Politics

By Salihi Adamu Takai

Contemporary political singers are known for the satirical content of most of their songs. Political songs are very descriptive of invective barbs, innuendos, and allusions. They are primarily meant to satirise opponents. Rarara’s invective style in his music can be the worst political song depicting invective barbs nowadays.

Tijjani Gandu is an exceptional political singer who uses minimal invective barbs. His songs are mostly for a one-sided party or his godfathers. Gandu is known for the centralised theme of his songs. He mostly only focuses on the party and the esteemed quality of his beloved and favourite politician.

“Abba Gida Gida” was the first song in 2019 to elevate Gandu’s reputation as a talented political singer. The song was accepted and spread to every nook and cranny. It was very stylish with its theme of mobilising for the then PDP gubernatorial flag bearer in Kano State (Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf). The candidate was challenged for not being famous. So, Gandu released the song “Abba Gida Gida”, which made the candidate very well-known.

Gandu is always ready to challenge any chaos in Kano politics to protect the governor’s dignity. It has been known for the whole week that Kano State Governor Abba was criticised for his open statement against the inappropriate action of the Kano Hisba. The statement was misconstrued. The people’s opinions were very different. Some supported the Governor’s statement, and some opposed it.

Amid the chaos, Tijjani Gandu released a song recently titled “Saƙona,” my message. In the song, the singer, Gandu, sends sympathetic messages that make thousands of people weep while listening to the music. The song has some words of mercy and humility. The saying “Abba ya san girman malamai, shi ya sa ya ɗau Hisbah ya ba ta kullalle” means Abba respects Islamic clerics, so he appointed the most deserving person to head the Hisbah.

The singer tried to maintain his dignity of not being an abuser – he doesn’t abuse anyone in the song – he only calls the attention of the entire public to discard any misconceptions from any political opponents of the Hisba saga.

By Nura Jibo

Senator Abdul Ningi remains a hero of Nigeria’s democracy. His revelations, as the senator from Edo North implied, will haunt their reputation, causing them to receive years of contempt and opprobrium from the Nigerian people.

No one takes any of the current Nigerian senators seriously.

The entire country and world leaders view their tongue-lashing as an overt confession to the national budget’s animadversion. What irony!

Indeed, the mentality of Nigerian politicians, both young and old, is the same. To enter politics, contest, “win” either fairly or by crooked means, and serve the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th terms.

This could be easily spotted in the Senate chamber. It is full of geriatrics who served eight years as governors in their respective states and have now become senators to take cover in the Senate and hide their political obloquy.

In the past two days, Nigerians have been left in no doubt that the Nigerian senators, including their Senate President, are already in a state of disgrace resulting from public opprobrium. And this is quite understandable.

There is no way a Nigerian citizen could trust any senator with his hard-earned electoral vote. Unless the senator steals it by fabricating figures the way they surreptitiously did in the 2023 national budget, where some of them were allocated ₦500 million as publicly confessed by one of their own!

For one of their own to call all of them culpable, or better yet, culprits, is certainly an obloquy and political hara-kiri—an indelible series of political somersaults.

What Senator Ningi presented was a testament to the fact that the entire Senate is now embroiled in a disturbing saga of corruption and self-incrimination, demonstrating a reckless disregard and disrespect for the public good.

Indeed, this Senate’s attitude is certainly an intentional breach of decorum that exposes them to the vagueness, vagaries, verbosity, and waffle of their statutory unconscionability!

May Allah SWT save Nigeria and its people from this kind of Senate’s malicious misrepresentation(s) of the people under the tutelage of budget padding.

By Idris Ishaq Danwanka

Esteemed compatriots and guardians of our collective Northern ethos, in the wake of recent fiscal disclosures, a disconcerting schism has been unveiled that warrants our immediate attention and stringent critique. Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, erstwhile Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, has valiantly illuminated a disquieting anomaly within the fiscal year 2024 budget proceedings.

With the budget initially proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amounting to 24 trillion Naira, the subsequent and inexplicable inflation to 27 trillion Naira post-senate approval instigates profound perturbation and necessitates scrupulous examination.

The crux of the matter lies not solely within the numerical discrepancies but more so in the disheartening dearth of collective fortitude amongst our Northern sentinels. Senator Ningi’s resignation from the venerable chairmanship of our forum, following his laudable challenge to the opaque augmentation of the said budget, is a testament to a troubling lack of solidarity and a deviation from the path of unwavering patriotism that our region is historically known to uphold.

It is incumbent upon us, as the custodians of Arewa’s legacy, to transcend the paralyzing grip of fear that threatens our tenure within the senate.

