Politics

By Muhammad Abubakar

As the 2023 election comes closer, these politicians will begin to follow you for them to carry out their political ambitions and later run away from you. This happens after they have used you in a way that you will completely lose your dignity in the eyes of the world. And in the end, you will regret it. The biggest loss in your life is that: you are now valuable to them, right? They can give you whatever you request from them but don’t think that after the election they would again do something useful for you or your family.

For that, youth should wake up from this slumber. Something happened in my presence during the 2019 presidential election, which ultimately weakened my opinion about political involvement. There were two guys I had seen fighting with lethal weapons in their hands, and I was sure nothing could stop one of them from dying if stabbed with the weapons. The saddening thing is that none of them passes twenty-two years of age.

It’s time to know where it pains in your body and who pains you in your societal endeavour. Even if you have never attended primary school in your entire life, you will not want something bad to happen to you. For the sake of the almighty God. What sort of life are you (the youth) living?

If you look at the current situation of this country, you will understand that those politicians you are gambling with your life on do not care about your existence. Had it been they cared, they would not have held their arms watching you and your nation’s economy going to the dogs.

Although there are reasonable and competent among them, eighty per cent of them out of a hundred are unarguably incompetent. Therefore, a thoughtful and caring leader will never give his people illegal drugs or any accidental subject during the campaign to achieve his goal.

Another awful thing is that; the deterioration of the academic sector in this country is beyond human imagination. But yet, no good action has been taken upon that. Frankly speaking—I don’t know the specific role those politicians (who have been elected as the leaders of our dear country) play in their offices. However, it’s clear now that everyone understands the government’s negligence and I-don’t-care attitude towards the education sector.

Without a doubt, if their children were studying here in Nigeria, they wouldn’t have allowed this lingering ASUU strike to last this long. Let me repeat; youth should wake up from their slumber. Youth should know who is their foe and who likes them.

I now advise the youth to make sure that they sustain their voter‘s card (PVC) to vote for the right leader in the upcoming election.

Muhammad Abubakar is an essayist and port. He wrote from Jos, Plateau State, via muhammadabubakar01002@gmail.com.

By Aliyu Idris

The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership. – Chinua Achebe.

It’s exactly four months since universities were shut down due to the lingering ASUU Strike. It’s disheartening for millions of university students like me in Nigeria who are at home idle; their fundamental rights to education are thwarted.

The government and politicians are busy with their political and elections shenanigans and do not bother to look into the menace of these excessive strikes.

None of the aspirants vying for the presidential throne has talked about curtailing the ASUU strike. This is utterly devastating. I always think about who to vote for regarding the issue of education in Nigeria.

To be candid, I don’t know how will this country continue to survive when its education sector is crippled. When the aviation sector wanted to embark on strike, the issue was solved a day before the strike because it’s not the education sector, which is too ironic for Nigeria.

The elections misdemeanour is their concern now. They invest heavily in politics and neglect education and other relevant sectors that will foster the country forward. The strike may be over soon or next year after the elections.

Let’s turn to the Lord (Allah) in prayers to give us the best leaders who have the country at heart, fulfil our vision and mission, and make our country great.

Aliyu Idris is a student of Bayero University Kano and can be reached via his email: aliyuidris063@gmail.com.

By Sulaiman Maijama’a

This is a complex piece to write. How can anyone following my writings from the start of the Bala Mohammed’s led-administration not submit that I have been a hailer of this government? In 2020, to celebrate Gov. Bala’s first anniversary in office, I dedicated a fifteen-paragraph piece titled, “Gov. Bala @365 day: Journey so far”, in which I dwelled much on the governor’s giant strides, despite inheriting a failed government.

In his second year, it was a thirty-five-paragraph piece I wrote titled, “Two years under review: Bauchi State wears a new face”. These are apart from the weekly piece I used to write, which, if aggregated, would produce a voluminous book—all in an attempt to unveil the achievements and areas of strength of this government. 

This year as the governor marks his three years in office, it should be a time for sober reflection and critical thinking on the underperformed areas, or to put it more appropriately, areas more need to be done.

I feel I will not be fair to the governor if I don’t help him embark on self-assessment and self-criticism to increase his speed.

