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Governor Yarima and his Many Blunders
These days when I hear governor Yarima of zamfara state crying wolf over EFCC’S investigation of zamfara State officials and some of his cronies, I almost laugh myself out. Weird things happen in this world indeed.
In an article, BETWEEN GOV SANI AND EFCC, published in the Daily Trust of Thursday, August 3, Ahmed Umar Dallatu accuses Governor Sani of non-performance and hypocrisy among other things. And certainly not without substantial reasons to prop up his points. He slapped Yarima with his own onions, quoting the Shariah governor in many of the governor’s contradictions and controversies. I can see why Dallatu had to do that. With many Islamic clerics in his huge pocket, Yarima and his Mullahs usually revile the Governor’s critics as sinners for lack of proof, and often, on the bases of a Quranic verse that say: O you who believe! If a sinner comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done (Chapter 26: 6).
One Olumide Lawal, the National Director of Publicity, Yarima Campaign Organisation, and one Hassan Sani, the Secretary General Coalition of Nigerian Youths for Yarima 2007 both made rejoinders in the Daily Trust of August 15, 2006 and the Weekly Trust of August 19, respectively, and tried, albeit in vain, to go into raptures over their master. Of course they both missed the point, and they ended up beating about the bush. But should they be blamed? That is apparently what they are being paid for after all. So they are doing their job. And, perhaps, they would never understand what Zamfara people have gone through over the last seven years. Like some fervent supporters of Yarima, who are mostly outside Zamfara State, they would never understand the pain of watching your Governor destroy every aspect of people’s lives through all manner of shameless embezzlement, outright looting and mismanagement of public till, subjecting the citizenry to perpetual poverty and all other consequences of such evil governance.
And no matter the propaganda Yarima and his followers would embark upon, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is clear on the three signs of a hypocrite; that when he speaks, he lies; when he makes promises, he breaks them; and he abuses the trusts put upon him. Apparently Yarima perfectly fits these descriptions. Every citizen of Zamfara State and whoever has any dealings with him know this to be absolutely true.
I cannot understand why Yarima of all people should accuse anyone of witch-hunting him. However, moral obliquity taints the intellect. According to Sanskrit proverb, “when destruction comes near, understanding is turned upside down”.. And a Latin proverb has it that “whom God wishes to destroy He first makes demented”. Governor Yarima’s extravagance with public funds is a public knowledge. He severally admitted that it is the manifestation of his generous spirit. He even saw nothing wrong with giving millions of cash and car gifts to praise singers at political jamborees. “If you go to other States” The Yariman Bakura quipped, “you find Governor’s giving dollars and ponds sterling, not even Naira, but nobody has said anything. I don’t think giving praise singers car gifts or money should be a problem”. (See New Impression Magazine August, 31, 2006). But then when he was accused of engaging in extravagancy, the Shariah Governor made a sharp turn around. “I do not engage in extravagant life because it will be shameful for me… with the implementation of Shariah in the State, all of us are expected to live prudently” (see Daily Trust of Monday, Aug 28, 2006). Such is the disgusting antics of the man who proclaims himself the leader of all Nigerian Muslims.
Again, when I hear Governor Yarima accuse Nuhu Ribadu’s EFCC of “unconstitutional” detention of his accolades, I spit in disgust! For this is the same Yarima who blackmail, manipulate and uses Shariah Court Judges, High Court Judges, and the police in Zamfara State to intimidate, harass, blackmail, illegally arrest and detain his political opposition with a view to silencing them. The case of the Zamfara State Chairman of the newly formed Democratic People’s party (DPP), Alhaji Salihu Maibuhu Gummi and his supporters is a case in point. Through his clown, the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Sani Takori, Governor Yarima influences the arrests and detentions of many DPP supporters for periods longer than constitutionally required. Those put on trial for trump up and ridiculous charges are holed up in prisons and are denied bail or given impossible bail conditions by orders of overzealous Magistrate Judges loyal to the Governor.
