An aspirant for the Gashaka, Kurmi, Sardauna Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Fanuel D. Lawrence, has lamented what he described as decades of neglect and poor representation in the area since the return of democracy in 1999.

Lawrence spoke at the weekend during the commissioning of the APC secretariat in Gashaka Local Government Area, where he urged residents to participate fully in the 2027 electoral process and shun political apathy.

“As a young person exposed to the wider world, I can say our constituency has not been fairly represented. The dividends of democracy have not reached us. Apart from lawmaking, lawmakers must lobby for projects, but if you look critically, no major project has been brought to our constituency,” he said.

He accused past representatives of failing to attract meaningful federal presence to the area, insisting that effective lobbying was essential for development.

Calling on eligible voters to take their civic responsibilities seriously, Lawrence urged constituents to register, obtain their voter cards, and turn out en masse on election day.

“Don’t just sit down and say your vote doesn’t count. Be part of the process. Ensure you get your voter’s card, go out on election day, and make sure your voice counts,” he said.

Describing the constituency’s condition as “sad,” Lawrence expressed optimism that with collective effort, the area’s challenges could be addressed and its story “rewritten for good.”

He also commended President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as a democrat committed to justice, due process, and the rule of law.

Echoing Lawrence’s concerns, a party chieftain, Alhaji Tanko Mohammed, stressed the importance of lobbying in politics, noting that the party’s immediate focus was on the primary election.

APC state chairman, Barrister Tukur Ibrahim El-Sudi, also commended the aspirant and assured party members that all aspirants would be given a level playing field ahead of the primaries.