By Kabir Wurma
Kebbi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has condemned the Kebbi State Government over cautioning clerics during Sallah celebration.
The condemnation was contained in a statement from the party’s Strategic and Communication Unit which was made available to newsmen yesterday in Birnin Kebbi.
Recall that Governor Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu has, during the Sallah homage by the Gwandu emirate, in his speech cautioned religious leaders against castigating Leaders.
According to the statement, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gwandu, Muhammad Iliyasu Bashar represented by the Wazirin Gwandu, raised some fundamental problems bedevilling Kebbi State, including the menace of the ever growing number of Almajirai and other Out of School Children, the worsening unemployment situation, and issues around Sanitation and beautification of the state capital, amongst others.
But, the Governor was recorded by his own media team making open threats to deal with any cleric whose activities are found to be critical of the present administration, without recourse to the constitutional provisions of fundamental freedoms of expression and association.
The statement further indicated that the decision to single out APC Members as preferred beneficiaries of the government’s incentives as clearly stated in his speech is not only undemocratic and illegal, but also negates the sanctity of the Oath of Office he has sworn and pledged to uphold (“… I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will …”).
PDP however reminded the governor
that the it holds the Office of the Executive Governor in high esteem, and equally respects the sanctity of that Office, being a 2-time Occupant of the exalted Office from 2007 to 2015. We, therefore, found the utterances contained in the video as demeaning, condescending, unstatesmanlike, and completely unbecoming of the holder of the office of Executive Governor.
It however noted that, PDP is not in support of any libelous and unguarded utterances from either it’s members or teeming supporters across the state, but it must be stressed here and now that no one should be gagged or denied his or her fundamental freedoms of expressions, association or political leaning.
His Excellency’s open reference to the National leadership of an Islamic Movement supporting his leadership does not in any way preclude others from the state from similarly exercising their own guaranteed rights to belong or associate themselves with any other political party or candidates of their choice.
It called on the religious leaders and clerics in the state to effectively discharge their spiritual responsibility of preaching against evil and upholding righteousness in the society. We will continue to cherish and commend their tremendous contributions towards inculcating morality and values for the betterment of our challenges.