Justice Kulu Aliyu,
the Zamfara State Chief Judge, is undoubtedly another pawn in the hands
of Yarima. Her husband, Isah Aliyu, the former Director General of
Sports (and now promoted to Permanent Secretary) was clearly indicted by
the State Anti-corruption Commission for his involvement in embezzling
public funds to the tune over
It is pathetic and ironic indeed that Governor Yarima who claims to champion Shariah advocacy becomes so ungrateful to God, by practicing what he does not preach, and preaching what he does not practice. As he tries to emasculate political opponents in his domain through mischievous means, nemesis is sure catching up with him, because he is fighting a course that Allah has prohibited him from. This much he said in the Weekly Trust of August 28, 2004, “If we start doing anything against anybody just because of party differences”, he opined, ‘then it means we are not grateful to God. It means we are fighting a course that God has prohibited us from”.
More disheartening is
the manner the governor in conjunction with the State Attorney General,
Sani Takori, further took Zamfara people for a ride by
unconstitutionally short -changing the State treasury the sum
And in trying to justify this improper action, and put up a defense, Governor Yarima through his Director Press, Ibrahim Birnin Magaji, said “Professional fees” is the cheapest the governor considered after receiving different quotations from several other legal firms. He further argued that his administration would not fold its arms and watch EFCC “unconstitutionally” detain and charge its officials to Court.
But, here again, I think Governor Yarima goofed once more. Has he not challenged anybody and especially Zamfara citizens to petition the EFCC if there is any suspicion of corruption in his government?
“If any body is interested in knowing whether a contract has been given and money taken,” the governor suggested, “they can petition to EFCC and ICPC to come and investigate” (see New Impression Magazine, of July-Aug 31, 2006)
Now, some concerned citizen picked up the gauntlet and petitioned to EFCC against the State officials and some of his lackeys, why then is Yarima maintaining that the suspects are absolutely innocent? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for him to let EFCC’s investigation as well as the Court of Law decides whether they are innocent or not? Shouldn’t they be the ones to defend themselves? Why should he approve the removal of public money to defend people suspected of stealing the same public funds? And suppose, as he claimed, that their arrests is “unconstitutional”, how then could he fight unconstitutionality with a more gruesome unconstitutionality? And besides, what if the Court of Law eventually found them guilty after all? Shouldn’t Governor Yarima be relieved that bad eggs are flushed out of his administration?
He said so in the Daily Trust of Monday, Aug 28, 2006, that “At the end of their (EFCC) investigation, if any of my Commissioners or government officials is found wanting, it means they have helped us flush out the bad eggs”
And now Yarima accuses EFCC of “selective justice”. But this accusation is nothing new. It has been said before. Interestingly no one ever accuses EFCC of nabbing the innocent. In a special edition of Conscience International, a London-based International Magazine, which featured only the governor, it was Yarima who acknowledged that “The idea that they (EFCC) are selective in their investigation is subjective. As far I am concerned, objectively, ICPC, and EFCC have achieved something. EVEN IF THEY ARE SELECTIVE, THEY SELECT THOSE WHO ARE CORRUPT”.
You see, by his own admission, it means Yarima is corrupt. And as Ribadu said, the case of corruption in Zamfara is the worst in the Country. Yarima thus has no moral right to accuse Ribadu of “selective justice”. Although he and his cohorts persistently argue that the Shariah Governor should not be accused of corruption on the grounds that he was the first governor to publicly declare his assets; and that he was the first governor to implement Shariah in his State, they tend to shy away from the fact that these grounds are even more the reason why his case becomes the most disappointing. Yes, he declared his assets way back in 1999 and 2003 respectively, and we all know what he declared. But Yarima is only being clever by half. For it is an open secret that with his approval, billions of Naira allegedly found their way from government coffers to the bank accounts of his cronies most of whom were arrested by the EFCC and are under investigation.
