Amb. Tsoken has since grown to become a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a formidable voice within the party’s reform movements. From leading the Presidential Campaign Council in Taraba State for the North-East Directorate to serving as National Coordinator of the Asiwaju Again Renewed Hope Support Initiative 2027, Tsoken has played pivotal roles in the mobilization and consolidation of political support for the Tinubu administration.
By Abdulrahman Aliagan
Nigeria today stands at a critical juncture where the need for accountability, transparency, and functional democratic structures at the grassroots has never been more urgent.
As communities across the nation struggle with infrastructural neglect, financial mismanagement, and limited access to essential services, the call for reforms that will truly empower local governments grows louder. At the forefront of this push for transformation is Ambassador Musa Muhammed Tsoken, a seasoned politician, respected diplomat, and National President of the All Progressives Congress Initiative For Good Governance (APC-IGG). Through a bold legislative proposal, he is shaping a new narrative in grassroots administration—one that promises to bring the federal presence closer to the people.
Ambassador Tsoken’s advocacy for federal representation in the 774 local government councils of Nigeria stems from a conviction that local governance must be strengthened for democracy to thrive. His proposed bill aims to create a more robust monitoring system, improve financial transparency, and eliminate frequent administrative bottlenecks that continue to obstruct meaningful development at the community level.
In his view, governance at the grassroots should be seamless, accountable, and responsive to the everyday needs of citizens. By pushing for federal officers to be embedded in local structures, Tsoken envisions a Nigeria where federal policies align with grassroots realities and where the dividends of democracy reach the very last mile.
This transformational agenda is not a sudden advocacy born out of political convenience. It is rooted deeply in Tsoken’s academic grounding, long years of political service, and consistent engagement with citizens across Nigeria. Born in Wukari, Taraba State, Musa Muhammed Tsoken grew up with a profound sense of community responsibility.
He pursued Social Studies Education at the undergraduate level, graduating with honors—a foundation that equipped him with knowledge on governance, society, and civic development.
Today, he is sharpening that intellectual edge with a Master’s degree in Human Security and Counter-Terrorism at Taraba State University. His academic focus reflects a holistic understanding of governance—security, stability, and human welfare must go hand-in-hand for sustainable development to take root.
Tsoken’s political journey began in the 1990s when he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) led by the late Chief MKO Abiola. In those early years, he developed a reputation as a grassroots mobilizer who resonated with the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.
He has since grown to become a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a formidable voice within the party’s reform movements. From leading the Presidential Campaign Council in Taraba State for the North-East Directorate to serving as National Coordinator of the Asiwaju Again Renewed Hope Support Initiative 2027, Tsoken has played pivotal roles in the mobilization and consolidation of political support for the Tinubu administration.
His leadership of APC-IGG has further amplified his impact, ensuring that conversations about governance within the ruling party remain grounded in transparency, internal reforms, and the fulfillment of promises made to the electorate.
The APC-IGG under Tsoken’s stewardship has become a vibrant network of patriots, professionals, and academics from Nigeria and the diaspora, united by the belief that political power must translate into improved welfare for the Nigerian people. Through public advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and policy recommendations, the group is reinforcing the governance foundations laid by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tsoken’s efforts have notably extended to issues affecting the aged and retired citizens. He has persistently championed pension reforms aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays, enhancing benefits, and securing healthcare access for those who served the nation diligently.
Ambassador Tsoken’s commitment to national growth has attracted both local and international recognition. Among his numerous awards are his conferment as Commonwealth Ambassador by the Commonwealth Society of Nigeria and his recognition as Philanthropist and Political Mobilizer of the Year 2022 by the African Freelance Journalist International. These honors reflect not only his contributions to Nigerian politics but also his influence in global advocacy for democratic accountability and sustainable development.
As he continues to advance this national reform, Ambassador Tsoken extends a strong call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to lend unequivocal executive support for this milestone legislation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. With Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima driving economic stabilization and grassroots security frameworks, Tsoken stresses that federal representation in local councils will provide the much-needed administrative synergy to turn national development blueprints into visible community realities.
He also appeals to Senate President Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Dr. Tajudeen Abbas to accelerate legislative action on the proposed bill—recognizing its urgency in Nigeria’s governance evolution. Through their joint leadership, the National Assembly has the opportunity to etch a new chapter in democratic accountability that directly touches the people where it matters most: their local communities.
In addition, Tsoken acknowledges the pivotal role of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, whose office serves as the central engine driving policy execution.
His support, alongside that of Senator David S. U. Jimkuta of Southern Taraba—a dynamic young legislator empowering his constituency in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda—will be instrumental in fast-tracking oversight reforms that restore dignity and development to grassroots governance nationwide. Tsoken believes their combined influence represents a powerful coalition capable of championing one of the most impactful governance reforms of this democratic era.
His expanding network of influence and policy advocacy is why this proposed bill for federal representation in local councils has received enthusiastic support from stakeholders across Nigeria. He strongly believes that aligning grassroots governance with national development structures is a fundamental pathway to reducing poverty, improving transparency in public finance, and fostering a more inclusive society that works for all.
In a nation where local government councils serve as the first line of interaction between citizens and the state, ensuring efficiency and accountability at that level is essential.
Tsoken’s vision is one where communities thrive because funds meant for them are used responsibly; where infrastructure improves because those trusted with public resources are properly supervised; and where citizens feel the impact of governance, not through political promises, but through tangible development and enhanced quality of life.
Ambassador Musa Muhammed Tsoken represents a new generation of Nigerian leadership—intellectually grounded, strategically experienced, and genuinely committed to service. His governance reforms speak not only to the present needs of Nigeria but to its future ambitions as a prosperous and well-organized federation. As he continues to champion this vital legislative shift, it becomes increasingly clear that his blend of experience, academic preparation, and visionary leadership positions him as an invaluable asset to the Tinubu administration.
Nigeria is in search of pragmatic thinkers and courageous patriots who understand that democracy must translate into development. Ambassador Tsoken is one of such leaders. His work stands as a reassuring reminder that there are those within the political system who are prepared to bridge the gap between governance and the governed, and who are determined to ensure that the impact of government is felt in every community.
As this national conversation evolves, one thing is certain: the path to a strengthened Nigeria may very well begin in its local councils—and Ambassador Musa Muhammed Tsoken is showing the country exactly how to make that happen.
