By Abdul Lauya
When Senator Bulus K. Amos first assumed office on June 11, 2019, expectations in Gombe South were high. The zone, long neglected and underrepresented, wanted more than lofty promises.
By his midterm in 2021, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Amos had already put down markers that would define his tenure and shape his case for a second term in 2027.
His 9-point manifesto, built on fairness, equality, opportunity, and justice, was not abandoned after the elections. Instead, it guided his early years in the Senate.
By midterm, Amos had built a record that set him apart as a lawmaker willing to back his words with action, a reputation that continues to resonate as 2027 approaches.
Legislative Advocacy
Amos’ first two years in the Red Chamber were notable for legislative footprint. He sponsored bills for the establishment of the Federal College of Agriculture in Bambam and the Federal Institute of Information and Communication Technology in Billiri.
While one advanced to the committee stage and another cleared its second reading, these efforts demonstrated his determination to attract federal institutions to Gombe South.
He also made weighty contributions to Senate debates, calling out unregistered SIM cards that frustrate security agencies in tracking kidnappers, and pushing for stronger controls against the spread of small arms. By 2021, his interventions had already placed him among the more active voices on national issues.
Peacebuilding and Security
Perhaps his quiet but significant midterm legacy was in security and cohesion. For years, Tangale-Waja had been a flashpoint for communal clashes. By 2020, Amos had introduced the idea of an Annual Peace Carnival to bridge divides among ethnic groups.
Though the maiden edition was suspended by the pandemic, his deliberate engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community influencers helped calm tensions.
Since his inauguration, the zone has witnessed relative peace, an outcome that many quietly credit to his bridge-building efforts.
Grassroots Empowerment and Education
Amos’ midterm years also delivered practical interventions at the community level. He distributed 500 JAMB scratch cards to vulnerable youths, opening wider access to tertiary education for families that could not afford it.
He also installed an electricity transformer in Balanga LGA, improving power supply for households and small businesses, thereby stimulating local economic activity.
Even in the thick of COVID-19, he found creative ways to respond. Working with student and youth associations, Amos sponsored the production and distribution of 5,000 hand sanitizers across Gombe South, an intervention that both supported public health and empowered young people in the process.
Transparency on Constituency Projects
Amos also sought to demystify one of Nigeria’s most contentious issues: constituency projects. While critics accuse lawmakers of pocketing billions, he explained candidly that legislators merely nominate projects, while ministries and agencies handle funding and execution. His honesty about the limits of his office stood him out as transparent at a time when mistrust defines politics.
Why 2027 Matters
Amos’ first-term record, especially his 2019–2021 midterm achievements, provides a foundation that Gombe South cannot afford to discard lightly.
Four years in the Senate was never going to undo decades of neglect.
But by his midterm, Amos had already shown capacity, creativity, and integrity, qualities the zone still needs as it looks toward 2027.
Critics may argue that some of his promises remain unfulfilled, and they would be right. Yet the reality of governance, compounded by a global pandemic, shaped those outcomes.
What cannot be denied is that Amos delivered enough within his first four years to prove he is not a politician of empty words.
As Gombe South weighs its choices in 2027, the question may not be whether Amos deserves another term. The real question is whether the zone can risk losing a lawmaker whose midterm record already set him apart as, the promise keeper Gombe South needs again.
For advert placement and inquiries, publication of press releases, and news coverages, please call: Phone: 08052898434 Email: editor@eyereporters.com, click here to view the advert rates.