The specter of suspension or dismissal should not deter us from our sacrosanct duty to the masses. We must rally behind the banner of transparency, accountability, and unwavering integrity that Senator Ningi has hoisted, even in the face of potential political ostracism.

The significance of unity cannot be overstated in our quest for regional and national development. A fragmented front is a disservice to the populace we have sworn to serve. It is only through a cohesive and unyielding stance that we can effectively steward the resources of our polity and engender a milieu where probity is not just expected but demanded.

Let us not shy away from our responsibility to interrogate and impugn any act that undermines the fiscal sanctity of our nation. To falter in this regard is to capitulate to the whims of those who may not prioritize the collective good over individual aggrandizement. The import of our togetherness is the bulwark against the forces of division and the cornerstone of our advocacy for the masses.

In conclusion, it is our imperative to eschew the parochial fears that stifle our voice and to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who dare to speak truth to power. The Arewa spirit is one of resilience, unity, and an unyielding commitment to the greater good. May we find the moral fortitude to embody these virtues and to restore the faith of our people in our esteemed institution.

Let us not delay in reclaiming our esteemed position as paragons of rectitude and as the vanguards of the people’s will. The time for action is now; the call for unity and patriotism, ever resonant.

Yours in service to our region and our nation;

Sen. Idris Ishaq Danwanka,
B.A. English Language and Literature, Federal University Dutse.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi State has announced his resignation as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, following his suspension from the Senate.  

Ningi had been accused of making misleading claims about the size of the 2024 budget, which he alleged was padded with N3.7 trillion in additional funds.  

He has denied any wrongdoing, but the Senate has suspended him pending an investigation into the matter. 

In response to the allegations made by Senator Ningi, the Senate has suspended him for three months while it investigates the matter.  

The Senate has stated that there is no evidence to support Ningi’s claim that the 2024 budget was padded.  

The Senate also expressed its concern over the potential damage to the reputation of the body and the Nigerian people caused by Ningi’s remarks.  

Meanwhile, Ningi tendered his resignation letter as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum following his suspension. 

“I will like to resign my position as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum. This is of course necessitated by unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North and the Nation at large. 

“I will like to specially thank members of the forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight months to spearhead this very important forum. 

“I believe this forum is very important to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria,” the letter reads.

By Garba Sidi.

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. 

I am writing to bring to your attention the commendable efforts of Honourable Abdulladir Umar Bala (T.O.) during his tenure as the Chairman of Hadejia Local Government. As a concerned citizen of Hadejia and someone who deeply cares about our town’s progress, I wish to express my support for Honourable Abdulladir Umar Bala’s candidacy for a second term.

Throughout the years, it has been observed that, apart from Bello Auyo, no other leader has contributed as significantly to the development of Hadejia as Honourable Abdulladir Umar Bala. His dedication to improving our town is evident in the transformative projects initiated under his leadership.

The essence of democracy lies in representing the people’s will, and Honourable Abdulladir Umar Bala (T.O) has proven himself to be a leader who genuinely understands and serves the people’s needs. “Government is the people, for the people, by the people,” and this principle resonates with the Hadejia community, which admires his leadership.

Furthermore, I would like to highlight Honourable Abdulladir Umar Bala’s unwavering commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He wholeheartedly supported the party, actively participating in the campaign for His Excellency Mallam Umar Namadi, contributing significantly to the success of the 2023 elections.

Despite facing unjust attempts to tarnish his image, Honourable Abdulladir Umar Bala perseveres to bring beneficial projects to Hadejia. Recognising that certain political rivals may be trying to sow discord between his administration and your esteemed government is crucial. I sincerely hope you see through these divisive tactics and acknowledge the positive impact he has had on our community.

The people of Hadejia are well-informed and discerning, and they can distinguish between genuine efforts for development and misleading narratives meant to undermine a dedicated leader. Denying Honourable Abdulladir Umar Bala the opportunity to run for a second term could be perceived as a hindrance to the progress and development of our town.

I trust that this message will reach you, and I urge you to consider the positive contributions of Honourable Abdulladir Umar Bala (T.O.) to Hadejia. Allowing him to run for a second term would be a decision in favour of continued growth and prosperity for our beloved town.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yakubu Nasiru Khalid

In March 2023, I wrote an open letter to Barrister Abba Hikima titled “Should a social fighter be a partisan?” The Daily Reality published the letter in the same month. In it, I declared the influence of politics and suggested partisanship in politics. All that I prophesied would happen to him is happening now. One cannot eat two corns at the same time. 

On this day, 10th March 2024, I came across several posts by Hikima that revealed his hidden connections with a governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf (AKY). These posts, which criticised AKY’s government for mismanagement and unfulfilled campaign promises, were rife with political cultism, a trait often associated with the members of the Kwankwasiyya sect.

