BAWA BWARI'S LATEST GAFFE

Click for Full Image Size
NIGER STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBER, BAWA BWARI

I can remember that my late father used to enjoin me to respect leaders and politicians whose actions and speeches generally earn them the respect of the wider community.

He was however firm in insisting that these must be leaders and politicians who when they speak, they were believable and the wider community broadly trusts them.

Sometimes I used to wonder if he were still living to help me draw a comparison with our recent leaders and the lot we have as immediate options that are no more than what the American would call, a motley crew.

It doesn't matter which side of politics you favour – as for me, I don't trust most of them. I find it difficult to trust them because, over the past thirteen years or so, in broad terms, politicians have forgotten about the everyday people of this country and are more guided by their political focus groups and other influencing factors.

Specifically, most of those in power have their personal shortcomings with regards to the handling of their respective areas of authority but those I find most dangerous are are the class of those that say they are in the opposition and waiting to take over from the present set of leaders.

I honestly wouldn't want to stake my fate in any of the cackling, foot-in-mouth set of alternatives presently hanging in the wings waiting to become this or that in most states.

Particularly frightening is the chance that in my state, Niger, a one-time House of Representatives member, Bawa Bwari - I understand, is considering standing for the state governorship at the end of the present administration. Boy, can you imagine that?

I've looked over our current list of politicians waiting to seek to succeed as governors and I'm very disappointed with the upcoming mob especially when their individual utterances are considered- No wonder there is no confidence in politics today.

It is really agonizing for one to have to live the thought that among that list includes Mr Bwari whose latest gaffe stands him out as one yet to come to grips with the necessity of forging a religious harmony in these tumultuous times.

While the people of Niger State are at present estranged in a wave of religiously induced disharmony, Bwari on the other hand does not see the imperative of the state government moving to stimulate understanding and sense of belonging.

In a recent sponsored article in an online media tunnel owned by his known accomplice, Bwari insinuated that it was wrong for the Niger government under Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu to vote out N2.4bn for the construction of a state mosque and Christian place of worship.


Bwari and his online media friend described as bizarre the government’s move to contemplate such moves even if they enhance religious tolerance.

Apart from these two, most people in Niger state rather applaud the governor’s foresight when it was revealed that he was sharing the amount for the two places of worship almost equally.

By the proposal, each of the worship centres will cost a little over N1.2 billion, and are to be handed over to Christian and Muslim leaders after completion for management.

This is in addition to the fact that the Niger State government had earlier taken over the completion of the Tunga Jumat Mosque and the First ECWA Church Minna which were abandoned for over 20 years.

I find it panicky for any one even an atheist not less someone who dreams of leading me as governor, to find fault with this plan.

And perhaps this explains why Bawa Bwari is on his own in his opposition to what is generally seen as noble

Written By Tijjani Ndatsu Tunga

Disclaimer: "The views expressed on this site are those of the contributors or columnists, and do not necessarily reflect TheNigerianVoice’s position. TheNigerianVoice will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements in the contributions or columns here."

Articles by thewillnigeria.com