And yes, he is the first governor to implement Shariah in his State, but then the man suffers from chronic deception. By his actions (inactions?), he betrays the very ideals that he claims to pursue. Perhaps, he chooses to ignore the fact that shouting “Allah Akbar!!!” does not automatically makes one a saint. A leader has to lead exemplarily to attain a credible height. I believe if Yarima has led his people true to his words, Zamfara State would have been the most developed State in Nigeria today.
History teaches us that even in matters of religion the end should justify the means. We have heard of some companions of our beloved Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) who devoutly participated in many Jihads, and lived with the Prophet to his last day, but sadly ended up in Hell. Ukashatu is one of such persons. Ukashatu was a companion of the Prophet (S.A.W), and he was so close to the Prophet (S.A.W) that he served as the Prophet’s loud speaker on account of his loud voice. In many of the Prophet’s speeches, including the last sermon at the mount Arafat, it was Ukashatu’s voice that the entire Muslim Ummah heard that historical day as he repeated the words of the Prophet (S.A.W) which was inaudible to the large audience. But soon after the Prophet’s demise, Ukashatu indulged into alcohol consumption. He was one day caught, and was caned by Abubakar (AS), the then Amirul- mu’minin, as prescribed by Shariah Law. Ukashatu left Medina in annoyance, renounced his religion and died not only a drunkard, but an apostate. Wa iyyazu billah!
Governor Yarima should thus fear Allah and stride very carefully. Islamic religion must not be used to meet selfish and corrupt ends. We say this not because we hate Yarima, but because we love our religion and Zamfara State more. Yarima’s multiple standard is no doubt another of his albatross.
It was sometimes in 2001 that Yarima publicly rained curses on United States of America and its intelligent outfit, the CIA, accusing them of siding with the Jews in the perpetual persecution of Muslim Palestine and Afghanistan. He christened United States “the greatest enemy of Islam” and called on the Muslim Ummah to help fight them. In fact, to show his ultimate commitment, the governor even pledged his official monthly salary to the cause of the Afghans. Yet, on Tuesday, September 26, 2006, Yarima was in USA, with the broadest of his smiles, accepting an honorary citizenship of the State of Nebraska.
Moreover, as I write this piece, Gusau Water barrage has violently over flooded, after a heavy rainfall, reportedly causing the death of over 40 people, destroying about 500 houses, and rendering an estimated over 1000 people homeless. It is tragic indeed. Zamfara State government expectedly was quick to state that the flood is an act of God – a natural disaster. However, as we mourn the irreparable loss, we would not forget that this tragedy, according to some water board officials, was an avoidable one caused technically by the helpless inability of the water board officials to lift the gate through which the water would have passed. This is because Mr Renato Sala had strongly ordered that the gate remains locked, for reasons only best known to him.
Now wanted by EFCC, Mr Renato Sala and his companies, ITALCO SPA Nig Ltd and ITALCO the Builder Ltd, were the major consultants cum contractors paid billions of naira in the name of refurbishing the Gusau dam. Even as Zamfara people not unreasonably suspected that the Italian is but only a conduit pipe through which billions of public funds was looted, Governor Yarima had more than once stoutly defended Mr. Sala, saying that the Italian is the best thing that ever happens to Zamfara State. Even when Zamfarans daily suffer, and at times, painfully die of water related diseases on account of total lack of pipe born water, Yarima continued to mischievously tell the world that “Today the people (of Zamfara) can boast of 12 hours of water supply daily” (see Daily Trust, Monday, Aug 28, 2006). Now it looks like Zamfara people are vindicated, alas, in a disastrous circumstance. Little wonder that when the Shariah governor visited the scene, he was aggressively booed at by the irate masses. It is true after all, that our deeds, good or bad, go to Allah before us; and the day of reckoning surely comes in this life on earth or in the Hereafter, or both.
Abdullahi Mohammed can be reached at :adgusau @yahoo.com
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