The Accord Party candidate for Karim Lamido, Ardo-Kola and Lau Federal Constituency of Taraba State, Dr Tijo Kenneth Mingeh, has urged voters to reject politicians who have failed to deliver on their mandates in previous elections.

Dr. Mingeh made the call on Wednesday in Jalingo at a press conference to formally launch the commencement of his campaign to contest for the House of Representatives in 2027 in Jalingo.

The House of Reps Candidate said, the electorate should no longer tolerate elected representatives, who become inaccessible to the people after securing their mandates, stressing that voters have the power to determine who represents them at the National Assembly.

He assured that, the Osun experience will be replicated in the coming elections in Taraba State.

According to him, the commencement of the 2027 political campaign provided an opportunity for the people of the constituency to reassess the performance of their representatives and make informed choices at the polls.

“Any politician that has not performed should not be allowed to return for a second term. The era of nonchalant attitude during elections is no longer realistic. The people have the power to change their representatives through their votes,” he said.

Dr. Mingeh, who said he had been involved in politics for about 20 years, alleged that there was a disconnect between the incumbent representative and the people, particularly rural farmers.

He promised to provide a more accessible, inclusive and people-oriented representation if elected, saying his leadership would regularly interface with constituents to identify their needs and pursue solutions.

The candidate identified security, infrastructure, youth and women empowerment, health and education as the four major pillars of his proposed legislative agenda.

On security, he promised to collaborate with relevant federal security agencies to address farmer-herder conflicts and other forms of criminality affecting communities across the constituency.

He said his administration would also pursue federal infrastructure projects, including rural roads, boreholes, electricity expansion, transformers and mini solar grids to improve living conditions and economic activities.

Mingeh added, agriculture would receive particular attention, noting that more than 80 per cent of the population in the constituency depended on farming for their livelihood.

He pledged to facilitate agricultural value-chain programmes, skills acquisition centres, small and medium-scale enterprise support and other empowerment initiatives targeted at youths and women.

On health and education, the Accord candidate promised to pursue the upgrading of primary healthcare centres, improve access to essential medicines and to ensure anti-snake venom and to facilitate initiatives aimed at reducing health challenges confronting rural communities.

He also promised to provide scholarships and to support for indigent students, stressing that no child in the constituency should be left behind.

Mingeh said, his campaign manifesto, which would contain detailed sector-by-sector programmes for the constituency, would be unveiled to the electorate at a later date.

He assured the people that his campaign would be issue-based and peaceful, with emphasis on ideas and practical solutions rather than personal attacks.

“We will run an issue-based, peaceful and respectful campaign. No insults, no violence, only ideas and solutions,” he said.

The candidate also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and credible election in 2027.

He urged voters not to be intimidated by politicians who, according to him, lacked electoral value to the constituency, saying the electorate should exercise their constitutional right to choose leaders capable of delivering meaningful development.

Mingeh further promised to remain accessible to constituents and regularly consult them on projects and policies, insisting that effective representation must be driven by the needs and aspirations of the people.