In Defence of Naja

In Defence of Naja'atu

Sani Garba Mohammed

The damage [if any] has been done already on weather or not the statement credited to Naja 'atu Bala Mohd is appropriate. Many write-ups sprang up either in support or opposing what she said as per Mallam Shekarau's government, which some are in order but the others are trash.

To be precise, in those I came across, it is only the one written by one A.A. Abdulwahab in the Daily Triumph of 29th day of Rabiu Thani 1426/7th day of June 2005, that lack substances, he ended up attacking up the person of Naja'atu not the statement she said which already the state government depended herself. As such, the case ought to die there, yet it is gathering storm by the day as if what Naja'atu said is new. The aim of this piece is to depend my hero [Naja'atu] whom become a subject of blackmail., just by saying her opinion which she has inalienable right, notwithstanding her closeness and influential position in the state ANPP-which happens to be the party in power.

Abdulwahab said that ''…people like Naja'atu and her co-hort [business as usual] politicians would not find any comfortable place in government [of Shekarau]" [emphasis mine] is not only unfortunate but also unfounded. Who told you Naja'atu is looking for money or an access to the state government money to cash in and disappeared, for your information, she is successful businesswoman whose active and energetic participation in ANPP is for good governance. What is even wrong if she demand contract from the government she sacrificed her life to make it a reality [after the despotic and autocratic government of Rabiu Plumber tried to harm her] in as much she follows normal procedure. What is the essence of participation in politics besides good governance? Is it wrong for whoever to get contract irrespective of weather or not she is a party member ,and considering her position it will be morally wrong for her to be denied contract if she ever demand for it. I wonder how Abdulwahab arrives at his conclusion that Naja'atu did not deserve to chair KSIP commander as if she has no qualities and technical competence in being there. Her decision to quit the position given to her is purely on principles, nothing else nothing more. Hence, your insinuation that she is 'Chop-make-I-Chop' politician, opportunist, and propagandist is untrue.

I was flabbergasted by your referral that the like of Naja'atu are "always self centred, fighting for their personal interest" and that she is "after luring government to settle their [her] personal bills of whatever, getting paid by the government for fake contracts and supplies..." I challenge you to let me know how, where and when does Naja'atu become such a type of politician? If Naja'atu falls under the above category of politician, she could have made her money during Rabi'u Kwankwaso's [Plumber] government and Obasanjo's government. They lure and lobby her to the core to join them and reap the politics of sharing the 'state and national cake' respectively, but she refused to, instead, she remain firm, resolute and principles in sticking to ANPP and spearheading the struggle against tyranny commandeered by Buhari. So, to describe her as 'self centred' etc is foolish and ignorant.

You make case to Shekarau to "improve on is [sic] his information ministry" which according to you "is too slow or silent in giving explicit information to public on government's programmes and projects..". Perhaps you are not living in Kano state, if you have been living in Kano, you could have known that the ministry is trying its best in disseminating information on her success and weakness, and even calling for criticism in as much as it will make their effort better. It is an open secret that Kano state government is trying in all facet of life, against internal and external odds, and no matter what, government cannot satisfy everybody. In fact, the state government need not publicise her programmes, for we are witnesses to her human and infrastructural development, uplifting and restoring the battered image of our dilapidated hospitals, educational and societal revival and other countless projects.

Yet again, you said, "If people are really informed about what the present administration has done and is doing to improve the lots of people of Kano state, both at home and in diaspora, Hajiya Naja'atu would not have left the premises of Radio Freedom without having some stroke of cane on her back by the irritated masses". Who even told you that people are not well inform on the activities of the present administration, perhaps as I said you are living in Kano state? It will also be stupid and barbaric for the masses to beat whomever [no matter how rascal s/he is], talk less of personality like Naja'atu by just saying his/her opinion. I will be least surprise to har this happened during Shekarau, that some body is molested by saying his opinion even if untrue, for it is Shekarau's principles to allow every body to say his/her view on all his policies negatively or positively. This is contrary to what is obtained in the remaining parts of Nigeria where by opposition were silenced, oppressed and relegated to the background, as all the states media will not allow them to say anything similar to what we witness recently during Rabi'u Kwankwaso's era.

All the comment made by Naja'atu did not say Shekarau is not trying or is performing below expectation, she only pour her venomous attack on him on his failure to listen to her on certain important issues which affect the state, where by those who circumscribe him stop him from entertaining her seriously and his political relationship with Buhari. To me whether Shekarau is with Buhari or not is not the issue, the issues are, is Shekarau up to expectation, is he performing accordingly, does the mandate given to him being utilise, these and many others are what will shape his political future, notwithstanding he is together or not with Buhari. Though Buhari is a force to reckon with, or in fact the biggest factor that help Shekarau to go through [notwithstanding the need of change of the government of Rabi'u Plumber then], hence, his relationship or not with Shekarau should not be the issue that will derail the present government on the right track she is following. I even regard the statement as part of the politics, not necessarily real issue.

I join you in your prayer that "We are eagerly awaiting the exit of the remaining [no more room for you] selfish, politicians who are still lobbying their chances in government house, so that they can expose themselves and burst..." who in one way or the other are trying to circumscribe the government. However, bear it in mind that Naja'atu is not part and will never fall in your description, we still regard her as reliable, dependable, accessible and die hard of politics of good governance not self-enrichment.

Conclusion

Your write up only end up attacking the personality of Naja'atu Mohd not the issues she raised in the said interview against Shekarau, which already, the state government defended her self. I wonder why Abdulwahab refused to pick the issues and discuss them objectively, you should know that opposition from wherever it comes, constructive or destructive is a welcome development and must have substances worth regarding no matter how small. What is needed is, does the criticism say the fact[s], if yes improve upon seeing it, if no, discard it into dustbin and look ahead. I am advising Abdulwahab to borrow a leaf from Sabo Inuwa, in his article related to this titled 'Naja'atu: softly, softly please' in Sunday Triumph, 5th June 2005 who discuss the issue objectively. So, to me, I do not see Naja'atu's comment in bad faith, they are done in order to straightens and put the government in more better position in the areas in contention, so that the purposeful leadership of Shekarau be re-invigorated and impact. There is no iota of vendetta, any motive, or blackmail in Naja'atu's comment, it is just her opinion, which is not binding on anybody. Whether or not what she said is true, it is we [the people] that will judge sooner or later, for, we have heard her and government side, why the hullabaloo.

All the same, whether it is government or Naja'atu is right, in politics there is no permanent enemy but permanent interest, hence Naja'atu is ANPP member, as such mending the two [herself and the government] no matter how long is inevitable in the interest of the party and the masses at large. More so, to solidify, increase and sustain the political base of our mentor, commander and the president to be [By Allah's grace]-Muhammadu Buhari. As such, drawing a parallel between her and government will only end up harming us and serving the interest of the opposition indirectly, we need to be cautious.

Abdulwahab need to know no amount of blackmail, innuendoes and casting aspersion on Naja'atu will stop us from being her fans, we respect her ideology, frankness and down to earth in saying the truth no matter whose ox will gore. If you do not know, we are expecting her to declare in the nearest future for Kano central senatorial district in 2007, so that she can represent us accordingly and defend our interest-the masses, for we lack people like them in the National Assembly. I have no doubt, the way she during UNCP and 1999 election which was robbed in favour of Kura Mohd, will be repeated in 2007 should she contest. A word is enough for a wise.

Sani Garba, writes from No 34, Zaria Road, Kano.