‘Leadership must touch lives’: Kano Imam tasks leaders, lawmakers on campaign promises

Muhammad Bin Usman, Chief Imam of Sahaba Juma’at Mosque in Kano, has urged political leaders and lawmakers to fulfil their campaign promises, while commending Senator Suleiman Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila for projects and interventions presented at a public accountability gathering.

Bin Usman made the remarks on Sunday at a programme organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, Correspondents’ Chapel, in collaboration with the senator’s office, to review Kawu Sumaila’s 2023 campaign promises ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said democratic leadership should be measured by the extent to which public policies and campaign promises translate into tangible benefits for the people.

Reflecting on the projects presented at the event and their reported levels of completion, the cleric said Senator Kawu Sumaila’s performance, based on the evidence presented to him, deserved commendation.

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He, however, stressed that accountability and service delivery remained obligations for all elected officials, regardless of political affiliation.

“State obligation, in the light of what I have seen by the distinguished and eminent Senator Kawu Sumaila, I am touched in heart, and I am motivated,” Bin Usman said, stressing that political representation should be felt in the lives of the people being represented.

The Chief Imam identified security, food production, quality education, employment opportunities, healthcare, accessible leadership, transparency and good roads as some of the key responsibilities of government.

He described security as a fundamental requirement for national development and urged leaders to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.

Bin Usman also stressed the need to strengthen food production, improve educational standards, create employment opportunities for graduates and provide effective healthcare services.

According to him, expanding access to education without ensuring quality and creating employment opportunities would not adequately address the challenges facing young people.

On infrastructure, he criticised the condition of some roads, warning that dangerous sections could result in avoidable accidents and loss of lives.

He called on relevant authorities to prioritise the maintenance and rehabilitation of roads across the country.

The cleric further emphasised the importance of accessible leadership, urging elected representatives to remain available to their constituents and receptive to criticism.

He said public officials should be assessed based on their records and the extent to which they fulfil their commitments, rather than on political promises alone.

Bin Usman also raised concerns over drug abuse among young people, calling for stronger measures to curb the availability and distribution of illicit substances.

He questioned the scheduling of examinations in higher institutions during major Muslim Eid celebrations, urging relevant authorities to take religious observances into consideration when preparing academic calendars to avoid disadvantaging Muslim students.

On gender-related policies, the cleric expressed reservations about interpretations of gender equality that he said were inconsistent with Islamic teachings, particularly in relation to inheritance provisions.

Addressing insecurity and kidnapping, he called for stronger law enforcement and urged authorities to tackle criminal activities through lawful means, cautioning against taking the law into individual hands.

Despite his concerns over various national issues, Bin Usman maintained that the projects and interventions presented by Kawu Sumaila at the gathering showed evidence of performance, based on what was displayed and the reported level of completion.

He encouraged the senator to sustain the pace of delivery while urging other political leaders and lawmakers to demonstrate similar commitment to fulfilling their campaign promises.

The event was held under the theme of reviewing Senator Kawu Sumaila’s 2023 campaign commitments ahead of the 2027 general elections, providing an opportunity to examine the projects presented and discuss the responsibilities of elected representatives to their constituents.

The cleric concluded by praying for peace and stability in Nigeria and peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.