Niger State Rep: “I Won’t Steal to Please Constituents”

Niger House of Reps Member Rejects Corruption for Votes

A member of the House of Representatives from Niger State recently made headlines after publicly stating, “I cannot steal to please you,” in response to pressure from his constituents. The remark was made during a public meeting where the legislator addressed growing demands for him to engage in corrupt practices or misuse his office for personal or community gains.

The statement appears to be a direct rebuttal to the corruption often associated with political officeholders in Nigeria, where some public officials are accused of prioritizing personal enrichment over the welfare of their constituents. The representative’s comment emphasizes his stance against engaging in unethical behavior or corruption, even if it means displeasing some of his supporters.

While some may see this as a commendable position, others in the community might view it as a refusal to address pressing local needs, which are sometimes believed to require such compromises in Nigerian politics. The representative’s comments sparked a mixture of reactions, with some applauding his integrity and others questioning whether his refusal to “steal” would impact his ability to fulfill his duties to his constituents.