We want proper Sharia in Jigawa not politics
By Babandi Gumel
bagumel@btinternet.com
Many people consider Jigawa to be part and parcel of Kano despite the curving of the fromer out of the latter in 1991.
As they had been together since the creation of 12 states almost 40 years back in July 1967. .So Jigawa by nature was part of Kano, adopting the same kind of common policy with the sister state and sharing things together. In other words after the creation of the new state in 1991. This policy continued to be implemented and adopted even after the introduction of Sharia in the state.
The introduction of Sharia in Nigeria would not be complete without mentioning Governor Sani of Zamfara who would always be remembered for his foresight and initiative.
The governor who is due to complete his second and final term as governor in May this year would go in record as the one who introduced the system in his state before other states borrowed his legacy which would remain for generation to come.
Despite all criticisms mainly by the media and other anti-Sharia caucuses, Governor Sani would not be forgotten as he will go in history as the one who initiated and implemented this system first in Nigeria. The ummah appreciated his bold stance and steadfastness in the implementation of the Sharia system which others could not dare do. He faced the wrath of the federal government that unfortunately used the vice president to challenge the adoption of the system at that time as a fellow Muslim.
Anyhow Alhamdu Lillahi Governor Sani could not be cowed and he remained steadfast and went ahead to introduce the system in his state. Soon other states such as Niger followed Governor Sani unfortunately Kano under the then Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso could not be bold enough to introduce the system in the state despite agitations by various groups including the Ulama. After so much pressure he reluctantly introduced the system but the delay cost him his coveted position as governor in election battle with the incumbent Malam Ibrahim Shekarau in the year 2003.
The proper introduction of Sharia by Shekarau in Kano made him so popular not only in Kano but the whole federation where Sharia is being implemented. He gave priority to the formation of the Sharia apparatuses such as Hisbah and Zakkah Commissions that oversee the implementation of the system in the state.
In addition the Societal Reorientation Organisation known as A Daidaita Sahu was also incorporated into the system to help run the Sharia smoothly in the state.
Despite all these achievements the formation of Hisbah seen as vanguard of Sharia has caused controversy leading to the near disbanding of the group.
The Inspector General Police and the Minister of Information accused the Hisbah of acting like police force therefore announced the banning of the group. The matter ended up in the court with the state government taking the federal government to the court on the Hisbah ban. The Supreme Court would finally decide the future of the Hisbah group sometimes in March this year. In short Kano state struggled very hard to ensure Sharia is fully implemented and practiced in the state.
Unfortunately the Jigawa state which used to be part of Kano also introduced the same Sharia Code in the state although not fully implementing like sister state of Kano.
Like the previous Kwankwaso administration in Kano the present Jigawa government which introduced the system long ago has now apparently become what President Obasanjo used to describe as political Sharia which is fizzling. Unlike Kano, Jigawa is apparently not so serious about the divine laws for reasons best known to them which is why they are unfortunately reluctant to follow the example of Kano in fully implementing the system.
The Jigawa governor seen as inconsistent by changing from one party to another is not so keen or taken seriously Sharia wise unlike his Kano counterpart, Malam Shekarau who is becoming a model and champion of Sharia.
Fortunately or unfortunately the governor as chief executive is expected to show best example as all are followers of Sharia to the whole state. He should remain steadfast and consistent in all his undertakings. However changing from one party to another party gives bad impression and is not a good omen.
Although is not for anybody to judge but unlike Malam Shekarau who remains in his party consistently Governor Turaki of Jigawa unfortunately decided to leave the ANPP and decamped to the ruling party the PDP with all his commissioners and his deputy.
His deputy and the commissioners have no choice but to abide by the decision of their boss. As Deputy Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia was seen as the natural successor of the governor when he leaves office this year however unfortunately he was deprived of this chance that normally comes once in life.