As I studied him, he always thought he was right and did not make an excuse for fault or blunder. This is quite the wrong line of thinking, as he prefixed the title “Esq” in front of his name to address these issues in such a way. 

Hikima’s attempt to expose the weaknesses of AKY aims to get fame and widespread admiration from the opposing parties, but this will be in vain. As he considers himself a public saviour, this is outright wrong for him, and it’s too early to do so. Read, listen, make an excuse, advise and take action; these are what should be done for a well-sounding veteran social worker or fighter.

“Any momentary triumph you think you have gained through argument is a Pyrrhic victory: The resentment and ill will you stir up is stronger and lasts longer than any momentary change of opinion. It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying”~law 9

Most people who are happy about Hikima’s criticism writings are either members of opposing parties or those called “absolute blind loyalists” because they swallow everything without asking a question. What happened to Abba Hikima and AKY is almost identical to what happened to Sheikh Aminu Daurawa and AKY. 

Many believed Daurawa was wrong, but the way Abba made corrections was unreasonable and impolite. People are not making a fair judgement. Resolving a conflict encourages one to insist on objective criteria, not personal interest. How many times did Abba meet the governor privately for these issues? 

Lastly, I suggest he work smartly and silently within either a line of partisanship or as a social fighter. He can only do one at a time. A man who constantly complains is not the right person. Be a problem solver, not a complainer. 

Yakubu Nasiru Khalid wrote via yakubunasirukhalid@gmail.com. 

By Uzair Adam Imam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider reopening the country’s borders for the importation of foodstuff in order to address the current food crisis.

Governor Yusuf stressed that the closure of the borders has had a significant impact on the people of Kano State, leading to increased food prices and suffering.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf called for the reopening of the country’s borders to address the current food crisis.

The statement was released following a meeting between the governor and the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the Government House in Kano.

Governor Yusuf noted the critical condition of hunger and starvation in the country, which has been exacerbated by the sharp increase in commodity prices.

The statement read in part; “We wish appreciate the President’s intervention on the ongoing national food initiative which he considers Kano as the host for the initiative to be launched believing that the programme will cushion the effects of food scarcity if implemented”

Governor Yusuf stressed the urgent need for intervention, including the reopening of the borders to allow for the importation of commodities.

In his meeting with the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Governor Yusuf highlighted the hardships faced by the people, particularly during Ramadan.

He stressed that the opening of the borders would be a crucial step in alleviating the distress of the people.

In addition to advocating for the reopening of the borders, Governor Yusuf commended the Customs Service’s initiative to distribute food items to the people of Kano, who have been facing hardship and hunger.

He urged the Customs Service to ensure that the food reaches those who are most affected. The governor also pledged his support to the Customs Service in its efforts to benefit the people of Kano and Nigeria as a whole.

In his response, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of building strong ties between the Nigerian Customs Service and the Kano community.

He emphasized the Service’s commitment to collaboration and constructive dialogue, and pledged to implement policies that would improve business processes and strengthen engagement with all stakeholders.

In addition to his interaction with stakeholders, the Controller General Adeniyi revealed that the Customs Service had made extensive plans to address the challenges of food scarcity and hardship in Kano. This includes the distribution of food items to the people of Kano.

By Auwal Sani

In the heart of Kano State, recently, conflict ensued between the state’s religious police popularly known Hisbah [Command], Kano State government and the controversial TikToker, Murja Kunya. This conflict has not only sparked public debate but also highlighted the critical role of effective public relations (PR) in governance.

It all began with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf’s critique of Hisbah’s modus operandi, particularly in response to perceived deviations from the established laws. The governor’s remarks triggered a flurry of reactions, especially online, culminating into the unexpected resignation of Hisbah’s Director-General, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa. This abrupt departure further fueled tensions and political discord within the state.

However, amidst the turmoil, the saga took an intriguing turn with the involvement of Murja kunya, an ardent supporter of the Governor and his party (NNPP). Murja’s arrest by Hisbah and her miraculous release from prison without proper legal procedure raised eyebrows from various quarters, prompting questions about influence and justice.

Central to this unfolding drama is the apparent lack of effective PR strategies employed by both the government and Hisbah. A failure to conduct thorough situational analyses, engaging stakeholders, and maintaining open communication channels exacerbated the crisis, leading to a breakdown in trust between the authorities and the public.

Governor Yusuf’s comments, though well-intentioned, underscored the importance of a robust PR team to navigate sensitive issues and convey messages effectively. Collaborating with Hisbah’s leadership could have fostered dialogue and addressed concerns constructively, preventing further escalation of the situation.

