History of negative character assassination in Kano politics that must be stopped by the relevant authorities

HISTORY OF NEGATIVE CHARACTER ASSASSINATION IN KANO POLITICS THAT MUST BE STOPPED BY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES

By: Muhammad Suleman Gama

What is currently happening in the name of negative political propaganda and character assassination has gone beyond acceptable limits and must be stopped to protect the image and integrity of our political community.

We presently have relevant laws and regulatory authorities that should address this damaging trend. However, the emergence of the free-social-media syndrome has made the situation increasingly difficult to control.

There is a clear difference between the nature of negative propaganda and character assassination during the First and Second Republics and what we are witnessing today. In the past, young people sometimes aligned themselves with hardened politicians and were influenced to act against the accepted traditions and values of society.

Let us review the periods of the PRP and NPN, particularly after the political divisions that emerged within the PRP. Some PRP youths aligned themselves with the late Abubakar Rimi and adopted a hardened political attitude, while the late Aminu Kano and his supporters represented another side of the political divide. At times, political differences even extended across generations, with fathers supporting Aminu Kano while their sons supported Rimi, resulting in intense political rivalry.

Unrefined political attacks and character assassination against opponents became particularly extreme within some youth circles, leaving little room for respect for senior citizens and elders, contrary to the traditional principles of our society.

The Rimi era, despite its political tensions and fierce disagreements, appears to have been more restrained than what we are witnessing today between youths and seniors. Today, there seems to be a shortage of respected elders willing and able to intervene and correct political excesses. Even religious intellectuals are not exempt from these attacks, leaving the political system increasingly vulnerable, particularly because of the actions of some misguided political leaders.

It is therefore unfair and irresponsible to accuse radio stations that operate within established broadcasting laws and regulations. The situation on social media is fundamentally different because almost anyone can speak from their bedroom and transmit information to audiences around the world without the same level of editorial oversight.

Political enlightenment programmes began with independent radio stations in Kano, operating within established laws and regulations and under the strict supervision of relevant authorities.

Radio stations work with professional editors and operate within established restrictions, while also being subject to monitoring and regulation by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The disturbing level of character assassination and unverified political attacks that we are witnessing on social media would generally not be allowed to pass through the editorial and regulatory processes applicable to conventional broadcasting.

Kano is a highly respected society with a long-standing tradition of political engagement, religious scholarship, and social values. We should not continue along this dangerous path. Relevant authorities, including media regulatory agencies and the Hisbah Board, should take appropriate and lawful steps to address the growing abuse of social media for political character assassination and the spread of harmful information.

We should not wait until these political disagreements cause lasting damage to our reputation, social cohesion, and respect for one another.

It is high time for the relevant authorities to act decisively, within the law, to restore responsibility and order in the use of social media and to curb the spread of negative and damaging political information that undermines the vital principles of our society.
Gama a veteran international radio broadcaster Write from Kano