Enagi Explains Why He Wants to Return to the Senate

One of the “stars” of the 9th Senate, Senator Muhammad Bima Enagi was unable to serve in the 10th Senate due to his defeat in the 2023 elections. He talks about why he wants to try again and how the nation could be better in this interview.

What is your opinion on the current administration?

I have to acknowledge that this administration’s policies are beneficial to the nation. A few of them should have been introduced long ago. I applaud Mr. President for his audacity, as the introduction of programs requires audacity and someone with a clear vision. The country’s economy was being negatively impacted by fuel subsidies. It was impeding the nation’s progress. As a consuming nation, we import commonplace items that we ought to manufacture domestically. We are fortunate to have gasoline, but we are unable to refine it, thus Mr. President’s choice is praiseworthy. Everyone will benefit from this audacity and vision in the future. I also readily applaud the president’s foreign exchange floating strategy. Through a practice known as “round-tripping,” many people were profiting while harming the country. They would go to the market to stockpile and resell dollars at outrageous prices after purchasing them at the official price.

But don’t you think it’s an issue that these policies have led to inflation and made life more difficult for the common Nigerian?Current Events in Nigeria

There will undoubtedly be suffering as you take certain steps. That’s what’s going on right now. Things will work out in the long term. If we don’t follow the policies, things won’t look good, so for the time being, we must all put up with it.

As a former central banker, what is the best way to mitigate the effects?

First, instead of continuing to live as a consuming nation, we should focus on producing. The resources saved by eliminating the gasoline subsidy ought to be put toward increasing output. Second, we shouldn’t tamper with agriculture because our nation is arable. Agricultural inputs, such as farming tools, fertilizers, seedlings, pesticides, herbicides, etc., should currently be subsidized by the government. Local farmers will perish as a result of this country’s food importation policies. I would also advise the government to take a firm stance against corruption. It is true that “corruption will kill Nigeria if Nigeria fails to kill corruption.” Corruption must be eradicated if Nigeria is to flourish and the beneficial policies we currently have in place are to yield long-term benefits. Thankfully, the current administration has begun acting in a way that demonstrates its commitment to eliminating corruption. All that is required is to maintain or even accelerate the tempo. Because insecurity affects agriculture and other facets of our economy, the government must take decisive action. Currently, a lot of farmers have left their farms and fled their communities in search of safety, thus something needs to be done to maintain order.

Do you think President Ahmed Bola Tinubu would serve another term given his performance?

Indeed. I think Nigerians would give him their mandates once more so he may keep working for the country’s improvement because he has put it on the correct track. Right now, the nation needs consolidation.

What is your assessment of the present Niger State administration’s performance?

It is going fairly well. Given that he is a young man with experience from the Mational Assembly, the governor is likely to perform effectively. Nonetheless, I would suggest that the education sector receive more attention.

What do you think about not being a member of the 10th Senate?

God is aware of the reason behind my exclusion from the 10th Senate. I didn’t participate in corrupt politics, so even though I won the election, it was taken away from me. “Wuru-wuru” is not tolerated in the structured organization where I used to work, but in terms of politics, things are different. Politics

Why are you claiming to have won while INEC did not declare you the winner?

Clearly, I won the election. I received more than 100,000 votes, while the PDP received almost 99,000. However, the PDP was able to alter the numbers for two local government districts, Katcha and Lavun. not the numbers reported at the senate collation center in Bida that were tallied at the local government collation centers. They took away 2,000 of my votes in Katcha. I received more than 13,000 votes in Lavun, while the PDP received almost 12,000. However, the PDP received 14,000 votes in the senate collation center. Although everything was twisted, it was evident from the iREV data that I prevailed.

Why were you unable to present your case in court?

Both the high court and the appeal court dismissed my petition on technical grounds because my attorney made mistakes during the petitioning process. They didn’t even try to review everything we sent in. I’m not sure if my attorney intentionally mistreated me or if it was a divine intervention.

Given that you acknowledged that politics is a dirty game and prone to manipulations, which your type of person isn’t at ease with, what lessons have you learned now that you are running for office again?

I’m running again because I think the system needs to be altered. If we want things to function, we must sanitize our politics and our way of life in general because cheating is wicked. Yes, I was deceived, but I’m glad I wasn’t the one because I don’t want God to be angry with me. Our people now see that it was a grave error on my behalf to not serve in the tenth senate. Every day, they beckon and beg me to come out once more. Things will improve if there are morally upright people in positions of power in this nation.

What would you say about your tenure in the Senate?

I am pleased with what I accomplished there. I give thanks to God for His direction; I was able to do some things that I never would have imagined. Perhaps that’s why my folks are eager for me to return. People are grateful for the initiatives I completed, the bills I supported, and the motions I successfully moved. I made a strong case for them. The documents are present. People talk to me every day, but I’m not supposed to evaluate myself.

If you come back, what are your plans?

My people will be much better off if I go back. I’ll apply my knowledge to improve the situation. I’ll go there with enough vigor for this nation’s citizens as well. My bills have the power to alter the course of events in our nation. Among other things, I have bills about power, education, and corruption. We are all aware of how corruption has severely impacted Nigerian society and how the government is impeding the nation’s progress. Without electricity, our nation cannot become industrialized. By God’s will, things will change when I go back.

How wisely did you manage the resources you had while in office?

Visit Niger South to witness the many excellent projects I completed. I’m not boasting; everyone is aware that what I accomplished in just three years exceeded what all of my predecessors accomplished between 1999 and 2019. When I get back, I’ll do more. My ability to manage resources and my constant care for people’s well-being are my secrets.