Furthermore, the need for a crisis communication response team within the government and Hisbah is imperative. Timely and convincing damage control measures are essential to clarify intentions and restore public confidence in governance institutions.

Equally crucial is, the proactive engagement of relevant stakeholders by Hisbah before undertaking operations. Consultations with religious, governmental, and civil society leaders, among others, would ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing societal issues while mitigating potential conflicts.

Moreover, adequate training of Hisbah members on legal frameworks and rules of engagement are essential in preventing human rights violations and ensure professionalism in their duties. Additionally, investing in PR expertise within Hisbah’s communication department is essential to bridge the gap between the organization and the general public.

In hindsight, the confrontational response of Hisbah’s former Director-General to the governor’s criticisms highlights the need for professionalism and diplomacy in addressing internal challenges. Written correspondence or a formal meeting could have provided a more constructive platform for dialogue and resolution.

As the saga begins to fade, however, it serves as a stark reminder of the intrinsic link between effective public relations, transparent governance, and social harmony because, only through proactive engagement, strategic communication, and a commitment to openness can institutions like Hisbah navigate the complexities of contemporary society while upholding their mandates with integrity and accountability.

Auwal Sani writes from Kano State and can be reached via auwalsani986@gmail.com

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Your Excellency, during your tenure as the Governor of Bauchi State from 2007 to 2015, you initiated and oversaw the implementation of various initiatives in the education sector. The long-term effects of these initiatives on the state’s citizens are still being evaluated.

One cannot overstate the significance of the Bauchi State University, Gadau. Established during your administration, the university has transformed into a thriving institution, empowering thousands with higher education. These graduates are not merely individuals equipped with knowledge, they are the architects of a brighter future for the state.

Furthermore, your decision to hand over the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital to the Federal Government paved the way for the establishment of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH). This seemingly simple act had profound consequences. ATBU, previously lacking the facilities for medical courses, now flourishes with a thriving medical program. Last week, a milestone was achieved – the graduation of the university’s first set of doctors.

These achievements, Your Excellency, stand as a beacon of your forward-thinking approach. You recognized the critical role education plays in empowering individuals and propelling the state’s development. Your decisions, made with foresight and a commitment to the betterment of Bauchi state, continue to resonate till today.

While your time in office has since lapsed, the legacy you leave behind continues to flourish. You have earned the gratitude of the people you served, and your story serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders who understand the transformative power of education.

Mukhtar Jarmajo, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

By Nuraddeen Danjuma Maiwada

Mr. President sir, I hope this finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to bring to your attention the special relationship that exists between the people of Northern Nigeria and the Republics of Niger, Mali and Burkina faso, our beloved neighbors.

In Northern Nigeria, especially in towns and cities close to Niger Republic’s borders, Nigeriens are not just our neighbors, but also our relatives. The bond we share transcends borders, as we are interconnected through history, language, and culture. It is impossible to deny the fact that our roots run deep in both lands.

Our kingdoms, trade, religion, culture were the same untill colonialism and much beyond. The Frontline regions of Niger Republic namely Dosso, Tahoua, Maradi, Zinder and Diffa share common ancestry and culture with Nigeria’s Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno States. Emir of Maradi is still called Sarkin Katsinan Maraɗi

Despite the existence of artificial boundaries that separate us on maps, we are essentially the same people. Our shared histories and intertwined cultures make it evident that Niger, Mali and Burkina faso Republics hold a special place in our hearts. This kinship between our nations is based on a strong foundation of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

In light of this, I implore you, dear President Tinubu, to adopt a peaceful approach instead of confrontation when it comes to dealing with neighbors. This approach recognizes the deep ties we share and seeks to strengthen the bonds between our nations rather than tear them apart.

By choosing dialogue and peaceful negotiations, we can establish a prosperous future for both our nations. Joint efforts in areas such as trade, education, healthcare, and security will not only benefit us but also foster a stronger sense of unity and collaboration among our people.

It is essential to remember that our shared interests and aspirations far outweigh any differences that may arise. By fostering peaceful relations, we can unlock tremendous potential for development, progress, and stability in the region.

As leaders, it is our duty to foster an environment that encourages harmony and collaboration. Let us set an example for the rest of the world by showcasing how two nations, intertwined by history and shared values, can resolve any differences through peaceful means.

I remain hopeful that under your leadership, our nations will continue to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation. Together, we can build a future where all countries in ECOWAS and Nigeria thrive side by side, united in peace and prosperity.

Nuraddeen Danjuma Maiwada
Bayero University Kano
25.02.2024