‘Do Not Lie To Nigerians’ – Emir Of Katsina Challenges Tinubu Campaign Over Hardship In Nigeria

The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, has challenged the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, to speak the truth about Nigeria’s worsening condition.

According to the monarch, insecurity has prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands.

The monarch also condemned dishonesty in politics, urging political leaders to stop deceiving Nigerians and focus on addressing the hardship, insecurity and economic challenges affecting ordinary citizens.

Usman made the remarks when Yari visited his palace in Katsina State earlier this week.

The conversation was captured in a Hausa-language video.

Addressing the senator, the Emir stressed that political leadership comes with a responsibility to defend the interests of the people and ensure that those in positions of authority confront the problems facing the country.

“Director-General, you are now in a position of leadership. This is not just about this place; it concerns the entire country. We are all children of this nation, and we must stand for the truth,” he said.

The monarch urged Yari to communicate his concerns to other political leaders, insisting that public officeholders must demonstrate genuine concern for the welfare of Nigerians rather than concentrate on personal interests and political rivalries.

“I swear to God, unless you love people, help them and work with them, you cannot expect Allah to love you, stand by you and help you,” he added.

Usman maintained that politics should be driven by dialogue, persuasion and consultation rather than hostility, insults and attempts to destroy political opponents.

He told Yari that politicians must be willing to listen to different opinions and convince others through constructive engagement instead of treating disagreements as reasons for confrontation.

“Yes, politics, it must be about politics. What is politics? You convince me to accept your conviction,” the Emir said.

“You must be wise enough to listen to what I have to say or consider my point of view. That is politics. It is not fighting or condemning others.

“It is not about backbiting, envy or malice.”

The monarch argued that political leaders who enjoy public support must recognise their responsibility to the people and work towards improving their living conditions.

He said leadership should involve meaningful consultation and collective efforts to solve national problems rather than the pursuit of personal comfort, wealth and political advantage.

Usman also referred to religious teachings, noting that both the Holy Quran and the Bible encourage people to consider the interests of others instead of placing personal gains above the common good.

He lamented that these principles appeared to have been abandoned by some political actors, who he accused of focusing on condemning others, undermining their livelihoods and plotting against perceived enemies.

“It has been said, ‘Fellow citizens, we must come together, discuss matters and offer explanations. This is also about consultation.’ Even the Holy Quran and the Bible teach us that the best person among you is the one who puts the interests of others before his own,” he said.

The Emir questioned why political leaders continued to engage in conduct that deepened divisions and made it difficult for people to work together in the interest of the country.

“But that is no longer the case. Why?” he asked.

“Do not tell me that we are working together. It is said that God will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves. We have changed, but there seems to be nothing in our hearts except condemning others, destroying people, preventing them from earning a livelihood and plotting evil against them. Why? Why all this?”

He warned that people in positions of authority should not assume that they would escape the consequences of treating others unfairly.

“Whoever you are, I repeat, whoever you are, if you treat another person with contempt, I swear to God, you will eventually experience something you do not like,” the monarch said.

The Emir also cautioned Yari against dishonesty in political communication, insisting that politicians should not misrepresent events or make claims they know to be false to win public support.

While acknowledging that Islamic teachings recognise certain exceptional circumstances in which deception may be permitted, including efforts to reconcile people and prevent conflict, Usman argued that such exceptions should not be used to justify falsehood in ordinary political engagements.

“Come, let me explain something to you. There are circumstances in which lying is permissible: for example, to preserve harmony between a husband and his wife, or to reconcile people and prevent further conflict,” he said.

“Lying during warfare is also permitted in certain circumstances, such as using a strategic deception to mislead the enemy about the direction of an attack.

“These are among the circumstances in which it is permitted. But lying in this manner, when you come to me and claim something happened when you know it did not, is unacceptable. May Allah guide us to what is right, I swear to God.”

He maintained that truthfulness must remain a guiding principle for politicians and public officials, regardless of their political ambitions or affiliations.

“As for me, wherever I go, whenever I open my mouth, I speak the truth. I have said this based on the Holy Quran,” the Emir added.

Beyond his concerns about political dishonesty, the monarch expressed worry over the impact of insecurity on farming communities in northern Nigeria, warning that threats to farmers’ safety were affecting their ability to earn a living and contribute to food production.

He questioned why farmers were being prevented from carrying out their activities while political leaders continued to focus on political competition instead of addressing the problems confronting rural communities.

“Why are we drifting apart? Farmers have been prevented from carrying out their activities,” he said.

The Emir urged political leaders to confront these challenges and take practical steps to restore security, particularly in areas where threats have disrupted farming and other economic activities.

He also raised concerns about the decline of industrial establishments in Kaduna State, citing the DIC and Peugeot company as examples of businesses whose conditions, he argued, should worry political leaders and elders in the region.

“If you go to Kaduna, look at the DIC and the Peugeot company. Where are they now? They have all collapsed. Why?” he asked.

“And we have remained silent. Who are the elders?” he asked.

“We have to speak. We have to speak. We must stand up and take action.”

Usman called on traditional leaders, politicians and other influential figures to use their positions to demand solutions to insecurity, economic decline and the challenges preventing Nigerians from earning a living.

He maintained that leadership should be judged by its impact on people’s lives rather than the status, wealth or privileges enjoyed by those in power.

His remarks came as Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and senator, occupies a prominent position in the APC‘s preparations for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.