My last article on the need for Zone A (Niger South) to send its best to the Senate generated robust debates across different political camps. This is understandable in a season of heightened political alignment where many have already pledged their support to preferred candidates.
However, one particular argument stood out for its curious logic. A commentator claimed that Hon. Sani Legbo Kutigi should not aspire to represent the Nupes because, according to him, “he cannot speak Nupe.”
This assertion is not only inaccurate but also misses the essence of effective representation. Leadership at the national level has never been defined by linguistic prowess. It is about capacity, vision, networks, and the ability to deliver tangible results for one’s people.
I first met Hon. Sani Legbo Kutigi, the Ajiyan Kutigi, in Imo State Government House during my NYSC. The moment I saw him, I greeted him warmly with “Kube Igidi,” and he immediately responded, “ke wo nan o.” His reception was warm and genuine. He asked about my Place of Primary Assignment, and when I told him I was posted to the Ministry of Works, his face lit up with pride. He took interest in me and personally introduced me to the then Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, his personal friend.
That encounter offered me a glimpse into the breadth of the Ajiyan Kutigi’s national reach. Imo was like home to him. His networks extended far beyond Niger State, cutting across the length and breadth of the country. On one occasion, when I expressed interest in joining a project monitoring unit, he personally accompanied me to meet the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works. That single act opened doors for me. This is the Hon. Sani Legbo Kutigi I know: accessible, well-connected, and always willing to support his people.
Importantly, the Ajiyan Kutigi is not an outsider to Zone A politics. He is firmly rooted in the district, having effectively represented Lavun/Edati/Mokwa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. During his tenure, he demonstrated a clear understanding of the aspirations of Zone A and maintained a listening ear to his constituents. It is no coincidence that more than a decade after leaving the National Assembly, his name still commands respect and relevance. Very few politicians enjoy such enduring goodwill, and this speaks volumes about the depth of his relationships and his lasting impact.
The National Assembly, especially the Senate, is not a stage for linguistic display. It is an arena where experience, maturity, and strategic networking determine what development is secured for constituencies. Zone A cannot afford to be represented by someone who will spend years learning the ropes. What the zone needs is a legislator who understands the terrain from day one, who can build alliances and lobby effectively to bring meaningful development home.
The Ajiyan Kutigi embodies that blend of experience, maturity, and national reach. Reducing his candidacy to a question of linguistic ability is a narrow view that ignores what truly matters. Zone A needs a voice that is respected, a representative who understands the pulse of the people, and a legislator with the connections to deliver. Kutigi has consistently shown that he listens, that he knows the issues that matter to Zone A, and that he has the capacity to act on them.
Zone A must rise above sentiments and focus on the real conversation: capacity and results.
Ibrahim Usman Umar writes from Katcha LGA
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