Ibrahim Mohammed, Nigeria’s youngest elected lawmaker, has discussed his path to the House of Representatives and his plans for his constituents.
Mohammed, who represents Birnin-Kebbi, Kalgo, and Bunza Federal Constituency, stressed his commitment to maintaining close contact with his constituents in an interview with BBC Hausa.
After his elder brother, the late Barrister Abba Bello Mohammed, died tragically and unexpectedly, he was nominated and confirmed by the PDP and went on to win the election at the age of 27.
The son of a former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Bello Mohammed Haliru, said “I ventured into politics following the demise of my elder brother, who shared the same parents as me. He was initially contesting for this position, but we lost him a few days before the election.
As a result of this unfortunate event, our community felt that the support they had for my brother should be transferred to me. They approached me and encouraged by their endorsement, I contested the election and emerged as the winner.
When asked about the challenges he may have encountered, Mohammed responded;
So far, I have not encountered any significant challenges. However, one cannot predict what the future holds. Some individuals have expressed concerns regarding my age, but I firmly believe that intelligence and education are not solely determined by age. If it is Allah’s will, someone even younger than myself could be capable.
As for his plans to do things differently, Mohammed stated, “I intend to go back to my constituency and actively seek their advice. Since I am representing them, it is essential for me to always be present, listen to their grievances, and seek their input.
By doing so, they will feel a sense of ownership and belonging. I have made this choice because previous leaders tended to conceal their actions, and I believe in a more transparent approach.