By Mohammed Baba
CSOs, opposition political parties, clerics and citizens have condemned the attitude of Gov. Umar Bago of Niger for taking advantage of the poverty and economic hardship to dehumanize the electorate by throwing public money to be scrambled for by the people.
The North-Central Zonal Chairman, Campaign for Democracy, Human Right
Advocacy Civil Society of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Abdullahi-Jabi spoke to newsmen on the issue in Minna.
He averred that the governor is ignorant of the consequences of his actions despite the immunity he currently enjoys, adding that his action is most unfortunate.
Abdullahi-Jabi said, “The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is against such act of displaying or mutilation of the naira notes.
“This as contained in the constitution is contrary to the provision of the CBN Act of 2007, which contravened the financial regulations of the Nigerian constitution in totality.”
He stated that the governor is showcasing them or breeding potential beggars who are being dehumanized by bringing them to public shame and making a mockery of the bad situation of the masses.
He stressed that there is a need for him to show maturity like his other colleagues to learn the rudiments of governance and decorum
Abdullahi-Jabi urged the governor to desist from what he described as the current overzealousness that is negatively affecting his image and that of the state
In another development, the Niger North Zonal Chairman of PDP, Yahaya Ability has also condemned the governor’s action of throwing money into the public.
He noted that his Special Adviser on Security and that of Political Affairs are not performing their required responsibility.
Ability condemned the governor’s unrepentant action of degrading the masses because he has access to public funds to the detriment of the citizens.
He, therefore, advised him to change the negative narrative to enhance the good image of his position and the entire state.
Ability stated that this is not the only way to make himself popular as a sitting governor of Niger State, saying, “he should treat people with dignity, accord them respect and have a listening ear as nobody is above the law.”
He advised the Governor to desist from exhibiting what would undermine the rights of the citizenry by empowering the people in the state in the right way.
Similarly, the former Commissioner of
Information and Strategy, who is the Tambarin Kagara, Alhaji Umar Danladi Abdulhamid gas berated Governor Bago saying that he has violated the country’s constitution.
Abdulhamid advocated better ways of sharing public funds in more mature and organized ways
He however commended good gestures of any kind to the citizens especially the poorest of the poor who are disadvantaged,
Speaking against the backdrop of the video on social media showing the Governor throwing money to the Kagara people where many were injured in the process when he went for Sallah homage, he urged the people to desist from endangering their lives because of stipends sprayed around.
It was reliably gathered that no fewer than four people had fractures while scores sustained various degrees of injuries following the scramble when the Governor threw cash on them while driving around the the town.
Our Reporter gathered that the practice has been his attitude since he was sworn in on May 29, 2023, in which the Kagara episode is one among many which has also been kicked against by many Islamic clerics during their Friday sermons and preachings in the state.
Many are worried that while juicy contracts are allegedly commandeered by the Governor’s cronies outside the state peanuts are thrown on poverty-ridden Nigerlites causing nuisance and havoc on the streets and highways while on transit.
They therefore advised Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to find a more decent, mature and legal way of empowering the people through their unions and associations to ensure self-reliance and sustenance that will accord them respect, honour, integrity and appreciation as they offer their services effectively and efficiently to humanity in the state.
