By Abu Micheal
There was a time when Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani held no political office but had already earned considerable goodwill among residents of Lokoja. From Lagos, he supported people facing challenges with school fees, hospital bills, water supply and youth-related concerns. He reportedly organised his limited resources to respond to requests for assistance, building relationships that later became part of his political appeal.
Against this background, his election in 2023 was widely viewed by his supporters as a reflection of the goodwill he had cultivated before entering public office. They argue that voters were not choosing an unfamiliar politician but someone whose interventions had already brought him into contact with members of the community.
That context is important in assessing the debate over his political future and the arguments being advanced for continuity in Lokoja I Constituency.
The Challenges of Representing Lokoja I
Representing Lokoja I in the Kogi State House of Assembly is different from operating as a private philanthropist. As the state capital, Lokoja presents unique challenges, with residents, traders, students, commercial transport operators and civil servants looking to their elected representative for attention to their concerns.
The demands are enormous, while available resources remain limited. In a difficult economic environment, no individual can meet every need at once.
This distinction between private generosity and public responsibility is central to the debate surrounding Hon. Bin-Ebaiya, popularly known as TeamBest. While private assistance may be directed towards selected individuals, public office requires balancing competing needs, supporting legislation and working with relevant authorities to deliver development.
His supporters maintain that his performance should therefore be assessed against the responsibilities of the office, the resources available and the interventions he has facilitated.
Lawmaking, Transportation and Urban Challenges
The primary responsibility of a legislator is to make laws, provide oversight and represent the interests of constituents. According to his supporters, Bin-Ebaiya has remained active in legislative proceedings and has raised issues affecting residents of Lokoja.
Among the issues attributed to his legislative engagement are proposals concerning the expansion and improvement of the Lokoja mass transit system, with the aim of addressing concerns over transportation costs and arbitrary charges by commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators.
He has also reportedly drawn attention to water supply, youth unemployment and the pressures associated with living in a rapidly developing state capital.
These issues remain important to residents, although the impact of legislative interventions is best assessed through official records, implementation outcomes and measurable improvements in people’s lives.
Collaboration and Development in Lokoja
TeamBest’s supporters also point to his working relationship with the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, who represents Lokoja II.
They argue that cooperation between the two lawmakers has created opportunities to advance issues affecting the wider Lokoja metropolis and attract development interventions.
In legislative politics, relationships with fellow lawmakers and relevant government institutions can influence how constituency concerns are presented, prioritised and addressed. However, the results of such collaborations ultimately depend on the specific projects facilitated and the extent to which they benefit residents.
Water Supply: From Private Intervention to Public Representation
Before his election, Bin-Ebaiya reportedly intervened in water-related challenges in Lokoja, including water reticulation and repairs to damaged pipes across traditional wards, from Karaworo to Up Garage.
The article’s author states that the intervention received public commendation from the Hakimi of Ward C during his earlier activities in the community.
His supporters say he has continued to demonstrate interest in water supply since becoming a lawmaker, including through borehole projects and efforts to facilitate further interventions.
Access to potable water remains a significant concern in many communities. For Lokoja residents, the sustainability, coverage and functionality of these projects are important measures of their value.
Education: 500 Free JAMB Forms and Examination Support
Education is another area highlighted by supporters of the Lokoja I lawmaker.
Under his Educational Development Programme, Bin-Ebaiya reportedly provided 500 free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration forms for constituents.
He is also said to have organised computer-based examination preparation for candidates sitting the JAMB, West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations.
According to the account, he has further promised special rewards for the ten best-performing male and female candidates.
If sustained and adequately documented, such initiatives could help reduce some of the financial barriers facing students and encourage academic excellence.
For families struggling with education expenses, support with registration and examination preparation can provide practical assistance. The long-term impact, however, should be measured through participation figures, examination outcomes and the number of beneficiaries who progress to further education.
A Leadership Style Built Around Accessibility
Bin-Ebaiya is often described by his supporters as an unassuming politician whose approach is characterised by calmness, accessibility and relationship-building.
They argue that his reserved disposition has sometimes been mistaken for weakness, even though they consider his ability to listen, maintain relationships and continue working amid disagreements to be among his strengths.
In a politically competitive environment, such qualities can help facilitate engagement across different groups. Nevertheless, residents may reasonably assess leadership through both personal accessibility and tangible results.