“Verily, political power is a vicegerency from Allah and a stewardship from God’s Apostle”, says Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdulkarim (as quoted in “Principles of Leadership”). Caliph Muhammad Bello is quoted in “Usul al-Siyasa” to have said, “be informed, my brother, that one of the most serious misfortunes that may befall a servant of Allah is to be a leader for the consequences of having to render a full account of the office.” On this note, leaders at all levels need to be reminded of the responsibilities they are saddled with.

There is no iota of doubt that, under the leadership of Senator Bala Muhammad, Bauchi State has become the Ameerah among its sisters in Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development. Bala Mohammed has actualised a gleaming new city. Suppose one is to aggregate the number of infrastructural projects so far executed in the state and divide them by the number of days within three years (1095 days). In that case, they will discover that no single day passed on without a project since Bala Mohammed assumed responsibility as the Executive Governor of Bauchi State.

However, beyond physical projects, have other sectors not been forgotten? Has education received the priority it is worth?  Someone will say that His Excellency has built new model schools and upgraded and renovated many. Yes, sure, I cited them many times as achievements. But beyond the surface, what about the teachers’ welfare, salaries, and allowances? To the best of my knowledge, since His Excellency came in, no single teacher in Bauchi State has been promoted. More importantly, we do not have a single strategic policy for improving the standard of education. These can defeat the aim of the polished model schools.

Let me remind His Excellency that during the previous administration of Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, he used to have a Special Adviser on Students’ Affairs, the position Governor Bala is yet to appoint, despite its importance. It seems ironic that governor Bala has SA for unmarried women but does not have one for students. Maybe the absence of this position is the reason for the tribulation befalling the indigene students of Bauchi State because they do not have anyone, appointed apart from a commissioner, to stand for them and to speak their voices.

Governor Bala is passionate about quality education because appointing Dr Aliyu Tilde as Commissioner for Education indicates that. But I don’t know the wisdom behind the termination of the sponsorship of 200 students of Malikiyya College of Health whose sponsorship was offered by the previous administration. Some of them had to give up schooling for a lack of financial capacity.

In the same vein, international scholarship, which is obtainable in sister stateslike Kano (where super-intelligent students are sponsored to study abroad), has been terminated. The local scholarship was paid only once and partially disbursed to only a few students whose institutions are in Bauchi State. Similarly, I don’t know if His Excellency is aware that the medical bond given to medical students as stipends by the previous administration has been disrupted, despite the challenges of the health sector. As the saying goes, “Health is wealth” and “education is the backbone of every development”. These students are an asset to our society. Thus, however much is invested in them will eventually payback. His Excellency needs to ponder on this.

On the issue of salaries, there still exists a problem. Not only that, people worry why despite death, retirement and a record of no employment, there has been an exponential rise in the Bauchi State wage bill from N4.5 billion to N7billion?  I’m not unaware of the fact that to address the challenges on the issue, the governor, on Thursday, September 10th, 2020, hosted a Media Parley with civil servants, labour leaders, government officials, elder statesmen, stakeholders and the media where massive corruption in the system was exposed. But recommendations were made by the financial consulting firm, DYNATECH Solutions Limited, contracted by the state government, but nothing seems to be improving. Some civil servants still spend months without a salary. They are suffocating.

Some people tell the governor that no government is without fault; every government comes with its shortcoming. Frankly, in Bauchi State, it comes with any flaws but not issues of salaries because Bauchi is a civil servants state. We like His Excellency, but we fear his opponents will use this to their advantage and campaign against him.

On the other hand, business people in the state have also been registering their discontent. His Excellency may have forgotten that during his campaign at Central Market, Bauchi, he promised that, if elected, he would inject into the annual budget,  Five Hundred Million Naira (500 000 000) earmarked as a loan to business people in the state. I believe this will be a good initiative and will help improve business. But, alas, three years have gone, and it is yet to be actualised. 

Similarly, His Excellency should begin to see to the welfare of his people, especially politicians who had made sacrifices to ensure that he comes on board. Honestly, many of them are not better than those in opposition party, despite their contributions and closeness to this government. These people may not summon the courage to tell the governor, but they open up when you speak to them off the record. Therefore, you cannot accuse them of anticipating a payoff from the government they brought in. Let me borrow Mahmud Jega’s words: to accuse a politician of expecting something in return from the government they supported and brought in is like accusing a person who attends prayers of expecting to be rewarded in the hereafter.

