Constituents of Ringim and Taura Federal Constituency have rejected and returned cash gifts given to them by their representative in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sa’adu Wada Taura.The incident followed the lawmaker’s publication of names of individuals who, according to him, had benefited from cash gifts or support since he assumed office in 2023.Hon. Taura recently unveiled what he described as his “book of achievements” during the Jigawa State Citizens Engagement Programme, organised by the state government to showcase the achievements of elected officials and review campaign promises made during the 2023 general elections.However, the event took a dramatic turn when constituents booed the lawmaker, preventing him from listing some of his claimed achievements.A copy of the “book of achievements” obtained by STANDARD TRUST contains the names of 154 individuals said to have benefited from his financial assistance in the past two years.Findings by our correspondent revealed that the publication angered several recipients, prompting some to return the money directly to the lawmaker’s personal account.One of the beneficiaries, Haruna Sintilmawa—who had received ₦20,000—confirmed to STANDARD TRUST that he had refunded the amount.“It was embarrassing and disgraceful. One day we met and greeted, and he gave me ₦20,000 as a gift. I never requested any support, yet my name appeared in a book publicly listing me as a beneficiary,” he said. “The amount is something I can easily afford or even give to others.”Similarly, Ummahani Hassan, who had received ₦50,000 in wedding assistance, also refunded the money through her husband, Haruna Isiyaku. In another case, security guards of the Ringim Emirate Council returned ₦100,000 they were said to have received.Many others whose names appeared on the list have vowed to return the money, accusing the lawmaker of deliberately attempting to shame his constituents and misrepresent the constituency.All efforts to obtain Hon. Taura’s response were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report
