By Adamu Mai-bödi
We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people. – Martin Luther king Jr.
Dauda Kahutu Rarara, a popular Hausa musician and a staunch Buhari popularizer has come up with a fraudulent scheme. He is duping Hausa speaking Nigerians of N1,000 per donor.
The singer cum con-artist swindles the targeted population in what he coined as Buhari Popularity Test in which the true Buharists are supposed to put the naysayers to shame by collectively sponsoring his new song in praise of the President.
Despite the nonstop outcry about harsh economic situation, thousands of Northerners have proudly fallen victims of this fraud. Some online bloggers alleged that Rarara garnered about N50 million in 48 hours. The victims consider this as another chance to register their unalloyed loyalty to President Buhari, to whom they once raised funds and elected twice into the Aso-rock Villa.
Sadly, the president chooses to remain silent, thereby allowing the dubious singer to keep extorting his diehard apologists.
Our propensity to keep silent in the presence of abnormalities has brought us to where we are in Nigeria today. The President should not allow Rarara to ride on his popularity and gyp Nigerians of their hard-earned money, while smiling to his bank account. Buharis silence is not golden in this regard. It is nothing but a sign of approval, which is unpresidential and will definitely pave way for the emergence of many other swindlers.
To reciprocate the goodwill he enjoys from the flock of his Northern followers, Mr. President should unambiguously distance himself from this fraudulent scheme and warn the perpetrators against using his name to enrich themselves to the detriment of Nigerians, especially his ardent supporters.
Arewa people should take a deep breath and ask themselves; what value would the proposed song add to their wellbeing or to the Buhari administration, would it stop the killings, the banditry, the kidnappings, the communal clashes or would it bring succor to the Internally Displaced Persons across the region? I believe the answer would turn out negative.
Adamu Bello Mai-bödi writes from Gidado Bombiyo residence, K/kaji Azare.