There are many ways these people can be helped. Why not learn from Jigawa State by giving them small-small contracts? Say, Mr. “A” bring the furniture to SSG’s office, give him N500 000;  Mr. “B” provide fuel for official cars in the governor’s office, 1 000 000; Mr. “C” bring chemicals for washing toilets in the government house;  produce chairs in primary schools;  build bathroom among others. Don’t give them a contract above N5 Million. They will still appreciate and be contented. With this, money will be circulating among people, thereby increasing the welfare of all and sundry. Being a staunch supporter of this government, I don’t want to believe that the contract is for “family and friends”, a slogan this administration is taunted with. 

Finally, I commiserate with the governor on his defeat in the recent PDP Presidential Primary Election. Keep the dream alive; the future holds a lot. We still need him as the executive governor of our dear state. One year is enough for him to remedy the observations mentioned above, which I raised out of concern.

My best wishes.

Maijama’a, Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via sulaimanmaija@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Umar

This is the beginning of my participation in politics to the fullest, especially on social media. I am gradually learning one or two things from both the recorded victories and failures in some instances. I believe it’s unarguably a fact that, in it (politics), you either be on the winning or losing sides.

In times of political victory, you become so excited as if the happiness will never end. Likewise, failure makes you feel uncomfortable or like nothing is enjoyable to you in the entire world. You become frustrated. Some can even get out of their senses and do something regrettable without awareness.

Thus, some lessons I have so far learned are: 

1. Be careful of what you say, write and post on social media because it might one day come back and haunt you. Make sure whatever you write doesn’t involve insulting/harsh words and terms that can downgrade your integrity in the eyes of your followers and friends in struggle. 

2. Learn to be patient in whatever situation you find yourself in. Sometimes you might be provoked by the commentary of some people (your opponents). Be conscious of your wordings while responding to them in times like that. Though it’s not any comment worth your attention, you can neglect some of them to allow peace to reign. 

3. Choose whom to follow and associate with while participating in political activities. This could include your political mentors, guardians and other friends in struggle. Because sometimes, you could meet somebody who can help you, i.e. someone who can be a reason for you to become somebody in life. But if you choose the wrong person, they can be a disaster for you and your political carrier.

Please, be politically wise and active in all the activities that could bring changes to your (our) societies.

Regards!

Muhammad Umar wrote via muhammadumardanmasani@gmail.com.

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

Since 1999, the people of Yobe have continued to give mandates to the ruling party, what is now known as the All Progressive Congress (APC), hoping that their lives will be better on all fronts- particularly in the education sector. Unfortunately, the Yobe education sector is known to be one of the worst in the nation. This is manifested by a legacy of dilapidated blocks of classrooms, a lack of laboratories; a lack of teachers; no teacher promotions, and the list goes on. 

With the emergence of Mai-Mala Buni as the Governor in 2019, he, on the inaugural date, in the most dramatic manner, convinced the nation that the education sector in Yobe is rotten-Yes, rotten! He declared what was known as an “emergency” in the sector. He announced his aim and gathered a committee to work out a plan for the sector. Millions of naira were spent on meetings, travel, and photography on a matter that a single administrative circular could have solved. 

Two years into the administration of Buni, not a single milestone was made in the education sector. The State Basic Education Board could not recruit trackers, teachers’ promotions stalled, teachers’ salaries were mutilated, and the hardworking principal of secondary schools was bullied by the business that leads the ministry of education. The sad news continues, and the peak was the video of Fika Government Secondary School that rattled the government. One could ask, what exactly is the problem? Is Buni the problem, or is his team at the peak of insubordination?

One of the most dramatic events that put the Yobe education sector in the spot was the case of the Buni Foreign Scholarship Scheme (BFSS), a scheme managed by a few of Buni’s trusted men. BFSS is characterised by poor stipend payment, poor academic quality, etc. Today, the BFSS is still a problem that will continue to make the Buni government unpopular and give the opposition a chance to punch the APC hard.

