The attention of the Niger State Government has been drawn to an editorial in the Daily Trust Newspaper of 15th July 2024, titled “Bago: Let Temperance Reign”. This editorial and many other reports did not only misrepresent the incident that took place during the three-day Fidau Prayers for the late wife of the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Zainab Garba, wherein the Governor ordered security agents to remove an individual who attempted to take over the spiritual duties of the Imams gathered at the Deputy Governor’s residence, it also came up with some fictitious claims.
While the state government preferred not to engage in the controversy currently celebrated on social media and other platforms, especially when the state was in a mourning period due to the demise of the Deputy Governor’s wife, it has become necessary to set the record straight and correct the misconceptions about the Governor’s actions.
The state government did not wish to dignify the controversy currently being celebrated on social media and other platforms, especially during this period of mourning for the Deputy Governor’s loss, it has become imperative to do so as some media outfits seem to be using the incident week in week out to cause disaffection between the Governor and Muslims especially the Imams.
The Governor considers the three days Fidau Prayers as a very sensitive and important event that should be presided over by an Imam or any renowned Islamic Scholar, not by an unqualified individual
The governor’s decision to ask the individual to leave the venue of the prayer is based on maintaining the sanctity and solemnity of the occasion.
He found the act of the person not just as disrespectful to the dead and the reason for the gathering but also as insensitive which led to him requesting that he be taken out by the security agents.
The continued attacks on the Governor’s character by some media outlets over this issue are unfortunate and uncalled for, especially since the Governor’s actions were meant to curb the excesses of unruly individuals and prevent the Fidau prayer from being reduced to a mere spectacle or a child’s play.
The individual in question is a long-time follower of the Governor, known from his time in the banking industry and his tenure as a Member of the House of Representatives who he knows personally and has empowered with different trades at different times but has continuously squandered the money and keeps coming back and on that day, to get the Governor’s attention, he impersonated as an imam until the Governor found him out.
It is worth noting that while some media houses have continued to criticize the Governor’s actions, others have understood and supported the necessity of maintaining order and respect in public functions, particularly during sensitive gatherings like the Fidau Prayer.
The individual involved not only denied being slapped by the security agents who ordered him out of the Deputy Governor’s residence in a video but has publicly apologized to the Imams and the Governor, acknowledging his overzealousness and inappropriate actions.
He has shown remorse and requested forgiveness from both the Governor and the forum of Imams.
Regrettably, this aspect of the story has not received the media attention it deserves.
The narrative has been skewed towards controversy, overshadowing the young man’s sincere apology and the Governor’s rightful concern for maintaining the dignity of the event.
The Governor’s actions were driven by respect for the deceased, the purpose of the gathering, and the need to preserve the sanctity of the Friday Prayer.
“Because certain media outlets prefer to push a different narrative, the story of the young man’s apology and remorse has not received the attention it deserves”.
The Governor’s intervention was not just about maintaining order but also about ensuring respect for the deceased and the sanctity of the prayer event.
