In what appears to be an exhibition of the State of affairs in the country, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, has challenged the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, to speak the truth about Nigeria’s worsening condition.
Speaking when Senator Yari visited his palace in Katsina, the Emir made it clear that insecurity has prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands.
“Why are we drifting apart? Farmers have been prevented from carrying out their activities,” he lamented.
Alhaji Usman who spoke in Hausa while lambasting the dishonesty among the political class, charged political leaders to desist from deceiving Nigerians and focus on addressing the hardship, insecurity and economic challenges affecting ordinary citizens.
The Emir stressed that political leadership comes with a responsibility to defend the interests of the people and ensure that those in positions of authority confront the problems facing the country.
“Director-General, you are now in a position of leadership. This is not just about this place; it concerns the entire country. We are all children of this nation, and we must stand for the truth,” he pointed out.
The Emir, therefore, told Yari to communicate his concerns to other political leaders, insisting that public office holders must demonstrate genuine concern for the welfare of Nigerians rather than concentrate on personal interests and political rivalries.
“I swear to God, unless you love people, help them and work with them, you cannot expect Allah to love you, stand by you and help you,” the Emir emphasized.
The Monarch also cautioned Yari against dishonesty in political communication, insisting that politicians should not misrepresent events or make claims they know to be false to win public support.
According to him, politics should be driven by dialogue, persuasion and consultation rather than hostility, insults and attempts to destroy political opponents.
He reminded politicians that they must be willing to listen to different opinions and convince others through constructive engagement instead of treating disagreements as reasons for confrontation.
While acknowledging that leadership should involve meaningful consultation and collective efforts to solve national problems, Emir Usman pointed out that religious teachings, from both the Holy Quran and the Bible encourage people to consider the interests of others instead of placing personal gains above the common good.
The Emir lamented that these principles appeared to have been abandoned by some political actors, who he accused of focusing on condemning others, undermining their livelihoods and plotting against perceived enemies.
“It has been said, ‘Fellow citizens, we must come together, discuss matters and offer explanations. This is also about consultation.’ Even the Holy Quran and the Bible teach us that the best person among you is the one who puts the interests of others before his own,” the Emir noted.
He used the forum to warn people in positions of authority not to assume that they would escape the consequences of treating others unfairly.
“Whoever you are, I repeat, whoever you are, if you treat another person with contempt, I swear to God, you will eventually experience something you do not like,” the monarch stated.
Lamenting further on decline of industrial establishments in Kaduna State, citing the DIC and Peugeot company as examples, Emir Usman said, “If you go to Kaduna, look at the DIC and the Peugeot company. Where are they now? They have all collapsed. Why?”
“And we have remained silent. Who are the elders?
“We have to speak. We have to speak. We must stand up and take action.”
The Reverred Monarch therefore called on traditional leaders, politicians and other influential figures to use their positions to demand solutions to insecurity, economic decline and the challenges preventing Nigerians from earning a living.