The local scholarship allowance is also an area where there is a hitched to pin network of students and their families to dispense protest votes against Buni and give the upper hand to opposition parties like the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). It was only last week when NNPP moved to consolidate its gains by inviting Stand Up and Be Involved (SUBI) to adopt its party and contest all elections. Should this partnership work as planned, the APC will likely experience the most effective and fierce opposition in its history in Yobe State. 

The local scholarship allowance payment has been epileptic, inconsistent, and marred by a lack of competence in leadership. One can quickly note that this administration has provided the most inexperienced and inefficient leadership of the board in the history of Yobe. No one knows if the Yobe State Scholarships Board (YSSB) has adequate access to its budgetary allocations. If, in any case, it has access to funds, who can defend Buni or his proxy at the head of the YSSB for the lack of payment of local scholarship allowances? An act that even the military administration did well in Yobe! 

One might wonder if paying for local scholarships was related to the massive fund-raising effort for the 2023 elections. It is terrific, and only in APC’s Yobe State one can find people heading a government parastatal that failed to perform in contesting elections. Does this mean that Buni is impressed with the performance of the scandal-marred YSSB? 

Buni needs to know that there is significant dissatisfaction with his administration and team. Everything that the government does seems suspicious such as the maiden Education Appeal Fund, where billions of Naira were accumulated. Whether Buni knew or knew not, there is speculation on the ground that the education fund was a cover to grasp financial muscles to fight for the 2023 elections. Whether true or political, this sentiment makes up the opposition, and the chances to pin the people against the APC are high. It has always been easy to blackmail a government that cares less about its spending, budget performance, and revenue base. 

It is, however, clear that whatever sterling personal qualities a governor may have, of which Buni has many, the chances of failure can be significant. The popular opinion is that Buni is highly unlikely to succeed with his existing team. Buni must change gears and relate to reality on the ground and begin to listen to others rather than his yes-men. Those who tell him that he is always right even when he is wrong—for no one can always be right. We are calling for Buni to search for a new effective team should the 2023 election tide blow in his favour. Whereas the YSSB Chairman has a dual and conflicting constituency that rests with the constituents to decide. Ultimately, the YSSB has failed the children of the poor. 

Kasim Isa Muhammad wrote from Potiskum, Yobe State via kasimimuhd1999@gmail.com.

By Ibrahim Nasidi Saal

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday granted an order of interim injunction restraining the Shehu Sagagi-led executives of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kano from exercising any power pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

Mr Sagagi is allegedly loyal to a former governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The case was filed before Justice A.M. Bichi by one Bello Bichi against INEC, PDP and 40 others.

The order is as follows:

 “That in order not to create a serious power vacuum In the party at the State level and to prevent any anarchy which could result from such a vacuum, an order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 3″‘ to 42nd Defendants from parading or continuing to parade themselves as the Party Executives of the PDP in Kano State, from exercising any power pursuant thereto, or doing anything in that purported capacity pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice herewith filed, which is fixed for hearing on the 24th day of May, 2022.

“That an order for leave is granted allowing the substituted service of the Court Order and the originating and other subsequent processes on the 3rd to 42nd Defendants by leaving same with or at the office of the 25th Defendant, Mr. I. Wangida, Esq.”

The daily Reality reports that on April 28, another court of concurrent jurisdiction, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had reinstated the Shehu Sagagi-led state and 44 local governments’ executives of PDP, pending the determination of the substantive case before it.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo granted all the prayers of the Sagagi-led executives and warned the PDP national leadership against taking any action that would undermine them.

By Hassan Ahmad Usman

What else do we need to see before we believe that we don’t have anyone to cry out to, fight with, or even be our hope? 

Two things happened over the weekend that explained clear how dualism exists in Nigeria. First, the gap between the so-called “elites” and the masses is so wide that you can’t imagine these two people living and sharing a country.  It is a clear call for us, the less privileged children, to have sense and redirect where we burn our energies and pursue a realistic future.

First, when airline operators announced their resolution to stop operations on May 9 due to the ever-increasing prices of aviation fuel, we thought it was time for them too (elites) to feel how discomfort Nigeria can be and how a malfunctioning Nigeria is not suitable for anyone. But our curiosity got punctured when we woke to the news that the operators had suspended the planned stoppage of operations.  Why? How? We only have one answer – it is something that has to do with them (“elites ” or “big men” if you like). They don’t deserve humiliation. On the contrary, they deserve a swift response to what affects them (even behind closed doors). They are the true Nigerians.

