Shema under fire over ‘crush opponents’ gaffe

The governor’s gaffe appeared in a two-minute video clip, which was first posted on the internet on November 12, but went viral yesterday. Daily Trust learnt that the political rally was held in Dutsinma, his hometown.Speaking in the Hausa language, Shema reeled out some achievements recorded by his administration and told his audience not to […]

The governor’s gaffe appeared in a two-minute video clip, which was first posted on the internet on November 12, but went viral yesterday. Daily Trust learnt that the political rally was held in Dutsinma, his hometown.
Speaking in the Hausa language, Shema reeled out some achievements recorded by his administration and told his audience not to worry about his opponents, whom he referred to as cockroaches.
“Don’t worry about political cockroaches. Cockroaches are found in the toilet even in homes. The moment you see a cockroach, what do you do?” the governor asked the audience, who chorused ‘you kill it.’ “Okay, crush them,” Shema said.
Reactions trail remark
Meanwhile, the governor has come under heavy criticism from many people in the state, including members of the opposition and clerics in the state. This is even as the governor’s chief of staff, Salisu Majigiri said his principal has no history of violence and that the statement was apparently misunderstood.
The All Progressive Congress, APC has said the statement was targeted at it and its members due to its growing acceptability and popularity in the state.
The Katsina state chairman of APC, Mustapha Inuwa, said the party would petition the Inspector General of police and the State Security Services to investigate such utterance as they could not fold their arms to be threatened with violence by the governor.
He said Governor Shema’s statement must not be swept under the carpet as its ferocity and consequences were enormous enough as the nation goes to the polls in a few months.
In his reaction, the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Dr. Yusha’u Armayau has described the governor’s comment as a costly political gaffe, calling on the security agencies to be alert to their responsibility and that the IG and all security agencies should be alert to the fact that the Chief security officer of the state can make such an unfortunate statement.
The state chairman of National Conscience Party (NCP) Abdulmuminu Shehu Sani has also said that the statement has raised the level of unguarded statements by politicians to an unfortunate level.
The chairman of concerned PDP members’ forum, Aliyu Sani, in his reaction said it is alarming for Shema to have said what he said in the video, noting that this is very ungentlemanly and as a leader such comments should not have come from him.
An Islamic scholar and leader of the Jama’atu Izalatul Bidi’a Waikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Yakubu Musa also said politicians should be mindful of their statements, noting that unguarded utterances could spell doom for the country. He said such statement should not have come from a leader.
But a political sympathizer of the governor, H.B Nagudu  on the other hand said Shema was only referring to electoral crushing and not in a violent manner as portrayed by many. “The governor is only talking about defeating his opponents at the polls.”
Daily Trust reports that Nigerian politicians have made costly gaffes in the past, which had generated heated debates as well as wide condemnations.
Some past gaffes
In February 2007, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo declared that the April election was a “do or die” affair for the country and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which led to an outcry from the opposition and civil socities.
In June 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan said he didn’t “give a damn” about declaration of assets, after he was asked at a presidential media chat. The comment sparked condemnation, especially on the social media.
Also, Vice President Namadi Sambo drew the ire of the opposition when, ahead of the August election in Osun State, he was reported as saying that “We are going to the war front and bring back our stolen mandate.”
Transcript of the video clip
The PDP administration in Katsina State has impacted on your life and that of your family.
You must take your sick child to the hospital for free treatment.
You have to use the good roads built by the PDP to go to your house.
Your child has not paid a kobo for his education since I became governor. He is not paying for examinations. [Someone from the audience said WAEC and NECO free]
From 2007 to date, there is no father that is paying a kobo for his child to go to primary or secondary school, or for WAEC, NECO or NABTEB.
Therefore, we must be grateful to Allah.
If you take a look at some states – I don’t have to mention them; but they are many – they have had PDP and other parties at different times. But Katsina has been under the control of the PDP since the return of democracy.
And don’t worry about political cockroaches. Cockroaches are found in the toilet even at home. The moment you see a cockroach, what do you do? [The audience responded: you kill it]. He repeated the question before he added “Crush them.”
And I tell you, if anyone touches you, you must retaliate.
The politics we played in the past, where PDP members are disrespected, humiliated and molested, but we asked them to be patient, now whoever wrongs you, you must retaliate, I said it.