A civic group under the banner of The Concerned Citizens of Karu has expressed strong disappointment over what it described as the gross insensitivity of elected public officials in Karu Local Government Area for failing to support the poor during the just-concluded Eid-El-Kabir celebration.
Speaking with journalists in Karu on Sallah day, the group’s Interim Publicity Secretary, Mr. Nasir Isa, condemned the apparent lack of empathy from political leaders, accusing them of abandoning the very people who supported their emergence at the polls.
Mr. Isa noted that the absence of Sallah relief packages or gestures of solidarity from public office holders during a period of rising economic hardship was not only disappointing but “inhumane and unacceptable.”
“With the soaring cost of living, many families in Karu struggled to afford basic necessities, let alone celebrate Sallah with traditional meals, clothing, or gifts,” he lamented. “While elected representatives in other parts of the country showed concern by providing Sallah packages, here in Karu, we were forgotten.”
He specifically called out prominent political figures representing the area, including Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, House of Representatives member Hon. Gaza Jonathan, and Karu Local Government Chairman, Barr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki, accusing them of doing “absolutely nothing” to support their constituents during the festive season.
“If it were an election period, they would be going from village to village asking for votes,” Isa said. “But once in office, they become unreachable and detached from the people.”
The group also challenged Senator Wadada and Hon. Gaza to publicly enumerate their achievements and interventions in Karu since assuming office, insisting that the people deserve accountability.
He further criticized Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, alleging that apart from the construction of a bus terminus near the Muhammadu Buhari International Market in his first tenure, there is little to show in Karu in terms of direct impact.
In a passionate appeal, Isa urged residents of Karu to become more discerning in their electoral choices going forward.
“Our people must begin to question and scrutinize those who seek public office. We cannot continue to reward leaders who disappear after elections and reappear only when they need our votes,” he added.