 How do you expect an Atiku, Tinubu, Moghalu, Wike, Amaechi and the rest to campaign without air transport? Osinbajo will undoubtedly use the presidential fleets. So he’s a bigger boy. 

On the hand, ASUU announced the end of their warning strike of three months with another three months of strike ( it doesn’t even sound logical). How can you go on strike while on strike? So it is another painful morning for the children of the poor and their parents. 

It is high time we understood that to survive in Nigeria with these same elites; we must go beyond being their praise singers or political foot soldiers for actualizing their political dreams.  We must understand that our unborn children deserve much more than we have.  

Our schools have been closed for a quarter of this year, and we’ve braced up for another quarter to go unaccounted for.  Unfortunately, given the political atmosphere looming for the next general election, the ground is set for them to cultivate many young, hungry people for political thuggery with the help of our lecturers who never see sense in keeping us in school to shape us for the future.  

My dear children of the masses, our lives and future are not and never tied to any politician.  Therefore, despite our condition, we can dream and aspire just like their children. What we need is to focus and keep building in ourselves.

Let’s equip ourselves with relevant skills. The certificates ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria are denying us are becoming irrelevant on the global stage. Yes,  education is good, but there is no specified timeframe for it. We can build ourselves before going back to classes. So, let’s endeavour to show that we’ve not only come of age, our senses, too, have come of age.  

Hassan Ahmad Usman writes from Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. He can be reached via basree177@gmail.com.

By Nasidi ibrahim Saaal

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has urged political parties to make drug integrity test part of the screening requirements for aspirants seeking to contest political offices in the 2023 elections on their platforms.

Marwa stated this while responding to questions from journalists at the 2022 First Quarter Best Performing Commands Awards ceremony at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday 27th 2022. 

According to him, for politicians, we have long advocated and I take the opportunity again to repeat the advocacy that when they run for public office it demands a lot of responsibility from the person and we need to be certain if he’s a person that is already a drug addict/user who will spend all the money he’s given for public service to consume cocaine and his head will not be in a stable condition to handle the affairs he has been entrusted with. For this reason, we have advocated and will continue to advocate that drug test be conducted for politicians; some state governments like Kano state is already doing this.

“Not just politicians, but government appointees, and I’ve just sent a letter this morning to the National Chairman of APC, who will be the first of the national working committee I wish to pay an advocacy visit on this issue. I recommended that drug tests be incorporated in the screening process for all those interested in running for public office; we’ll do the same to the PDP and other important parties.”

While addressing officers and men of the Agency present at the event, Gen. Marwa said the ceremony has become part and parcel of our corporate culture. Recognizing and rewarding hard work and excellence has always been a pragmatic way of stimulating productivity and enhancing the attainment of organisational goals; making it a tradition for the Agency is our way of enshrining meritocracy in the system.

“Statistics from the first quarter (Q1) report, indicated that our performance level has not dropped off. Indeed, achieving 3, 539 arrests, 677 convictions and seizures of 65, 916 kg of drugs in three months is no mean feat. Little wonder our performance continually earns the Agency deserved accolades from the right quarters within the country as well as from abroad, especially from international partners and peers. While we have not yet achieved the utopia of a drug-free society, the results showed that we are getting it right.”  

He told the officers that the awards and commendations are expected to will spur them to surpass their current feats at the next awards ceremony. The ceremony should be a poignant reminder for us not to forget where we are coming from. And there is no better way to say it other than for us to be mindful of the saying that success has a hundred fathers, but failure is always an orphan. No organisation would understand this adage better than NDLEA in the light of our past rock bottom experience. Therefore, we should all be mindful that we hold the fate of NDLEA in our hands, and that fate will be determined by our patriotism and dedication to duty, as well as our collective resolve to work towards the attainment of the Agency’s mandate. 

