Wamakko and the humility question

Many reasons could be proffered as to why this class of politicians behave in such an alien manner. As a typical Hausa man would say; in anbi ta barawo, to abi ta mabi sawu, literally translated from Hausa: if a thief is a sinner, the person going after him should have been more careful not […]

Many reasons could be proffered as to why this class of politicians behave in such an alien manner. As a typical Hausa man would say; in anbi ta barawo, to abi ta mabi sawu, literally translated from Hausa: if a thief is a sinner, the person going after him should have been more careful not to fall into his trap.

What I am trying to arrive at is simply that, apart from greed and arrogance that become part of some of our generation’s politicians, most of our politicians simply turn arrogant because of their belief that it is not the will of the people that took them to the position they are occupying. It is either their money or network of connections. Although, in some cases even where will of people prevails, greed and arrogance sneak in, to be part of political office holder’s fortune or more appropriately misfortune.

Going by that scenario, it is worthy of commendation if a leader in this present Nigeria is found to be humble, easygoing, dedicated to his responsibilities and above all God-fearing.

I am convinced that Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State is one of those rare breed of humble leaders among the present crop of Nigerian politicians. Sakkwatawa have every reason to be grateful to God for this blessing.   

I was astounded and roundly amazed, when  I recently saw the governor sitting down on a mat and eating from the same plate with the local residents of Bodinga, my local government area, at a marriage solemnization ceremony. Many people, like me, could not believe their eyes as it is highly unusual to find a state governor sharing a plate of common food with his ‘common populace’.

When I remember, however, that the governor had throughout the last Holy month of Ramadan been going round all the Ramadan feeding centres sponsored by his government to break his fasting with the ‘common residents’ of Sokoto, it reduced the magnitude of that amazement. The governor, like some of his counterparts from the north, devoted millions of naira for the less privileged citizens of Sokoto State to be fed during Ramadan. The aim was to assist this class of people with what to break the fast with at sunset.

In order to ascertain the quality of food that was been produced, the governor took it upon himself to be going round the centres to make sure that what was produced was commensurate with the amount set aside by the state government.

For me, I believe that the governor has done that out of humility and to effectively discharge the responsibilities Allah has bestowed on him. There may be opposite opinions, however. Some, for example, may tend to say that Wamakko did what he did to gain political popularity. Even if that was the intention, Sokoto people and the state in general stand to benefit and, again, it tells a lot about Wamakko’s personality.

It shows that the governor is a true democrat who believes in the supreme will of the people. He believed that the vote of the people still counts and it is Allah through people’s will that elect who should govern a society; perhaps that was why the governor shared a plate of food with villagers in Bafarawa, for instance.

Therefore, going by the opinion of those who may give Wamakko’s humility a political inclination, it would mean that contrary to the current trend, Wamakko doesn’t believe that ‘common Nigerians’ votes are valueless in electing who should govern them.

Again, others tend to say that the governor behaves the way he is behaving because his stronghold is the grassroots and this grassroots support was what brought him to power. Going with this opinion would, as well, portray Wamakko as an unpretentious human being who doesn’t turn his back on the power that made him. Of course, this is, perhaps, why Sokoto is witnessing tremendous grassroots development.

Either going with my belief on Wamakko’s humility or with the contraries, it means that governor Wamakko has qualities that should be imitated by the country’s politicians. If our politicians could adopt minimalism and fear of God in their endeavours, there is no doubt Nigeria will develop and, perhaps, achieve its dream of 20:2020.

Abubakar wrote from Nassarawa GRA, Kano