By Abba Kyari Mohammed
I read an article with the heading above written by one Yakubu Nasiru Khalid, which somewhat tries to demonise activists and freedom fighters venturing into politics. I got heartbroken and dumbfounded at our level of understanding of politics and its roles in our lives and nation-building.
The writer asked a pertinent question: Should a real social fighter be partisan? In this article, I will address just the question.
For clarity, by social fighter, I believe he meant someone who promotes and fights for socially progressive ideas and, where necessary, takes actions that benefit society. This is typical of Abba Hikima’s activism and benevolence in helping less privileged people access justice, voicing out the predicaments of people, the maladministration, and educating the populace about their civic rights and responsibilities. Also, by partisan, I believe he meant partisan politics, where one supports the candidates of one political party over others or decides to contest for office under a certain political party.
To start with, Abba Hikima has not been appointed as a ‘social fighter’ by anyone, nor did he, from my knowledge, ever arrogate to himself that title. It is a result of the work he does in promoting social justice, good governance and progressive ideals that people decided to refer to him as Freedom Fighter, Human Rights Activist, Social Fighter and many more nomenclatures to qualify the person that he is, which left to me are very deserving of him.
However, being a Social Fighter does not in any way exempt a person from participating in the democratic process of his country, which our Constitution generously guarantees and even demands explicitly. Therefore, I believe it is a gross injustice and discrimination to demonise or question anyone from exercising his rights because of his voluntary service to his community and nation, which you coined as ‘social fighting’.
It is also disheartening that we think politics and participation in the political process is an exclusive preserve of the elites or people who have no feelings for social justice and people´s emancipation or people with no impact on society. A serious society should rather have the Social Fighters, the Activists, the Freedom Fighters like Abba Hikima, who are adept at understanding societal problems and proffering people-tailored solutions, than some proletariat who live upstairs and have no touch with the masses to dictate to them whom to vote and even lead them.
For example, Barrack Obama of the United States was a lawyer and community organiser before he ventured into politics. Look how it turned out. Gani Fawehinmi is a Nigerian Human Rights Lawyer and Activist who campaigned for democracy, fought the brutish military regime, defended its victims for over 40 years, and later ventured into politics and contested the presidential election in 1994.
Nelson Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid activist, lawyer and former leader, fought and resisted apartheid in South Africa and was also a politician to become the first black Head of State, among many others. These tell you the place of politics in societal emancipation and social justice.
More so, what Abba Hikima does is more of civic enlightenment to the citizenry on what he firmly believes is right, especially in the face of what seemed like a gang-up to impose characters that have no business in leadership. According to Martin Luther King Jr., “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence by the good people”.
The questions now are: Do you expect Abba Hikima to keep silent in the face of current political oppression in his state? Do you want him to disenfranchise himself because some people think he should not do so when no law or moral code is pointing towards that? Do you want Social fighters to steer clear of politics so thugs and the proletariat can take it over? These are questions worth pondering.
Abba Kyari can be reached via abbakyari2013@yahoo.com.
Thank you very much, for your educative write up, keep up the good work sir.
Justice has been done to Abba Hikima, you have actually defined who social fighter is, to some extent citing examples for similar characters around the world whom rose from being freedom fighters to becoming full-time politicians; the likes of Mahatma Gandhi of India, Nelson Mandela of South Africa were all freedom fighters whom enjoyed their fundamental human rights. Why demonizing Abba for just being partisan? He is a true citizen who need to enjoy equal rights as Mr A, Be and Z.
Both of you have done a wonderful job.
This first write up had made the second writer to address the issue thevway its suppose to be addressed. This is how I want to see our soceity keep progressing and heating the head of the nail without missing.
Thank you all
Well said. Thank you sir. We stand to be guided
Excellent from both sides. I believe Kano is blessed and has all the potential to compete with developed societies. These are the kinds of people we have always wanted to see for our society to continue to thrive. May God bless Kano and Nigeria at large.
I found this blog post to be quite thought-provoking, particularly the question posed by Yakubu Nasiru Khalid: Should a real social fighter be partisan? On one hand, I can understand the argument that being partisan could compromise a social fighter’s ability to remain impartial and advocate for the greater good. On the other hand, I believe that getting involved in politics and supporting a particular candidate or party can be a powerful way for social fighters to effect real change.
I think the key is to remain true to one’s values and principles, and not allow oneself to become swayed by political interests or personal gain. It’s important for social fighters to continue to speak truth to power and hold elected officials accountable, regardless of which party they belong to. At the same time, being a part of the political process can provide opportunities to push for policies and reforms that align with one’s goals and values.
Ultimately, I think the decision to be partisan or not depends on the
Your rejoinder was apt and an underbelly punch to the ill informed op-ed you responded to. The op was unwittingly advising social activist, like the popular human rights lawyer – Abba Hikima – to shun politics which will consequently allow thugs and misfits to ascend the leadership of our society. I wonder how we want social reforms but at the same time discourage passionate social activist from joining politics. He is confused as to the difference between neutrality and professionalism. As a private practicing lawyer, Abba Hikima has every right to join a political party of his choice in order to drive reforms the inside. He did violate any code of ethics of his profession. And finally, just as you dutifully highlighted, he is into social crusade as a volunteer and such could not be an impediment to achieving any political endeavour.