By Rayyanu Bala

The poser posted on Nasarawa Mirror, credited to one Zarmo Auta, reads:
“Dear Wadada, your constituency is on fire, yet you are gallivanting. Is your governorship ambition more important than your people?” This was unfortunate poser coming from someone who knows nothing about Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu.
That sharp jab by Zarmo Auta is the kind of statement that grabs attention, stirs emotion, and, if we’re not careful, can distort reality.
Let’s take a step back and ask a simple question: is Auta’s criticism fair, or is it designed as theatre dressed up as a concern for the people of Odeni Gida, Akyewa, and Angwan Ogiri?
Anyone who has followed Wadada’s political journey knows one thing clearly: his connection to his people is not cosmetic, it is organic. It is not seasonal, nor is it activated only during election periods. Time and again, Wadada has demonstrated that anything affecting his constituency affects him personally. His people’s struggles are his struggles; their progress is his mission.
So, when he is accused of “gallivanting,” it is worth interrogating what that really means. Leadership, especially at higher levels, is not confined to staying within geographical boundaries. Engagements, meetings, alliances, and strategic movements outside the constituency are not acts of abandonment; they are investments—investments aimed at bringing opportunities, influence, and resources back home. If Wadada is moving, it is because he is working. And if he is working, it is for his people.
Let’s also address the incident referenced, the unfortunate accident in Odeni Gida, Akyewa, and Angwan Ogiri
Contrary to the narrative being pushed by Zarmo Auta, Wadada did not remain silent or indifferent. He issued a statement condemning the dastardly act, called on security agencies to rise to the occasion, and reassured the public of his full support in addressing the situation. That is not the behaviour of a leader who is detached from his people. Rather, it reflects someone who understands responsibility.
Now, the question to ask is: what exactly do Zarmo and his likes want? Previously, he accused the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, of traveling to America while the Odeni Gida, Akyewa, and Angwan Ogiri communal crisis was ongoing at home.
Must every leader be physically present at every incident before they are deemed compassionate? Or is it that political ambition, when associated with certain individuals, is automatically framed as selfishness?
Ambition in itself is not a crime. In fact, when properly aligned, it becomes a vehicle for broader service to the people. Wadada’s aspirations do not exist in isolation; they are deeply tied to the welfare of his people, both within and beyond his constituency. His vision does not shrink to one area, it expands to include all the three senatorial zones of the state.
We admit that criticism is healthy in a democracy. However, such criticism must be grounded in truth, not sentiment or selective interpretation. Genuine criticism should build, not merely provoke or destroy.
Wadada has consistently shown that he stands with his people. He has spoken for them, acted for them, and directed his efforts toward their well-being. At this point, we must recognize that leadership requires movement beyond the obvious, beyond the immediate, and beyond the visible—just as Wadada is demonstrating.
The essence of leadership is not idleness; it is purposeful movement aimed at seeking ways and means to improve the lives of the people.