Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto.

In a democracy, the voice of the people should NOT be silenced, especially when it
calls attention to the safety and dignity of the vulnerable. Yet in Sokoto, we find
ourselves facing a grim and troubling reality where this very principle is under vicious
attack. The recent arrest of a young woman, Hamdiyya Sidi, who bravely demanded
accountability from her Governor and Northern leaders, exposes a shameful and
oppressive mindset at the highest levels of leadership. She dared to ask the Governor
of her State, Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto, a simple question: if he and his family faced the
horrific violence that has befallen countless women across the North—women who
have been violated in unspeakable ways, sometimes in front of their families—would
he remain so indifferent? Instead of addressing her concerns, however, the police
proceeded to arrest and detain her, ostensibly for 'inciting unrest'; an act that cannot
and should not be tolerated. As we speak, after being released on bail, Hamdiyya was
ambushed by 'unknown persons', beaten up thoroughly, and left for dead.
In the conflict-ridden spaces of Northern Nigeria, women live under the constant
threat of violence — rape, kidnapping, and terror --- at the hands of armed groups.
The young woman who spoke up was not “criticizing the government” or "inciting
unrest"; she was merely calling attention to a humanitarian crisis, of which there are
countless victims, including members of her family and community. These atrocities
continue unabated under the gaze of our leaders, who have been elected to protect
their citizens. Instead of responding with empathy, action, support, or even basic
respect, the elected authorities in Sokoto chose to wield power and influence to
silence her.
Hamdiyya spoke for millions who live in fear, those whose pleas have been ignored
time and time again. Her arrest sends a chilling message: that in Sokoto, those in
power are more interested in suppressing dissent than in protecting their people. It
tells Northern women that their lives, their safety, and their voices are less important
than the comfort of those who hold office.
Why should a woman be detained and beaten up for speaking a painful truth? She did
not curse, she did not threaten, and she did not incite violence; she asked a simple
question. This cowardly response from the powers-that-be reeks of authoritarianism,
and signals a profound disrespect not only for her, but for all women who bear the brunt of this unchecked violence. If our leaders cannot tolerate questions from the
electorate, it is a clear sign of a decayed democracy.
Let us be clear; the North remains within a democracy. Leaders are elected to serve
their citizens, not to rule over or oppress them because they are vulnerable or weaker
than they are. When they fail to protect the very citizens they swore to defend, they
must expect to be questioned, and they should be prepared to answer with humility,
not handcuffs, detention and assault. Northern women deserve leaders who are
willing to stand up against the violence tearing communities apart, not leaders who
shield their eyes and plug their ears when the pleas for help become inconvenient.
The Governor of Sokoto, Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto, must immediately publicly denounce
the treatment accorded this courageous young lady, in recognition of his
responsibility and leadership role to protect his citizens. We expect him to support her
and also listen to her pleas for support, with a view to addressing them. His public
denouncement would send a message that the State values the lives and safety of its
women. Ignoring her pleas for her community, and indeed, the State at large only
deepens the wounds that violence has already inflicted on Northern Nigeria’s social
fabric.
In any just society, a woman has the right to speak out against the conditions that
threaten her life and dignity. Northern women deserve this right to speak out, without
fear of violence or retribution. Their demands should flow naturally as a right, not a
privilege. This is not just about one woman’s freedom but about the rights of all
Northern women who refuse to be silenced in the face of brutality.
Regrettably, this persecution of individuals, who speak up on the challenges being
faced in our country, is becoming commonplace. The Northern Governors need to
protect and support their suffering citizens while addressing the issues being raised,
rather than take offence at the emerging realities. The ruling party, the APC, which is
also Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto’s party, would do well to demand that the
Governor do well by his citizens. So too, the Inspector General of Police should call his
men to order, since it was the police who took it upon themselves to detain Hamdiya
for 'inciting arrest'; a young defenseless girl who merely expressed her empathy for
members of her community, demanding for succour.
Our Governors must be reminded of their responsibilities as leaders, even of
beleaguered, conflict-ridden spaces and communities within their jurisdictions. The
suffering is unbearable and the attacks unrelenting. We join Hamdiyya in pleading for
mercy and support for those afflicted by violence, death and destruction in their
jurisdictions. Our Governors must stand firm in the protection of the vulnerable. They  must not exacerbate the suffering by oppressing the weak who do not have the
wherewithal to protect themselves. As the saying goes in hausa, you cannot beat a
person and then stop him or her from crying!
When northern Nigerian women came out in their thousands to vote for our
Governors, it was because they believed they were electing empathetic leaders who
would work assiduously to improve security and the conditions of women and citizens
in our country. They certainly didn’t expect those they elected to become part of their
oppressors; authoritative abusers of the law who use the State apparatus unjustly to
cow citizens into silence. We call on everyone with any degree of influence on
Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto to get him to do the right thing by ensuring Hamdiyya,
who has done nothing wrong, is protected, supported and listened to. That would be
the first step towards addressing the suffering of the people.
Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto, it is time to listen, act, and allow Northern women to
breathe.
Voices for Inclusion and Equity (VIEW) is a North Central, North East, and North West
Nigeria coalition committed to fostering equitable, inclusive, and just societies for
women across the Nation. VIEW welcomes and salutes all other statements on this
matter geared towards ensuring redress and a culture of ethical behavior in public life.
▪ Asma'u Joda
▪ Saudatu Mahdi
▪ Maryam Uwais
▪ Aisha Oyebode
▪ Amina Salihu
▪ Mairo Mandara
▪ Kadaria Ahmed
▪ Fatima Akilu
▪ Rabi Jimeta
▪ Aisha Waziri Ibrahim