By Umar Salam.
The member representing Daura/Sandamu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Fatuhu Mohammed, has revealed details of his journey into politics.
In a chat with Daily Trust, the nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari, narrated what lured him into governance despite being “unprepared”.
He hinged his ambition to contest for the House of Representatives on pressure from his constituents.
He said: I’m a full-time public servant. I worked at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for almost nine years. I was a banker before joining the commission. What happened was through my foundation, the Fatuhu Foundation, these are some of the records I can show you (records of philanthropic interventions). This is what inspired people to push me to run for this post. I was not ready, actually thinking that I still have some time in the civil service or public service. But I have no choice, I gave it a try and it paid.”
Clarifying the popular belief that President Buhari influenced his election, the Daura lawmaker disclosed that the President wasn’t aware of his ambition until the dying minutes.
He also added that Buhari made no financial contribution to his campaign.
“I think journalists know him better than anyone else. He never knew I was contesting until the dying minute. I met him and told him that I had bought my form and also resigned from public service.
“What he told me was, ‘You’re not here for an advice, you’re here to tell me your decision.’ And that was it.
“He said ‘Well, I don’t have money to give you, I wish you all the best. But remember, you’re in the mud, you can’t go out of politics, that’s all.’ It was that wish that made me take the opening step”, Mohammed stated.
The lawmaker reiterated his commitment to perform differently from previous legislators in his constituency.
“I have started. I’ve organized a town hall meeting which is the first of its kind in my constituency and in Katsina at large.
“I collected a lot of information and complaints from my constituency and I’m working on them to see those that I can bring on the floor as a motion and those that I can work with other legislators”, he revealed.