“Let me also seize this occasion to remind you about the importance of propagating the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) programme in your various commands. There is much we can achieve when our communities are working hand-in-hand with us. That is why our roadmap, the NDCMP 2021-2025, strongly emphasises collaboration with all the stakeholders in society. We have to woo members of society to work with us on this very important assignment. Therefore, I charge you to ensure that WADA is correctly and deeply entrenched in the spheres of operation of your respective commands, he stated. 

While assuring the officers that the Agency is proud of them, he said the sacrifice of a narcotic officer cannot be quantified in gold or silver, for he is fulfilling a higher calling. As we go about our duty of securing our society against the corrosion of illicit drugs, we should be aware that we are the direct beneficiaries of our work because for every kilo of drugs seized, we are making our streets and society safer for our children, family and kinsmen.

NDLEA is proud of its workforce; the Agency treasures the effort of its officers and men; the management shall continue to look out for their best interest. We shall continue to reward hard work and excellence.”

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The mother of the missing social media critic, Abubakar Idris, aka Dadiyata, has passed on at sixty-six. 

The Daily Reality gathered that the deceased died at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, where she was being treated.

Family members, Aminu and Usman, confirmed her death to journalists, adding that the deceased was rushed to the hospital where she had finally died. 

Usman said, “She was okay when she went to bed. However, she woke up at midnight, and she couldn’t talk. She became unconscious and was rushed to the hospital.”

Dadiyata was reportedly taken forcibly by unknown men on August 2, 2019, at his residence in Kaduna. However, until today, all attempts to trace his whereabouts have been fruitless.

By Usama Abdullahi

Two things are so sure in life. The first is we are all going to die someday. The second is a person is most likely to suffer for being honest at all times. However, in this recent case of Sheikh Nuru Khalid, we can attest to the second fact.

You don’t expect anything good from people who hate hearing and being told the truth. It doesn’t surprise me to see Sheikh Nuru Khalid being unfairly relieved of his role as the Chief Imam of the Apo Legislative Mosque by the Mosque Committee under the chairmanship of Senator Dan Sadau.

For that’s what you get when you decide to stick with the truth. My fear is not him being fired for speaking against the cruelty of this present government but how politicians manipulate our religious leaders. They use them as baits to help tame or silence the veracious clerics who speak truth to power. This has been the norm for many years now. What makes it look appalling is that those easily manipulated clerics reduce themselves to mere sycophants.

Aside from getting lured into misquoting the Holy Books and preaching only what best suits the hearing of their political godfathers, they try to persuade their followers to believe all the rubbishes they preach. So, to be sincere, I wasn’t surprised when I learnt of the dismissal of the “Digital Imam” over his true statement about the government. It’s not like what the media paints. His sermons weren’t anti-government. 

Yes, his Friday sermon was just a simple reminder and awareness of how to call our hardened and irresponsible government to task. Sheikh Nuru Khalid doesn’t speak for himself alone. He represents the voice of the oppressed masses who brought this government to power through their votes. Only the patriotic and religious ones will fully understand what he preaches. They are the only ones who will realise that this government doesn’t care about the plight of the poor citizens who voted them to power.

It’s so disappointing that he got sacked because of his intestinal fortitude and truthfulness. I saw this coming, considering how fierce he’s lately been in criticising this government for their failure to secure the lives of the people they had sworn to defend. I see his calculated dismissal as more of a  politically advised plan to compel him to complete silence so that they will continue to suppress us by being neglectful regarding safeguarding our vulnerable lives without him chastising them for their ugly sins.

What frustrates me more is knowing that his dismissal letter was full of grammatical inaccuracies and negotiated by people who are said to be genuine Muslims. Yet, their actions betray their faith and academic standings. Islam neither promotes nor tolerates such despicable acts. It’s the religion of peace. Hence, there’s no room for what they did in Islam.

We should be happy that he still breathes because we have seen how some of his likes were slain for saying the same thing. In case you forget, truth-telling cost Sheikh Jaafar and Albany Zaria their noble lives. So, it’s little wonder that the Digital Imam was just sacked. We’ll never get it better by hiding under the pretence of religion to promote and cover up the faults and interests of those usually self-seeking politicians. Accordingly, it’s unfair to deny our clerics the podium to speak truth to power simply because of political gains. 

Usama Abdullahi wrote from Abuja, Nigeria. He can be reached via usamagayyi@gmail.com