Hon Chiroma Buba Mashio, a serving member of the Yobe State House of Assembly who has been in the house for 24 years, recently emerged as Speaker of the 8th Assembly. In this interview, he speaks about his journey through politics as well as his experience in the house for the past two decades.
How did you find yourself in politics?
My journey into politics was a litmus test when my ward opted for my representation as a counsellor in 1996 under non-party (zero party). Later on, I was nominated as Vice Chairman of Fune Local Government Council. A year after, our election was dissolved. In 1998 after General Sani Abacha’s demise, General Abdulsalam Abubakar took over and handed over power to the civilian government where political parties like APP, PDP etc. were formed.
I contested the councillorship seat then but failed. It was arranged that on May 29, 1999, those elected politicians would take over after which state assemblies would be constituted. That was how I was elected into the Yobe State House of Assembly, representing Jajere Constituency under the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP), and sworn in.
In 2003, I decamped to the ruling party in the state (APP) because my father had been promoted from village head to Emir of Jajere Emirate in Fune LGA during Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim. There were concerns here and there in the state that I was in the opposition party (PDP) while the ruling party (APP) promoted my father to Emir from district head. So, remaining in PDP was like sabotaging the development of our family which is why I left PDP for the ruling party (APP).
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I didn’t decamp to secure a ticket for my re-election but rather to reaffirm my commitment to the development of our family. Luckily, I got the ticket from the ruling party to run for the seat again from the governor and party stakeholders. From there, my journey began till now that I was elected as Speaker of the 8th Yobe State House of Assembly.
You are a 7th-time member, meaning the longest-serving lawmaker in the state. Tell us how you maintained your position.
I’m a grassroots politician who grew up in politics and I’m loved by my people. In return, I have a special love for my people. I reach out to them by paying regular visits, condolence visits, and sympathising with them whenever a disaster occurs. I never run away from them; even if I do not attend, I send strong delegations to represent me.
Similarly, when people come with their problems, I address them based on my ability and capacity as a lawmaker. Sometimes, people come with the demand of N100,000 to settle hospital bills or school fees for children and I pay half. If it’s N50,000, I can pay N25,000 or N20,000. That is how I kept retaining my seat and supporters.
Also, there are some people who don’t want your money, money is not everything. Even if you share the salary and allowances of state assembly members, it would not be enough to solve their problems. In fact, my salary and allowances cannot woo supporters for me. What people need is care, love and a sense of belonging. When they call your number, pick up the call, and talk to them in a mature manner.
For the past 24 years, no one has ever challenged my victory in court because they know that I win my election fair and squarely without any argument. My people are with me; they have been supporting me without any objection. This is to show you how I have been standing with my people no matter the predicament. So, you shouldn’t disappoint your supporters because there will be times when you will need their assistance and they will respond too.
How did you emerge as Speaker?
Since my first inauguration, I’ve worked with over 140 members of the state assembly. I understand the habits and characters of the people because everybody comes with his peculiar behaviour but I never fight with anyone. I don’t prioritize my opinion over theirs. Whenever I bring up my idea and they do not agree with it, I set aside my opinion to allow them express their own and if their opinion is better, we go with it; if mine is better we go with it. That is how we worked together.
I never argue with anybody because I understand people’s opinions and I respect mine. That is why Governor Mai Mala Buni and stakeholders in the state as well as the members agreed to support me this time around; they think I can do better. I am patient, tolerant and obedient. Also, I am a very understanding person. I have never fought with anybody in the chamber; everybody will testify to that.
You (Journalists) are my witnesses that during our speakership election, no one opposed my candidature. I won this election unopposed which is to show you that I co-exist peacefully with party members and the 23 colleagues of the Assembly.
Some people said you emerged as Speaker because you are Fulani just like your predecessor Ahmed Mirwa, how true is this?
All I know is that my predecessor Rt. Hon Ahmed Garba Mirwa emerged as Speaker by the will of God. I too won this election because of my experience, commitment and dedication to my duty and it is the will of God. So, it is wrong for anyone to say that I emerged because it is a Fulani quarter or Fulani seat. In Yobe, we are playing politics without bitterness. In fact, we are united without the politics of tribalism. So, I was not elected Speaker because I’m a Fulani man; all I know is that the government decided to support me because of my long experience in the house and the support that I have been giving to other speakers before me. I have never challenged their candidature or leadership.
What will be the 8th Yobe Assembly’s focus under your leadership?
Nothing new will be created in the house; we have the laws in place and all we need to do is to collaborate with Governor Mai Mala Buni to develop the state for the betterment of Yobe people. We will work together with relevant stakeholders towards the development of our people.
Our fellow members are committed to solving the demands and problems of the people. Most of them have experience; some have worked in local government councils while others worked in different places. I think we will work hand in hand to make laws that will benefit the state and the country at large.
In a nutshell, what is the relationship between the state assembly and the executive?
For the past 24 years that I have been in this chamber, we have never experienced any conflict or crises between the house and executive council. Although there are misunderstandings among us sometimes, but we usually solve them in very mature and responsible ways without even allowing you journalists to know. That is why when the relationship is peaceful, you guys call us rubber stamps but we are not perturbed about that.
What is your stand on the financial autonomy of state legislatures and state judiciary?
To the best of my knowledge, financial issue is the main reason this system has not been implemented. What we are obtaining from the state government is not enough to cater to our demands and bills but since there are issues of financial challenges, I think with time things will change.
Lastly, how many bills have you presented and how many committees have you served?
I cannot recount how many bills I’ve presented, but I can recall vividly that I served on various committees of the house and was also the majority leader of the house in 2007.
I served as chairman house committee on Information and Culture and also worked as chairman house committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs then chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and finally headed the Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
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