‘My Constituents Vote for Competence, Not Party’ — Hon. Kwamoti Laori Speaks on 2027, Public Petitions and Tinubu’s Reforms

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions and member representing Demsa/Numan/Lamurde Federal Constituency of Adamawa State, Hon.

In the interview, Laori spoke on his re-election prospects, the political landscape in Adamawa State, insecurity, vote buying, his stewardship as chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, and his assessment of the reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Excerpts:

Q: Congratulations on emerging victorious at your party’s primary election. However, some observers believe your chances may be affected by the presence of influential political figures in Adamawa. How confident are you ahead of the 2027 elections?

Laori: Politics and elections are about the people, not individuals. No single person can determine how an entire constituency will vote. My constituency is politically enlightened. The people know who to vote for, when to vote and why they are voting. They cannot be swayed simply because of someone’s position, influence or wealth.

In fact, my constituents have a history of voting for different political parties for different offices during the same election because they place competence above party affiliation. They always choose who they believe can deliver.

Q: Why do you think your constituents often vote for different political parties in the same election?

Laori: It is because they are politically conscious. They evaluate candidates individually rather than blindly following party lines. When they believe a candidate has the capacity to perform, they vote for that person irrespective of the political party.

Q: Insecurity and vote buying remain major concerns ahead of the 2027 elections. How do you see these issues affecting your constituency and Nigeria generally?

Laori: Insecurity will certainly affect elections in some parts of the country, but I do not believe it will significantly affect my constituency. Adamawa is relatively peaceful, except for some communities close to insurgency-prone border areas.

Vote buying is still a reality, but I believe it will gradually decline as Nigerians become more politically aware. People are beginning to understand that electing credible leaders is more important than collecting money during elections. Over time, credibility will count more than money.

Q: You have served in the Adamawa State House of Assembly and have spent several years in the House of Representatives. Why did you choose to seek another term in the House instead of contesting for the Senate?

Laori: Experience is invaluable, and nothing prevents anyone from moving to the Senate. However, the current political realities within my party required that I remain in the House for now. The future may present different opportunities.

Q: As Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, what achievements are you most proud of, and what more do you hope to accomplish?

Laori: We have transformed the committee and changed its narrative. Nigerians now have greater confidence in our work because we handle petitions promptly and fairly.

We have submitted several reports, while others will be presented when the House resumes from recess. Our goal is to resolve between 80 and 90 per cent of the petitions before the committee before the end of this Assembly.

Today, we have over 900 petitions before us, which shows the confidence Nigerians have in the committee. Citizens from every part of the country can submit petitions through any member of the National Assembly, and we are committed to ensuring justice is done.

Q: Some people argue that the increasing number of petitions before your committee suggests the judiciary is failing Nigerians. Do you agree?

Laori: Not at all. The judiciary and the committee perform different constitutional roles. Court proceedings follow strict legal procedures and timelines, which can sometimes result in delays.

Our committee operates differently. We rely largely on alternative dispute resolution by bringing parties together to reach amicable settlements. Where that is not possible, we make recommendations based on the facts before us. That flexibility allows us to resolve many matters more quickly.

Q: You spoke earlier about credibility in leadership. Looking at President Tinubu’s administration, what achievements do you believe justify another term?

Laori: Major reforms do not produce immediate results. Like a pregnancy, they require time before the outcome becomes visible.

One significant achievement is the increase in allocations to state governments, which has improved their financial capacity. The student loan programme is another important initiative because it is helping indigent students pursue higher education.

The government is also implementing reforms in the security sector, including expanding military formations to strengthen operations across the country. As these reforms mature, Nigerians will appreciate their full impact.