In the past week, the Facebook social media space was theatrically disrupted by a sensationalist article titled: “Katsina Bleeds While Its Leaders Feast!” An article with such an emotionally charged title presents a classic case of opinion imbalance, where two loaded terms—bleed and feast—are deliberately juxtaposed to provoke public outrage.
This is contained in an article by Mannir Shehu Wurma of Kurfi local government.
Responding to such a baseless diatribe does not require listing the many laudable achievements of this administration in just two years.
Why? Because even the most vocal critics of Governor Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda are fully aware that his administration has not only prioritized the security of lives and properties, but has also spearheaded infrastructural development across the length and breadth of Katsina State—surpassing expectations in many sectors.
From the outset, it is clear that the framers of that piece were driven by mischief. And you know what? Mischief-makers are often the most unreasonable people you can engage in any form of rational argument—they neither yield to superior logic nor acknowledge verifiable facts.
To every discerning mind, one wonders: What exactly does the president’s visit to Katsina have to do with the insinuation that leaders were “feasting” while the state “bled”? The president’s visit was a testament to his deep concern for the security and welfare of the people. It was a strategic opportunity to share in our challenges and work toward collective solutions. Indeed, Katsina is the first state the president officially visited since assuming office—a strong indication of its importance in the national agenda.
Did the authors of the article care to acknowledge that, as a result of that visit, Katsina State was able to formally present some long-neglected grievances and secure presidential commitment on critical development projects? Clearly, the article was not motivated by a desire for constructive criticism but rather by a desperate attempt at political relevance. Since they could not fault the governor’s performance, they resorted to personal attacks and shallow narratives.
Why should anyone imply that a leader is “feasting” while his people are “bleeding”? Such a question, if sincerely posed, deserves a sincere answer. The governor has shown time and again that the people of Katsina are his foremost priority. If the authors of that article hoped to turn the people against him, they have failed.
How could the people reject a governor who is reclaiming and revitalizing urban infrastructure through massive development projects? Or a leader who is revolutionizing agriculture and livestock production, making it a viable and profitable economic base for the state’s citizens? How can one ignore the countless youth empowerment programs, small and medium-scale business initiatives, and educational reforms spearheaded by this administration?
Even those who oppose the governor on political grounds must, when honest, acknowledge the visible progress under his leadership.
And perhaps, just perhaps, the article was referring to the wedding ceremony of the governor’s daughter? If so, then one need look no further for an example of sheer pettiness. Are we now to assume that a governor must not carry out familial responsibilities because he holds public office? Was the ceremony extravagant by any objective standard? Certainly not. And no evidence has been presented to support such a claim.
To conclude, this rejoinder is unapologetically directed at the misleading article titled “Katsina Bleeds While Its Leaders Feast.” The facts are clear: Katsina is not bleeding while its leaders feast. Instead, Katsina is developing—steadily, surely—while its detractors whimper.