Why I sang for Buhari – Alan Waka

Aminuddeen Ladan Abubakar, popularly known as Alan Waka is a Hausa singer known for albums like ‘Bubukuwa’, ‘Bakan Dabo’, ‘Shahara’, ‘Lu’u-Lu’u’, and ‘Yanar gizo-gizo’ among others. Recently the Kannywood singer was among the artists who were invited by the Kano State Censorship Board concerning some of their works that allegedly released without passing through the […]

Aminuddeen Ladan Abubakar, popularly known as Alan Waka is a Hausa singer known for albums like ‘Bubukuwa’, ‘Bakan Dabo’, ‘Shahara’, ‘Lu’u-Lu’u’, and ‘Yanar gizo-gizo’ among others. Recently the Kannywood singer was among the artists who were invited by the Kano State Censorship Board concerning some of their works that allegedly released without passing through the board. In this interview with Weekend Magazine, he talks about his songs, the censorship board crises, how he got a traditional title and more. Excerpts:

Weekend Magazine: You have not released any song for a while. Have you quit the music industry as speculated?

Alan Waka: No, it’s not true. I am presently preparing to produce a new album. I sang many songs during the 2019 political campaigns and now that the winners have emerged, I have to sit down and take my time to come up with new albums that will inspire my listeners.

WM: How many songs have you produced so far?

Waka: I have produced more than a hundred songs. I love inspiring my fans on peace, advocacy and also to fight corruption and bad governance.

WM: You are known to be with the Kwankwasiyya movement, which is a faction of the Kano State PDP, but surprisingly you also sang a song for President Buhari during the 2019 presidential campaign. Isn’t that antiparty?

Waka: My politics is quite different from others. Basically, my choice of a candidate for any particular position during elections is based on credibility. In other words, I elect credible candidates across parties. I don’t follow political parties blindly. I sang a song for president Buhari because then he was my best choice. But subsequently, I chose to support a PDP gubernatorial candidate here in Kano for same reason.

WM: Some weeks ago, you were given the title of Xan’Amanar Bichi by His Highness, the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero. Does this mean that the prophecy you made about eight years ago in one of your songs titled ’Lu’u-lu’u a cikin juji’ (‘A Diamond in Garbage’) has come to reality?

Waka: Yes, you’re absolutely right. In that song I mentioned that talent is all that God has blessed me with and categorically said that I am neither from a wealthy family nor from a royal family. I also said that my father was not a scholar, I am not holding any political appointment and I am not a journalist. I have however almost attained all these by the power of my talent. I described myself as an unusual diamond unexpectedly dug out from garbage. So, when I was turbaned the Xan’amanar Bichi by His Highness the Emir of Bichi I gave Allah the glory.

WM: What kind of relationship do you have with the Emir?

Waka: Firstly, my relationship with the Emir is very cordial. I was close to him since when he was holding the title of Sarkin dawakin tsakar-gida. Secondly, when I was young my grandfather used to take us to the Emir’s palace every Friday to pay homage and show allegiance. In fact, at that time we assumed that whoever was opportune to see and greet the Emir is blessed and all his sins were forgiven. At that time, he was the only Emir of Kano we knew. After his death the Emir of Bichi stepped in his shoes as my mentor and guarantor.

I remember when we decided to form a particular association of Kannywood singers. We first approached the late Emir. After he agreed to support us, he also asked the then Sarkin dawakin-tsakar-gida, that is the present Emir of Bichi, to guide us through. He had attended some of our meetings which led to the creation of World Hausa Music Day which was first celebrated in January, 2013. Since then it’s only once that he has missed the celebration. Even when I came up with my foundation it was him who stood as my guarantor.

WM: Recently the Kano State Censorship Board accused you and some other Kannywood artists of bypassing them in the production of your works. What is behind this misunderstanding?

Waka: The board was established in 2001 by the then Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, after having consultations with Islamic clerics. We all agreed with the mission and vision on which it was established, that is censoring artistic works that would be watched and listened by us and our families, having in mind that Kano is a Hausa city and above all we are Muslims. But later on, in 2007 during the former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, this board under the leadership of Abubakar Rabo was confused to the extent that one was not able to understood whether it was established to destroy Kannywood by intimidating artist who were in opposition parties or to guard our standards.

Now the same thing is happening, much worse than in the time of Rabo. Now the board has been hijacked to the extent that only those artists who are not in APC have been either invited or arrested by the board. Rabo was fair enough to sanction artists from both sides. I am a living witness, because when I was sent to prison then, I was a member of the ruling party. But now the narrative has changed. Once they invite you as member of the opposition, if they are unable to establish any evidence against you, they will declare some of your past works as uncensored.

They even went out of their jurisdiction in order to intimidate us. For instance, what is their concern with our works on YouTube? Why are they saying that we must pass through the board before uploading them on YouTube? YouTube have their terms of agreement that we all signed and agreed before we became subscribers. It is time for them to know that if it comes to some online businesses, we are independent marketers.

Waka: What words do you have for your fans?

Waka:  My message is to everybody. The elections are over, so I want us to forget our political differences, forgive each other and move our country to the next level. Those who lost elections and are not happy with the way things have turned out are already in the courts. Therefore, we should accept whatever the courts rule and move ahead.