4-2-2025.

In a very recent statement, the Arewa Youth Forum claimed that the former Governor of Katsina State, Right Honourable Aminu Bello Masari had “claimed he would not contest or accept any appointment again. Yet, he is now the Chairman of the TETFund Commission, and three of his sons have been absorbed into the Tinubu administration”.

Well, I really do not know whether there has been a reply or not. But if it was replied, as I am sure the former governor has more competent hands to handle such unfounded allegation, then my belated intervention should be taken as an addition to the rejoinder to the forum.

But before I delve into responding to this patently false statement, let me know the signatory, because there was none on the shared document. 

Yes, it is true that Aminu Bello Masari is the Chairman of the Board of TETFund, but has never said that he would not accept further appointments. What he severally stated  unambiguously was that, he would “never contest for an ELECTIVE office again”. I challenge anyone to bring any evidence to the contrary. 

The Arewa Unity Forum, which appears to me more like a collection of political opportunists, also claimed to be “shocked and disappointed by Masari's sudden change of heart, given his previous statements during the 2023 elections. This is a clear case of hypocrisy, and we cannot let Masari's deceitful comments go unchallenged. His actions are a betrayal of the trust and confidence the people of the Northern Region had in him. 

“The Arewa Unity Forum urges the people of the Northern Region to see through Masari's facade and not be fooled by his words. We must stand up against such hypocrisy and demand accountability from our leaders. Let us not be swayed by Masari's attempt to justify his actions. 

“Instead, let us focus on promoting the welfare and interests of the people of the Northern Region, rather than serving the selfish interests of a few individuals”.

Apart from forlorn and vague statements like this one, what other efforts or contributions has the forum made to advance the interest of the “Northern Region”? I cannot remember reading any, as a matter of fact.

Besides, if the members of this ambiguous group would pause a little from their frantic effort to justify their pay check, and satisfy their paymaster or pay masters, they would know that a Northerner of high standing, who could look at anybody and say a clear ‘no’ when the need arises, is what genuine supporters of the Northern region would want at this material time, when the area is left far away behind in Western Education.

By the way, it may interest the forum to know that I am not by any stretch of the imagination a supporter of the corrupt and clueless government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I might have been so in the not so distant past, but certainly not anymore. I happen not to be the only one who started supporting the president, but ABANDON him upon realising that he has only his interest and that of his immediate family at heart, but not the interest of the larger percentage of Nigerians.

By the way, I am not speaking for Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, or on behalf of his children, but just telling the truth about the statement he made. Besides, let me repeat what I have always been saying, ‘I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A JOB FROM ANYBODY OR FROM ANY QUARTERS’. What little God gives me is very much sufficient.

May God continue to make us contented with what we legitimately have from Him, not what others will give us in the mistaken belief that we defended them because of what we will get afterwards. No, it was simply the truth that we humbly defended.

Malumfashi wrote from Katsina.