Hon. Joshua Audu Gana, the House of Representatives member for Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Constituency, has told his constituents that he will not steal to fund projects in the area. Speaking to PDP stakeholders in Mokwa Local Government on Tuesday, April 1, Gana explained that he could not meet all the expectations of the people, as he is not God.
His remarks came after several PDP stakeholders, including local party chairman Suleiman Kupanti, voiced dissatisfaction with his performance. In response, a visibly frustrated Gana said that some of the demands were unrealistic because the public did not fully understand the different levels of government. He assured them he would direct their concerns to the appropriate channels.
“I thank God that I am not God,” Gana said. “I can’t answer all your prayers. Only God can do that. Public office is not about using personal money. The funds are government money, not mine. If you want to judge me, look at the national budget and check the allocation for Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency. See if the projects were fully funded, then come and ask me about it.”
He added that if the government did not provide the funds for projects, he could not steal to fulfill the expectations. “My father is not a thief, and neither is anyone in my family. You will not make me a thief. I cannot steal for what is not provided,” Gana said.
Gana also noted that his position in the opposition may be a factor in the lack of funds for constituency projects. “The ruling party today is APC, and I am in the opposition. If you compare now to what happened when PDP was in power, you’re not being fair,” he said.
However, his response did not sit well with some constituents, who urged him to stop complaining and focus on working for the people. They emphasized that they would not tolerate incompetence.
One resident said, “This is not how a politician should respond. There’s no wisdom in his speech. He’s just using big words. If you can’t handle this job, then leave. Respect is earned, not bought, and how you relate to people speaks volumes about you.”