- *. Describes Gov's Alleged Conduct As Dehumanisation And Mockery of Poor Niger Citizens
BZy Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Former Commissioner of Information and National Orienration in Niger state, Alhaji Umar Danladi Abdulhamid, has criticised, in strong terms, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for what he termed dehumanization of Nigerlites and making mockery of the bad situation of the common man by throwing bubdles of money at them.
The former Commissioner's reaction is coming against the backdrop of trending video clip showing the Governor throwing money at people during his recent visit to Kagara, which also led to the death of many and others sustaining various degrees of injuries as a result of the stampede.
Abdulhameed, describing the trending video as very unfortunate and wondered why the Governor's Special Advisers on Security and his Political Affairs counterpart could not advise him (Governor) on the implications of his actions.
While condemning the Governor's attitude perceived as degrading the masses because he has access to public funds, called for a review of immunity covering Governors, some of whom he said, have penchant for making themselves lords or masters over the citizens of their states instead of humbling themselves to work for the people who voted them into office.
Abdulhamid who decried the attitude of the Governor throwing money around said, "Maybe Bago is thinking that this is the only way to make himself popular as a sitting Governor, but this is wrong, he is treating people with disdain".
He challenged the Governor to watch his steps, adding that, "This is not what governance or leadership and service delivery is all about. Treat people with dignity, accord them respect and above all, he should have a listening ear as nobody is above the law".
Instead of investing on what will help the people to alleviate their sufferings as hunger and hardship bites harder, the former Commissioner said Governor Bago chose to mock the people by throwing money at few people in the most undignified way and they are hailing him.
Abdulhamid who berated Governor Bago for violating the Nigerian constitution therefore advocated for a better way of sharing public funds without necessarily reducing citizens to the status of mere beggars he (Governor) can throw crumbs at the poor masses to scamper for just because there is hunger and many people are dying as a result of that.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper Correspondent reports that Governor Bago is viewed as having penchant of showing off by this singular practice of throwing money at people since he was sworn-in as governor on the 29th of May, 2023.
While the Kagara episode is one among many of such incidents, many women lost their marriages, some had miscarriages as they scampered for days to pick monies being thrown at them by Bago in front of Government house.
While the dust raised by the controversy surrounding the distribution and sharing of palliatives is yet to settle, the approach adopted by Umar Bago to governance is said to have formed part of sermons by some Islamic clerics during Friday jumat service and preachings.
Many Nigerlites are seemingly getting worried that the leadership style of the Governor might leave the state more divided due to his alleged divide and rule strategy. NNL.