The challenge for any lawmaker is to ensure that a modest public profile does not prevent constituents from understanding the work being done on their behalf.
Lokoja I APC Primary: The Debate Over Consensus and Party Unity
The question of a second term has also generated political discussions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lokoja I.
According to the author, some of the opposition to Bin-Ebaiya has come from Ward A, where certain stakeholders reportedly believed that it was their turn to produce the constituency’s candidate.
Such disagreements are not unusual in party politics, where zoning arrangements, political interests and competing ambitions can shape the selection of candidates.
The author further states that stakeholders conducted a secret-ballot process involving aspirants and that the outcome was 18 votes for Bin-Ebaiya, six votes for one contender and one vote for another.
These figures and the circumstances surrounding the process should be confirmed against the party’s official records.
For supporters of the lawmaker, the reported outcome provides a basis for urging dissatisfied aspirants and their supporters to reconcile with the party’s position. Others may have their own perspectives on representation, fairness and the distribution of political opportunities.
Ultimately, the credibility of an internal selection process depends on adherence to party rules, transparency and acceptance of legitimate procedures.
Reconciliation After the Contest
The author argues that party members should consider the broader implications of prolonged internal disagreements after a candidate-selection process.
In his view, reconciliation would allow members to redirect their energy towards constituency development and the party’s wider political objectives rather than sustaining divisions.
He also appeals to aggrieved stakeholders to consider whether supporting another political party would advance their interests or further weaken their influence within the APC.
However, political disagreements cannot always be resolved by appeals to party loyalty alone. Meaningful reconciliation often requires dialogue, assurances of inclusion and a willingness to address concerns raised by dissatisfied members.
For Lokoja I, the task is to find a workable balance between respecting the outcome of the selection process and maintaining an environment in which party members feel heard.
Continuity Versus Change: What Should Constituents Consider?
The argument for continuity rests on the belief that experience, established relationships and familiarity with constituency challenges can help an incumbent build on previous interventions.
Supporters contend that Bin-Ebaiya has gained experience in legislative engagement and constituency representation since his election in 2023. They also argue that his reported education and water-supply initiatives demonstrate an effort to address practical community needs.
Nevertheless, continuity should not automatically exempt an incumbent from scrutiny. Constituents are entitled to examine legislative attendance, motions sponsored, oversight activities, projects facilitated, funds committed and the actual benefits delivered to communities.
Likewise, calls for change should be evaluated against the qualifications, proposals and records of alternative aspirants.
The central question is not simply whether an incumbent deserves another term, but what evidence demonstrates progress and what commitments would improve representation in the future.
For supporters of TeamBest, his existing experience and reported interventions form the basis of their case for another term. A comprehensive assessment would also consider residents’ feedback, unresolved needs and the performance of competing candidates.
Ward B and the Question of Political Ownership
The author makes a particular appeal to APC members in Ward B to take a more active role in discussions about TeamBest’s political future.
He argues that the ward’s participation in the campaign and its engagement with the lawmaker could influence how constituents perceive their representation and political relevance.
However, political ownership should be understood as more than a demand for electoral victory. It also involves participation in decision-making, access to the representative, attention to community priorities and accountability for promises made.
For Ward B stakeholders, the opportunity is to articulate clear expectations and establish how the lawmaker’s performance can be measured if he secures another term.
The Road Ahead for TeamBest
As discussions over the next electoral cycle continue, Bin-Ebaiya’s supporters are making the case that his record, experience and relationships within the legislature justify consideration of another term.
They acknowledge that no elected representative can satisfy every demand, but maintain that his reported interventions in education, water supply, transportation and constituency engagement deserve recognition.
At the same time, the debate presents an opportunity for the lawmaker and his supporters to document achievements more clearly, address outstanding concerns and demonstrate how a second term would deliver measurable improvements.
For APC members in Lokoja I, reconciliation, fair internal processes and constructive engagement could help reduce divisions. For constituents, the priority remains effective representation and tangible development, regardless of political affiliation.
Whether continuity or change ultimately receives public support will depend on the choices of party members and voters, the credibility of the selection process and the competing records and proposals presented to the electorate.
For TeamBest, the immediate task is to translate the argument for continuity into a clear programme of accountability, stronger constituency engagement and demonstrable results.