Hello Everyone,
This article and video maybe of interest to some who are interested in examples of lack of accountability and irresponsibility on the part of some political elites in Nigeria. If you have already read or watched the video, my apology please. You need to scroll down the article to see the video, which is about the governor of Katsina State. He spoke in Hausa language but there is a transcript and translation of what he said as he was saying it. Here is the weblink:
The Governor of Katsina is surely not the only person involved in this kind of reckless political behavior. Others may be "smarter" in how and where they say what they say. Even if we did not have a system of rule of law in Nigeria, at least constitutionally, what he did is against Islamic social ethics. Basil Davidson discusses the role of check and balances in traditional African political systems using political kingdoms in Nigeria as case studies.
In one of the episodes, Yusuf Maitama Sule who was Nigeria's former permanent representative at the United Nations explained the system of accountability in Kano emirate system with the emir in charge. Surely, there were aberrations but this kind of reckless behavior on the part of the Governor Katsina would not be tolerated under Islamic social ethics. Maitama used to frequent Kano when I was an undergraduate student at Bayero University. He was always an inspiration. But time is passing.
I am sure that Al Maghili will not approve the governor's behavior. The Governor may be one of the leaders in his mosque and the prayer session may not start until he arrives, but religious practice in Nigeria often does not seem to have impact on public morality. I am sure there are Christian leaders who will go to church and sing choruses and then go and do terrible political things. If prayer will change Nigeria, we will have to see that change begin in changing people first.
Samuel
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