Naturally as a human being ditched by his boss, Malam Ibrahim Hadejia had no alternative but to go back to his original party the ANPP with the intention of including the gubernatorial ticket under the platform of the party.
In view of continued political differences and squabbles so many influential people of the state have shown interest in this coveted position of Governor Saminu Turaki who is due to vacate the seat at the end of May this year .
They included the former foreign minister, Alhaji Sule Lamido and the one time minister of commerce in the Second Republic Senator Bello Maitama. The PDP ruling party unanimously endorsed the former foreign minister for his unflinching loyalty as their gubernatorial candidate come April this year.
Unfortunately the ANPP could not tentatively agree on one candidate as there were so many candidates including the former commerce minister and the present Deputy Governor, Barrister Hadejia who all wanted to clinch the party’s ticket.
In the end apparently the ticket goes to Hadejia however there are some other hurdles to cross. The problem generally facing Jigawa as commented by some insiders is the unfortunate love of power and Duniya with apparently no one interested or bothered about the Sharia despite all the rhetoric.
The state is yet to come out with credible candidate who would sincerely be willing to implement the laws of Allah without fear or favour. Most of the candidates are only busy trying to influence the people to support them for their own selfish material ends and not to be seen as serious implementers of the divine laws of Allah.
If one looks around carefully at the present moment there is no much difference between Jigawa and Plateau or Adamawa states where Sharia is not being implemented.
As Allah says He will not change condition of people until they change what is in their hearts. If we seriously want to see our state adopting proper Sharia we must go for those credible candidates who are seen as men who love and are serious about this Deen of ours.
We are sick and tired of those so-called leaders who look after their pockets and cronies instead of looking after the people. All we want see is the person who would be interested in the promotion of this Deen at the same time consistent and steadfast in the introduction of the system irrespective of whichever party he comes from.
As long as he is serious about the implementation of Sharia in Jigawa state we must vote for him. People should all come out en -masse to vote for that person irrespective which party he is in. Alhamdu Lillahi more than 95 per cent we can confidently say are mainly Muslims. So therefore it is necessary to be governed by Sharia by voting for the person who would fulfil such ambition.
The kind of person we need is the one who will be ready to sacrifice his desires for the wishes of Allah to ensure the laws of Allah are fully implemented and enacted in the state. Gone were the days when we used to go only for worldly enjoyment forgetting the Akhirat which is the purpose of our lives. So we must forget all politics as we know politicians are only interested in achieving their vested interest and not what Allah and His Prophet like.
This is why you find brothers do quarrel and squabble among themselves on trivial matters such as so and so is from so and so section therefore should not win our votes. It is high time the voters stopped all these unnecessary quarrels and squabbles that allow their leaders to dominate their affairsby becoming their masters and instead of serving them they serve their own desires because they are far away from Deen.
What brings about all this is luck of Deen and not been serious about the Devine Laws that we promised to introduce in the state. For our state to progress we must emulate and adopt the good qualities of those Sharia states that show sign of progress such as Kano our sister state which has excelled in the implementation of Sharia, under the able leadership of Malam Shekarau
Kano has now become the symbol of pride worthy of emulation by all Sharia states and even the non-Sharia states in the federation. So it is our collective duty and responsibility as Muslims and Jigawa state citizens at the same time part of the Ummah to ensure that our state also benefits from the Divine Laws commonly introduced in our country. Implementing Sharia is the best dividends among all the dividends of our nascent democracy. As Muslims we must utilise the chance given to us by electing pious persons to run the affairs of our state according to the wishes of Allah and his Prophet. We should endevour to elect only those who would seriously and sincerely see to the complete adoption and the implementation of Sharia in Jigawa like its sister state Kano which is a symbol of pride for all Muslims and all those who genuinely want see the devine laws enacted all over the world.
Therefore the implementation of proper Sharia in Jigawa state should be our ambition in the new Hijira 1428 that begins in this month. If you help Allah, Allah will help you.
Wa Akhiri Daawana Anil Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen.