The Special Adviser to Zamfara State Governor on Public Enlightenment Media and Communications Malam Zailani Bappa has declared that, contrary to the perception of some critics of the state government for hosting the former Minister of Aviation Fani Kayode, the action of the Governor of Zamfara is strictly an emulation of the virtues of the holy Prophet Muhammad SAW of doing good against an evil action.
Mr Bappa who declared this via a statement obtained by this medium noted that, majority of those pouring criticism against the Governor and government of Zamfara hides under religion to support their arguements expecting that the Governor shall use that same sentiment to fight Fani Kayode back.
Bappa noted further that, to show how religious sentiment reel harder on the Fani Kayode visit, some notable traditional title holders in the Emirates have gone to the extent of resigning their appointments alleging that, the emirate has bent to the political bidding of the Governor.
But in its reaction Governor’s Spokes Man Malam Zailani Bappa insisted that, hosting the former Minister by Governor Matawalle against whatever impression others have is done in line with the pure practices of the holy Prophet Muhammad SAW as he always replies good to the evil doorers.
“Indeed, the Zamfara State Government under Governor Bello Mohammed welcomed the voluntary visit by the former Aviation Minister. Governor Bello Mohammed took this decision propelled by the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). During his own time, the Prophet was earlier hated by Meccans and was not only abused and denigrated, but also molested and humiliated. He was once made to be stoned by some children at Ta’if by the leaders of the village; he once had the placenta of an animal emptied on his body as he prayed!” Bappa added.
To further support his arguement Bappa insisted “History had it that our dear Prophet did not join the supposedly cursed persons who abused, denigrate and humiliate him. He, instead, prayed for them. And he called them to the right path. His passionate and transparent attitude cajoled most of them to his side over time. And even when he finally triumphed over them as he ontered the city of Makka with dignity, he pardoned all of them. In Madina, he will host visiting Christians who came to “disgrace” amongst his people. He will invite Jews to his anode and host them to excellent reception even as they plotted to kill him”.
He explained that, the virtue of our Prophet is to preach and express good deeds to those who are vehemently against him and what he stood for. It is only when they are totally irredeemable, he then fights them, mostly from instructions by the Almighty Allah.
Narrowing down his arguement to the time of the Premier of the Northern region Bappa noted that, “when the then Daily Times, Nigeria’s premier Newspaper, was vehemently portraying the North in Bad light, that time in the 1960’s when it used to say all those unprintable things about the North and its peoples, Sir Ahmadu Bello (of blessed memory), did not join them by ordering the Nigerian Citizen Newspaper to attack back. Instead, he invited the Editor of the Daily Times, Peter Enahoro, to visit the North. After he answered the call and was taken round the zone, the paper’s narrative completely changed because he saw a people different from the stereotyped tribes he has been abusing on daily basis.This is quite true to what Governor Bello Mohammed has done in this regard”.
He also said contrary to the trip religious coloration given to the visit, Fani Kayode has been lending his voice to many issues especially on the way Northern Nigeria is governed as against the other region of the country and that as responsible as Governor Matawalle he may not be too low to join issues with Fani Kayode on anything that hat will redicule Northern Nigeria or Nigeria as a whole.
Zailani explained further that, since the visit of the former Aviation Minister, his impression about Zamfara and Northern Nigeria has changed especially with his recent comments about Zamfara and development strides of the serving Governor.
“Since the visit of FFK to Zamfara State, we have seen how he has spoken positively of a people who are much determined to rid their state of bad rulership. He has recalled how the late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, brought him into politics. He has also spoken of how Matawalle is serving as a bridge-builder, a feat many of his own kind have failed or lacked the courage to do. He has also spoken of how he intends to contribute his quota in the promotion of education in Zamfara state by allocating 50% of the 600 slots he has provided for students to study abroad” Bappa added.
According to Bappa “those who believe they are clean, and those who believe they love us as a people and our religion must be diplom
atic like our Prophet so that we do not get lost in the abyss of hate, revenge and petty attitude against those who have negative views about us, our society and our religion. An FFK against the North and Muslims yesterday and today might be an FFK for the North Muslims tomorrow. That can only be possible when he gets different treatment rather than confirming to him what he actilyally says about you”.
atic like our Prophet so that we do not get lost in the abyss of hate, revenge and petty attitude against those who have negative views about us, our society and our religion. An FFK against the North and Muslims yesterday and today might be an FFK for the North Muslims tomorrow. That can only be possible when he gets different treatment rather than confirming to him what he actilyally says about you”.
