By Nworisa Michael
Honestly, I find Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s statement on the killing of Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu rather uncalled for. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a politician condemning the killing of a citizen, demanding an investigation and calling on the authorities to protect Nigerians whose political opinions may expose them to threats. Those are legitimate concerns. What I find unnecessary is the decision to turn a condolence message into another opportunity to campaign for an “incoming NDC Government.”
The moment the statement says that if the present authorities fail to act, the incoming NDC Government will investigate the matter and take the necessary steps, the focus shifts from the deceased and his grieving family to electoral politics. I honestly do not think every tragedy needs to become a political talking point. Sometimes, a political leader should be able to speak simply as a concerned Nigerian without immediately reminding us what his party will do when it comes to power.
I say this as someone who has previously criticised Senator Kwankwaso over what I considered an inadequate use of his national political stature at a time when insecurity was ravaging the North. I questioned then why a politician of his standing would not take every available national platform to speak more forcefully about the killings, kidnappings and suffering of ordinary Northerners. My position has not changed simply because the political environment has changed.
If we criticise the government of the day for politicising insecurity, opposition politicians should not make the same mistake whenever an opportunity presents itself. The death of Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu deserves justice, his family deserves compassion, and Nigerians deserve answers. Those demands do not need addition of an electoral promise to make them meaningful.
Whoever drafted this statement for Senator Kwankwaso did him no favour. In trying to score a political point, they weakened what could have been a powerful and dignified message of condolence.
Not every tragedy is a campaign opportunity. Sometimes, politics should simply step aside and allow grief, justice and humanity to speak.
Honestly, this practice should not be normalised.
Nworisa Michael is the coordinator of Inter-tribe Community Support Forum -ICSF and writes from Nworisamichael1917@gmail.com