people’s expectations were unrealistic because they failed to recognize the multi-tiered nature of the administration.
He said, “I thank God that I am not God. I cannot answer all your prayers. It is only God who will answer all your prayers because the complaints of the people are prayers to God.
“When you want to score anyone, you will need to understand public office. The money in public office is not my father’s money, it is not my personal money, it is government money.
“They know me, I be old soldier, I no dey fear anything for this life. I am not afraid of anything except God.
“If you want to score me, go and check the national budget, check the items that fall under Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency and the allocation.
“Go and check if the projects were 100 per cent funded, then you can come and ask me about it and that is when you can score me.
“But now, when no money has been provided by the federal government, you want me to go and steal? My father is not a thief, none of my family is a thief, and you people will not make me a thief. Whether you try from heaven to earth, I cannot go and steal for what is not provided.
“The party in rulership today is APC and I am in the opposition. Â When you make a comparison of now to what has happened before, it is different.
“When you compare one legislator in an APC-ruled government to when PDP was in power, then you are a bad examiner.
“This is not a politician. There is no wisdom in his speech. This one is just blowing grammar, is this how to respond to people as a politician? You are our representative and we’ll continue to scorn you.
“If you can’t continue leave since you are lamenting about not being given money for projects in your constituency. Respect is not bought is earned your human relation tells more about you.”