Re: Shekarau and 2011 Presidential election

This is why the elections of America and any other part of the world that practice her type of democracy has always been regarded as role model. This is one of the reasons Barrack Hussein Obama has been able to defeat the Bush Republican party in spite of the African antecedent of the Democratic candidate. […]

This is why the elections of America and any other part of the world that practice her type of democracy has always been regarded as role model. This is one of the reasons Barrack Hussein Obama has been able to defeat the Bush Republican party in spite of the African antecedent of the Democratic candidate. But in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. We are so crude with our kind of democracy to the extent that people often relegate issues, persuasive means, intellectual discourse and ideological inclinations or party manifestoes to the background and promote sentiment, ignorance, falsehood and display of idiosyncrasies. Reading a piece posted recently by one Mr. Ndiameeh Babrik on the gamji website, under the title “Ibrahim Shekarau and 2011 Presidential election, it reminds one of pre-2007 elections. As soon as Shekarau thought of contesting his hark pathological foes became worried and terrified.

For the record, Mr. Babrik is one of the religious bigots that have always seized every opportunity to talk ills of Kano, its religion and the government. I had read his similar outburst and naivety in the Sahara reporters on two occasions against the man of the people.  One would not have bothered oneself if all that Ndiameeh Babrik writes has any element of truth. But nay, they are blatant crude lies. Mr. Barbaric is afraid of Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau and his being asked to contest for 2011 presidential election. What are his glues? He said it is because Shekarau prevented divorcees from staging their one million matches in Kano (sic). That the film makers Shekarau refuses to tolerate their illicit film shows would also not vote for him. According to Mr. Barbaric, Ibos in Sabon gari, Kano would not vote for Shekarau because of his anti-social Shariah crusade.  Mr. Barbaric also said the Buhari supporters would not vote for Shekarau and what he describes as “over 50 million vibrant Pentecostal Christians” would also not vote for Shekarau. He caps it all to say that the followers of the late Sheikh Ja’afar Adam would not vote for Shekarau because of his ‘role’ in the assassination of the Islamic cleric. All these, according to Mr. Barbaric are what would work against Shekarau’s 2011 presidential election and therefore, advised him not to contest. In making these wayward but dubious views, there are other claims that the Barbaric is not sure of.How myopic is Mr. Babrik to think that refusing divorcees from an organized show off on the streets, preventing illicit film makers from corrupting the society and such other nonsense social convulsions would affect someone’s chance of becoming President of a country as Nigeria. Are these factors to consider when electing President of a country? If divorcees are not happy with their situation, they should go back to their ex-husbands or wives to reconcile or look for a matured way of getting another suitor instead of politicizing their issue on the streets for a cheap goal. If it happens, it would further lead to their being ridiculed.

Mr. Babrik did not tell us who are his “over 50 million vibrant Pentecostal Christians” that would not vote for Shekarau? Why is Babrik cutting more than he can chew? On this issue however, Shekarau would win anybody hands down. Perhaps Mr. Babrik may fail to realise that it’s only Governor Shekarau among the Muslim dominated state governors of the North that exhibits better religious tolerance.

This is why he appointed two Christians among the three non-indigenes (an Ibo and a Yoruba) into his cabinet as Special Advisers. This is why in spite of the Shariah practice in Kano, Sabon gari town is still booming like hell. This is why he recalled back most of the non-indigenes that were sacked by the previous administration in the state. This is why there has been religious harmony in the state for the past five years. Above all, where were Babrik’s Pentecostal Christians when the northern Muslims gave their highest votes to Obasanjo that made him president for good eight years?

It is not out of place to educate Barbaric that the followers of the late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ja’afar Adam have no grudges against Shekarau because they know that in spite of the orchestrated campaign of calumny to frame him up, the Governor has no hand in the dastardly assassination of the late Scholar. This was why he peacefully won his second term election the second day the heinous crime was committed without much ado about any thing, all to the disappointments of what the perpetrators wanted to achieve in the state.

Saka Raji Audu writes from Kano and can be reached on his email: [email protected]