ZUL-QA’ADAH 16 1430 A.H.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER . 4 2009.
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Kano state electricity loan! Sallari reacts
By NASIRU MUHD.
RECENTLY, the political atmosphere was changed in Kano state when the state government sent a proposal to the state House of Assembly indicating its intention to borrow $40m so that it could establish its own electricity supply company.
The issue immediately set tongues wagging with people from different divides in the state commenting with some supporting the idea and others condemning it.
As it is expected of her to speak on issues that affect the state government and her party, the ANPP, Hajiya Safiya Aliyu Sallari, who is also the Special Assistant to Malam Ibrahim Shekarau on politics, has spoken on this matter too, in a chat with Daily Triumph.
Excerpts:
Daily Triumph: Kano state is a commercial centre, but majority of companies producing one form of commodity or the other have closed down due to lack of electricity supply, something that necessitated the state to set up its own electricity generation company, but that received opposition from members of the opposition parties. In your capacity as the Special Assistant to the state governor on politics, what comment do you have in this direction?
Hajiya Safiya: All praises be to Allah. May the peace of Allah be on Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his companions, members of his household and those who follow his teachings till the Day of Judgment.
We are of the view that whoever is thinking of what to leave as legacy to generations yet unborn will always do the right thing toward achieving that.
It is a public knowledge that the issue of electricity supply not only in Kano, but the whole of the nation, is getting worse with every passing day, but Governor Shekarau in his magnanimity, decided to take a giant stride to alleviate the suffering of the people of the state in that direction. Unfortunately, some people are trying to rubbish the good idea.
These people forget that the governor did not nurse the idea because of himself alone, but because of the teeming population in the state since God has endowed him with the means to buy a generator, like what some selfish leaders do.
I want to remind the people of Kano state that those who are opposing this government’s intention, are doing so to further worsen the situation as far as the issue of electricity is concerned.
This issue has further brought to light the personality of Malam Shekarau. As I always tell you, Malam Shekarau is a level headed leader. Malam is a tender- hearted leader. And he has all the important attributes a leader should have. For if he did not possess these attributes, he would have collected the loan without consulting anyone as did some past governments in the state. But Shekarau brought the issue before the state's House of Assembly so that it approves it.
Those who oppose Malam Shekarau’s idea, forget that by so doing they are further raising his status and helping to increase his love among the people of the state. An example is a recent happening when he returned from the stadium. People trooped out and cheer him, something that showed their approval of his policies. That is not done to ruthless and selfish leaders.
We always thank God for His various favours to us, because He Judges people by their heart and allow people of Kano to know the good personality of Malam Shekarau, who always relies on God and is not arrogant because of the position God has given him as a governor.
I heard some people saying they will institute a court case against the governor. We are not imploring them to withdraw their threat. Let them go ahead, because if they have those they bank on, we too have someone we are banking on. That one is God the Almighty.
Malam Shekarau had for the past 30 years wrote at the back of his seat that if you are going up, you should go along with those under you, because on your way coming down it is those below that will receive you. That is the personality he has been ever.
Dr. Shekarau has pleaded with us not to reply anyone accusing him on this issue (state electricity generation), we will like to assure anyone that attacks him that we will give him or her prompt and instant reprisal.
Malam, forgive me for answering your antagonists, because if you are not a just leader, we will not waste our time answering them. The people of Kano are enjoying your rulership. You hold humanbeing in high esteem without giving any regard to his or her position in life.
Daily Triumph: In his recent speech, Malam Shekarau has said that he had gathered all the state’s Assembly members and told them of his intention about this electricity project. What do you think made the PDP members in the Assembly to take the action they took, among which was walking out of the Assembly when the issue was tabled before them?
Hajiya Safiya: I want you to know that if one opposes anything you want to do no matter the advantages of that he will never accept it, but oppose it. Such a person may even call it black a white paper you present to him due to his antagonistic tendencies.
We pray that Malam Shekarau accepts our request to contest the 2011 presidential election. People of Nigeria will see a good leadership in him if he eventually emerges as the next president of Nigeria.
You know their party is of the habit of awarding fake contracts. Anyone who does not have the fear of God will collect money for that.
I remember in 2003 shortly after Malam took over as the governor of Kano state, many people were arrested in this regard.
There was one who was told to fear God and remember that one day he will die and was asked where and how he carried out certain project his company was alleged to have executed. He said there and then that he did not execute that project.
Malam's form of leadership is called ``Dalla-Dalla''. That is why we are not moved by their threat to go to court.
We want to assure our detractors that this project will come to pass whether they like it or not, if that is the wish of God, so also on our side if God wishes that it will not be, it will not. But we are fully aware that God will reward our good intention and will see us through.
We besiege you O` Allah to continue to guide and protect Malam Shekarau in his good intention to better the lives of Kano people and Nigerians as a whole.
Daily Triumph: On this electricity issue, you will hear members of the PDP saying that they oppose the collection of the loan because they don't want to inherit debt when their party takes over the governorship of the state come 2011. Don’t you think that they have something concrete at hand to achieve their aim?
Hajiya Safiya: Only God knows what will happen tomorrow. By that claim they make, they are trying to say they know the unseen.
My advise to them is to desist from delving into the unknown and things that only God can make.
I often say again and again that had Malam Shekarau not been a just leader, we will not follow him. I have my brother, my blood brother who is in another party. He once called me to join his party, but I told him to join the party of his choice and allow me to join mine.
We often pray to members of the PDP and other opposition parties to come and join our party, the ANPP. That is why they always troop to our party.
We don't care if their Malams or soothsoyers told them they would take over power from us. We on our side, we always seek for that from God, because He is the only One Who gives power to whoever He will at the time He wish.
I remember during a gathering in 2003 when aspirants from other political parties were promising people what they would do if elected as governors. What Shekarau said was he will improve education, health and so on. We thank God he has made a mark in those sectors.
As this juncture, I will like to advise the people of Kano who are literate to always thank God for providing us with a leader like Shekarau, despite claims by some people that nobody should rule Kano twice.
The governor has asked the Kano people, to pray for him to give him whatever is the best and what is the best for them too.
O` Allah allow the ANPP to rule Kano once again and Nigeria and allow whoever will be a just leader rule Nigeria regardless of his background. Be he a civil servant or a politician. And follow and abide by what the Glorious Qur'an and Hadith dictate.
MUHD is with the Triumph’s Political Desk
