Amana Online - Articles - Barka Da Zuwa

Under normal circumstance, and as a matter of personal style, I don’t envy talking over issues raised by readers in respect of my opinions, particularly those expressed in the pages of newspapers since naturally some lackeys who feed fat on public resources will do all they can to defend the indefensible. It is not in my culture to join issues with my readers. My view is that in as much as I express my thoughts, others too are entitled to theirs. I do so with the conviction that I had made my points and there is no going back on them.

However, it is important to once in a while break from this tradition because of the inherent danger of allowing roadside agents to have a field day in not addressing the issues but playing with readers intelligence through self centred and parochial motives embedded in insults and big grammar aimed to gain favours and impress readers. This is necessary when the substance of the issues I raised were not even addressed by my critics but trivialized for personal selfish ends.

I am particularly reacting to ‘Lamido and Zanna’s puerile pettiness’ by one Lawal Jet Kaugama in Leadership newspaper of March 17, 2008 and ‘Hafsat Zanna: the imbecile as a critic’ by one Yusuf Suleiman an Editorial Assistant, Jigawa Government house in Daily Trust of March 19, 2008, largely because they have all failed to deny the issues I raised in my piece. What they merely did was to personalize my views and called me names.

Kaugama, a former aide of Saminu Turaki and now seeking relevance and engagement by Lamido is all out to show Lamido that he can handle his Press Corps like he did for the governor before. Unknown to him other forces like Suleiman, within the Lamido dynasty are also working hard to win his hearts. Anyway, that is not even my concern.

Why should the Lamido defenders fail to ignore the issues I raised in my piece? Other than saying that Lamido is a saint when it comes to using his office to make money, the duo hadn’t anything good about their new found political godfather to tell their readers. For the avoidance of doubt, permit me to painstakingly recall the issues I raised that need the comments of the Lamido duo image launders.

Is it true that a Permanent Secretary in its service among others was duped?

Is it true that money doublers are having a nice time in the government house in particular and the state in general because of the widespread of public funds pilferage?.

Is Lamido’s son now a major contractor of the state government?

Is it true that the construction of a modern Palace for the Bamaina district head (Lamido’s son) was been financed by the state government to the tune of more than N200m?

Is it true that Jigawa state government is funding the PDP in the state and neighbouring Kano state?

Is it true that Jigawa state allocates monthly stipend for domestic affairs of Mohammed Abubakkar Rimi’s residence in Kano ?

Is it true that Jigawa state funds find their ways to Otta every month as a show of loyalty to the Baba of do or die politics?

What of the massive purchase of official cars for commissioners, state assembly members, political appointees and other hangers on and friends and masters of the governor at cut throat prices?

What of the consultant’s appointment by the government who take 5% of all contract sums in the name of consultancy services? Who are they fronting for?

I have no doubt in my mind that the piece I wrote in Weekly Trust of March 8, 2008 and Daily Trust newspaper of March 13, 2008 titled ‘Jigawa government house now a den of money doublers?’, was capable of raising dust in some circles that that may want to look for scapegoats for their dismal performance in office and betrayal of trust reposed in them in what is clearly a stolen mandate. My concern then, now and forever is for the leaders at all levels to develop the state. I have no hidden intentions in raisng my issues other than to make the leaders know that they are being closely watched by the led. The aim is make them use their time and our resources for the betterment of the people. No more, no less.

It is therefore my prayers that Lamido’s agents like Kaugama and Suleiman will see my critic as one of those well intentioned unsolicited advises.

As an indigene of Jigawa state but married to a Kanuri and living in Borno state, I have the conviction that I am a stakeholder in the issues, living conditions, aspirations, hopes and problems of the state like Sule Lamido, the governor of the state today courtesy of Obasanjo’s do or die anointment. As a mass communication graduate, student of politics and one interested in her roots, I feel charlatans disguising as socialists, reformers and upright leaders like Lamido who are using fronts to defraud the lean resources of the state must be checked before it gets too late like his predecessor, Saminu Turaki did in his 8 years of misrule of the state.

At the supersonic and smart speed the Lamido train is moving, a number, of the stakeholders in the state are afraid that he may go two steps ahead of the atrocities committed by Turaki. In spite of the low literacy level of the Jigawa populace, the people are very politically conscious. The Turaki administration in particular has opened their eyes. They have learnt so many things.