ASHENEWS reports that the Niger State government has made its first comment following weeks of criticism over alleged abuse of power and assault by the state governor, Mohammed Bago.
In early July, the governor came under intense disapproval for allegedly asking security personnel to slap an individual during the three-day prayers which followed the death of the wife of the deputy governor of the state.
A video of the event went viral, leading to many reactions from social media users.
However, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso in a statement issued on Tuesday, while brushing off the criticism described the attacks on the governor and his character as unfortunate and uncalled for.
“The continued attacks on the Governor’s character by some. media outlets over this issue are unfortunate and uncalled for, especially since the Governor’s actions were meant to curb the excesses of unruly individuals and prevent the Fidau prayer from being reduced to a mere spectacle or a child’s play,” the statement said.
Providing insight into the incident, the statement said that the Governor ordered security personnel to remove an individual who attempted to take over the spiritual duties of the Imams gathered at the Deputy Governor’s residence.
“The individual in question is a long-time follower of the Governor, who he knows personally and has empowered with different trades at different times but has continuously squandered the money and keeps coming back and on that day, get the Governor’s attention, he impersonated as an imam until the Governor found him out.”
“The state government did not wish to dignify the controversy currently being celebrated on social media and other platforms, especially during this period of mourning for the Deputy Governor’s loss, it has become imperative to do so as some media outfits seem to be using the incident week in week out to cause disaffection between the Governor and Muslims especially the Imams.
“The Governor considers the three days Fidau Prayers as a very sensitive and important event that should be presided over by an Imam or any renowned Islamic Scholar, not by an unqualified individual.
“The governor’s decision to ask the individual to leave the venue of the prayer is based on maintaining the sanctity and solemnity of the occasion.
“He found the act of the person not just as disrespectful to the dead and the reason for the gathering but also as insensitive which led to him requesting that he be taken out by the security agents.”
The statement further denied any form of assault on the individual in question.
According to the statement, “The individual involved not only denied being slapped by the security agents who ordered him out of the Deputy Governor’s residence in a video but has publicly apologized to the Imams and the Governor, acknowledging his overzealousness and inappropriate actions. He has shown remorse and requested forgiveness from both the Governor and the forum of Imams.”
The statement maintained that the narrative has been skewed towards controversy, overshadowing the young man’s sincere apology and the Governor’s rightful concern for maintaining the dignity of the event.
“The Governor’s actions were driven by respect for the deceased, the purpose of the gathering, and the need to preserve the sanctity of the Friday Prayer.”
