The attention of the Niger State Government has been drawn to an editorial in one of the Nigerian dailies titled “Bago: Let Temperance Reign,” which made some fictitious claims against the state Governor.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, it was clarified that the editorial and numerous other reports misrepresented the incident during the three-day Fidau Prayers for the late wife of the state Deputy Governor, Hajiya Zainab Garba.
The reports incorrectly stated that the Governor ordered security agents to remove an individual who tried to take over the spiritual duties of the gathered Imams.
The statement indicated that, although the state government preferred to avoid engaging in the controversy circulating on social media and other platforms, especially during the mourning period following the Deputy Governor’s wife’s death, it has become necessary to clarify the misconceptions about the Niger State Governor’s actions and set the record straight.
Aisha Wakaso, however, strongly condemned the situation where some media outlets seem to be using the incident week after week to cause disaffection between the Governor and Muslims, especially the Imams.
The Governor considers the three days Fida’u Prayers as a very sensitive event that should be presided over by an Imam or any renowned Islamic Scholar, but not by an unqualified individual that is not an Imam.
She further explained that Governor Umar Bago’s decision to ask the individual to leave the prayer venue was based on maintaining the sanctity and solemnity of the occasion, describing such an act as disrespectful to the deceased and the purpose of the gathering.
The ongoing attacks on the Governor’s character by certain media outlets regarding this matter are regrettable and unjustified, particularly since the Governor’s actions aimed to control the excesses of disruptive individuals and ensure that the Fidau prayer did not become a mere spectacle.
The Special Adviser said the individual in question was a long-time supporter of the Governor, dating back to his time in the banking industry and his tenure as a Member of the House of Representatives.
Aisha Wakaso noted that the Governor knows him personally and has empowered him with various trades at different times but he has continuously squandered the money and keeps returning, this time attempting to impersonate an imam until the Governor discovered the truth.
PR/ALIYU LAWAL
