From John Adams, Minna
Almost two weeks after a viral video showed Niger State Governor, Rt Hon Umaru Mohammed Bago, ordering security personnel to remove a man claiming to be an Imam during the Fidau prayer for the late wife of the Deputy Governor, the state government has clarified the incident.
The video, widely circulated on social media, captured the Governor instructing his security detail to remove the man during the Fidau prayer for the late Hajiya Zainab Yakubu at the Deputy Governor’s residence.
The video showed the Governor requesting a cleric to offer prayers. However, the man in question stood up and volunteered to lead the prayer instead, contrary to the Governor’s request for a cleric.
Governor Bago, seemingly angered by the man’s actions, ordered security agents to escort him from the premises.
However, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, issued a statement clarifying the incident, stating that the man was an impostor attempting to impersonate an Imam.
Wakaso explained that the man, upon realising the impropriety of his actions, apologised to the Governor and the forum of Imams for his misconduct. She emphasised that he was neither slapped nor arrested, contrary to public perception.
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“The attention of the Niger State Government has been drawn to an editorial in the Daily Trust Newspaper of 15th July 2024, titled ‘Bago: Let Temperance Reign’,” the statement read. “This editorial and many other reports not only misrepresented the incident that took place during the three-day Fidau prayers for the late wife of the Deputy Governor, but also presented some fictitious claims.”
“While the state government preferred not to engage in the controversy circulating on social media and other platforms, especially during the state’s mourning period, it has become necessary to set the record straight and correct the misconceptions about the Governor’s actions.”
Wakaso maintained that Governor Bago considered the three-day Fidau prayers a solemn and significant event that should be led by a qualified Imam or Islamic scholar, not an unqualified individual. “The Governor’s decision to ask the individual to leave was based on maintaining the sanctity and solemnity of the occasion,” she stated.
She added that the Governor found the man’s behaviour disrespectful to the deceased, the purpose of the gathering, and insensitive to the grieving family. This prompted his request for the security agents to escort the man out.
Wakaso expressed regret over the continued attacks on the Governor’s character by some media outlets, emphasising that his actions aimed to curb disorderly conduct and prevent the Fidau prayer from being trivialised.
The Special Adviser revealed that the man had been a supporter of the Governor, who had previously attempted to empower him on several occasions, dating back to his time in the House of Representatives. She attributed the man’s actions to overzealousness in trying to gain the Governor’s attention.
“The individual involved not only denied being slapped by the security agents but has publicly apologised to the Imams and the Governor, acknowledging his overzealous and inappropriate actions,” she said. “He has shown remorse and requested forgiveness.”
“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 Fidau Prayer,” Wakaso concluded.