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By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas,  has formally begun his campaign for a fifth term, drawing a vast crowd of supporters to a declaration event in Zaria on Saturday.

First elected to the House in 2011, Abbas used the gathering to highlight what he described as tangible progress and development projects delivered to the Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State. He pointed to visible infrastructure and constituency initiatives as evidence of what he called practical representation.

The event took place at the Mallawa Eid Ground, where supporters turned out in large numbers to receive him. Earlier in the day, thousands of loyalists staged a solidarity march, setting off from the Emir’s Palace around mid-afternoon. The procession moved through key parts of the city, including Babban Dodo, Lemu, Kofar Doka and Tudun Wada, before arriving at the venue later in the afternoon.

Abbas also acknowledged the backing of President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, while party leaders from the APC expressed support for his re-election bid.

He said: “These are not theories. These are visible projects. These are measurable results, the Speaker stated, adding that the constituency projects have empowered the constituents and changed the lives of his people.

“Today, I formally declare my intention to seek another mandate to represent the good people of Zaria Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. This declaration is not based on promises alone. It is based on work. It is based on results. It is based on a record that our people can see and verify.

“When you first entrusted me with this responsibility, I made a commitment that representation would not be distant from the people. I said leadership must produce visible outcomes. I said public office must improve lives. And together, we have worked to fulfill that promise”.

Before becoming Speaker of the House, the Zaria representative stated that he remained “one of the most active lawmakers in the country,” as he sponsored 74 bills, out of which 21 were signed into law. “These were not efforts designed for publicity. They were aimed at solving problems and strengthening governance,” he said.

The Speaker, at the declaration ceremony held at the Mallawa Eid Ground along New Jos Road in Zaria, reeled out several impactful and developmental constituency projects attracted to Zaria, noting that legislation alone is not enough “if people do not feel the impact of representation in their daily lives.”

He stated that this is why his representation of Zaria at the House brought development closer to the people.

“We supported farmers with tractors, fertilisers, and agricultural equipment because we understand the importance of agriculture to our economy and to the survival of our families.

“We supported transport operators, party structures, community leaders, youth groups, and small business owners with tricycles and motorcycles to improve livelihoods, strengthen mobility, and create opportunities.

“We expanded these interventions on a larger scale by distributing 117 vehicles, 200 tricycles, and 1,000 motorcycles across communities, support groups, religious leaders, polling unit structures, and grassroots stakeholders.

“when our people needed direct economic support, we acted.”He recalled that 2,400 beneficiaries received direct financial support to strengthen their businesses and support their families, while 800 trained beneficiaries received N250,000 each, with 1,600 small business owners receiving N100,000 each.

“That is practical representation. That is the kind of leadership our people deserve,” Speaker Abbas stated.

On education, the Speaker said deliberate steps were taken “because we understand that the future of Zaria depends on the strength of our schools and institutions.”

Consequently, he facilitated the establishment of the Education City project in Zaria, a development valued at about N80 billion. “This is not an ordinary project. It is an investment in the future of our children and the future of Northern Nigeria,” he stated.

In addition, he supported about 30,000 students through a scholarship programme valued at N5 billion. He pointed out that this support for many families created “opportunities that would otherwise have remained beyond reach.”

Furthermore, Speaker Abbas cited cases of rehabilitated schools, support for the establishment of additional educational institutions, and expansion of educational access “because we believe education remains the strongest path to progress.”

The Speaker also spoke about healthcare, saying, “We worked to improve access for ordinary people across our constituency and beyond.” He noted that primary healthcare centres (PHCs) were facilitated across communities “so that families can receive medical attention closer to home.”

He said, “Just last week, we commissioned the newly completed 100-bed Specialist Hospital, facilitated through our constituency intervention efforts, with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is in addition to broader investments we have continued to support in healthcare infrastructure to improve access, strengthen service delivery, and raise the quality of care available to our people.”

On infrastructure, Speaker Abbas said his representation of Zaria connected communities through roads, bridges, and rural access projects because development must reach every part of our constituency. Communities that were previously neglected are now linked to economic and social opportunities.

Speaker Abbas recalled that with his constituents’ support and the confidence of his colleagues across Nigeria, he was elected Speaker of the 10th House with 353 votes, making it “one of the strongest mandates in the history of the House.” He stressed that the responsibility demanded hard work, discipline, and leadership, “and we immediately went to work.”

Within less than two years, Speaker Abbas said the House introduced and considered more than 2,000 bills, with more than 180 bills passed and over 50 already signed into law. “That is not routine performance. That is a legislature working with purpose and direction,” he declared.

The speaker said, “On security, we strengthened the legal framework to support our security agencies. On education, we expanded access through the student loan system. On the economy, we processed major reform legislation aimed at stabilising the country and improving long-term growth. Through oversight, the House recovered billions of naira on behalf of the Nigerian people.

“We also opened the House to citizens. We engaged young people. We expanded participation for women. We strengthened public engagement because democracy must remain connected to the people.”

He added: “My dear people, when I stand before you today, I stand before you with a record. A record of service. A record of performance. A record of commitment. A record that speaks for itself. Zaria Federal Constituency cannot afford to slow down. This constituency deserves experienced leadership. It deserves strong representation. It deserves continuity. It deserves a voice that understands governance, understands development, and understands how to attract opportunities for our people.

“This is not the time for uncertainty. This is not the time for experiments. This is the time to consolidate the progress we have made together.

“Our youth need more opportunities. Our traders need stronger support. Our farmers need improved security and infrastructure. Our schools need continued investment. Our communities need sustained development. And I remain fully committed to that mission.

“I am ready to continue this work. I am ready to deepen the progress we have made. I am ready to continue representing you with dignity, focus, and results. This campaign is not about one individual. It is about the future of Zaria Federal Constituency. It is about ensuring that our people remain connected to opportunities at the national level. It is about strengthening the voice of our constituency within the leadership of Nigeria.

“So, today, I ask for your continued support. I ask for your prayers. I ask for your trust once again. Let us continue this journey together. Let us continue building a constituency that reflects the strength, the history, and the potential of our people.”

While describing Saturday in Zaria Federal Constituency as “an important day in our political journey,” Speaker Abbas said he stands before the people “with gratitude, with confidence, and with a clear sense of purpose.” He added, “I stand before you once again to renew my commitment to serve our people.”

The Speaker thanked His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for “the courage and determination he continues to demonstrate in leading Nigeria through difficult but necessary reforms.” He noted that, “Leadership is not always about easy decisions. Sometimes it requires sacrifice, patience, and the courage to take responsibility for the future. President Tinubu has shown that courage.”

Speaker Abbas appreciates His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, “for the steady work he is doing to promote peace, expand development, and stabilise Kaduna State.”

He also thanked the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the ward to the national level, while extending his thanksgiving to traditional rulers, religious leaders, elders, women, youth, professionals, traders, artisans, farmers, students, and supporters across every ward and community in Zaria and Sabon Gari.

“Your support has remained the foundation of this movement,” the Speaker said.

This is just as several stakeholders in the APC in Kaduna, who attended the event, hailed Speaker Abbas for his leadership and qualitative representation of Zaria at the House.