Is Al Mustafa Nigeria’s Answer To Burkina Faso’s Traore?

By Abdu Labaran Malumfashi

My position is not influenced by any generational considerations. The youths have not allowed us, the older ones, to monopolise corruption in Nigeria, as evidenced by the presence of many of them in government over the recent years, particularly recently.

In the present regime, the youths have proved that given the chance, they can also be as trusted as the fox, ‘who never so tamed and so cherished, shall always have the wild tricks of its ancestors’ (the oldies), (apologies to James Hardley Chase) who titled one of his books so.

I unhappily observed in a previous article that majority of Nigerians ‘have the Tinubu syndrome’ (disease).

By the way, ours is not the only country where oldies are in control. President Tinubu and his African age mates can therefore relax, since countries like the US (so-called bastion of representative democracy), China, India (reputed to be world’s largest democracy) and Russia, to name but a few, have (gerontocrats) as their leaders, some of whom are also ‘sit-tighters’.

But their countries are among the most advanced in the world, where such matters as electricity are taken for granted. And service is mostly for the people, not self. In some of those countries, to serve self by way of pilfering from the public coffers, is tantamount to signing one’s death warrant.

But not so in Nigeria, where service is to self, as a result of which corruption persists in the land. Electricity is considered a luxury, which is enjoyed only by the rich, and the high up in government who enjoy the service free. Such people include the Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo, who is purposely assigned to make money for his principal and himself. This conclusion is arrived at on account of the ‘palace’ he built in just two years of being in office, in preparation for his gubernatorial coronation in 2027.

The ‘darkness’ minister is not alone in perpetrating the gargantuan corruption that has become the trademark of the President Tinubu regime. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, is alleged to have bought mansions in Western countries from his $billions share of the rackets he has been engaged in since becoming minister.

And under the supervision of the Works Minister, David Umahi, the Tinubu regime achieved the impossible feat of turning a 46-kilometre road into a 156-kilometre one, when it gleefully told the world that the North is not left behind in its projects. The federal government claimed to have constructed the ‘156-kilometre’ road from Zaria to Hunkuyi, for the information of the world.

Hamza Al Mustapha has a consuming and infectious passion for Nigeria, the like of which is not exhibited by any other person who has declared an intention to govern the country. He also regrets how backward the country remains despite its potentials.

He has convinced many, including yours sincerely, that the country possesses enough raw materials and population, which, if properly developed for the good of all, Nigeria will be among the most important nations in the world.

Also, he once had the opportunity to amass wealth from the public, but like his boss or the immediate past president, he did not. Anyone who has the proof that I have completely misplaced my trust in him, is free to prove me wrong.

By the way, this is certainly not a campaign, but a vote of confidence for him, as the national election umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has not blown the whistle for all to start campaigning for 2027 yet.

My ‘love’ for him has not always been so, as stated in a previous article I have written elsewhere about him on 26/6/2025, with the title, ‘Is Hamza Al Mustapha Nigeria’s Answer To Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traore?’

“Although my tone may have sounded like I am campaigning for Al Mustapha, the truth of the matter is that I am not. I do not know him from Adam, nor does he me. All I know about Major Hamza Al Mustapha is his alleged exploits when he served as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of a former Military Head of State, and what he says in, and what, the social media says about him.

“I am simply ‘revisiting’ him because of the recent endorsement he received from former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. The ringing vote of confidence he got from the former Military leader, means that other powerful former and serving military personnel are supporting him too.

“As someone who is very passionate about my country Nigeria, I wrote several articles about the suitability of Al Mustapha for the leadership of the country. In one of such articles, I expressed the opinion that he was the person that Nigeria needed as President in 2027.

“To me, he spoke candidly, with the knowledge of his religion and the fear of God in his voice during his many radio and television interviews on the way forward for Nigeria. He always came out as someone who had an extensive knowledge of the problems of the country. And I found out that our common concern for the good of the whole country, should have made me like, instead of dislike, him.

“In many of his talks about Nigeria, he always spoke about the mineral wealth which the country is abundantly blessed with, but which the leadership would rather have for its selfish use alone, instead of using, or allowing it to be used, for the good of all of the citizens.

“It is his belief that the highly important Ajaokuta Steel Development Project, initiated by the Alhaji Shehu Shagari (late) administration in 1981, was deliberately hindered from completion by the Western powers with the conivance of some unpatriotic locals.

“Al Mustafa is the person Nigeria needs as President in 2027. The situation is that bad for the country, and an intrepid, sincere and fearless saviour is needed to put back things in order.

By the way, in the event that you (Hamza Al-Mustapha) emerge the President of Nigeria in 2027, or any other time, it is imperative that you welcome the religious clerics wherever they visit you. But do not ever give them a monetary parting gift. If however, you feel compelled to do so, then do it from your personal money, not from the money belonging to the public.

The men of God, whether the flowing-gown and long-bearded types, or the coat-wearing and miracle-performing variety, can offer all the prayers they can, but should never expect payments at the end, if the service was actually offered for the sake of God. Your mandate is to ‘fix’ Nigeria, not to pamper some citizens, while the majority are not treated in like manner.

Some of these so-called people of God are so only in mouth, but at heart, they are part of the nation’s myriads of problems, because many of them are sycophants, who speak only what the leader wants to hear, not the truth. Many of the leaders in the country abhor being told the truth. The clerics also do not walk their talk. In other words, they do not practice what they preach. They advise their flocks to do one thing, but do the exact opposite.

May God provide Nigeria with the best leader and helpers, who will guide the country with an uncommon fear of Him in their hearts. Presently, there is nothing such as that in the heart of many of the country’s ‘elected’ and unelected leaders.

Malumfashi writes from Katsina