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Friday Sermon: O Politicians, Indeed There’s Goodness In Dialogue And Debating In The Best Manner!

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By Imam Murtadha Gusau

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation—may He extol the Messenger in the highest company of Angels and send His peace and blessings upon him—likewise upon his family, Companions, and true followers.

Dear brothers and sisters! Thanks be to Allah the Almighty, as two warring parties, Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara State, and Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, have expressed their readiness to work together to fight insecurity in their state.

Governor Dauda Lawal and Muhammad Bello Matawalle, also a former governor of Zamfara, spoke on Wednesday after a two-day roundtable meeting on insecurity in northern Nigeria organised by the Coalition of Northern Groups.

Bello Matawalle served as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.

He lost his re-election bid in the last elections to Dauda Lawal, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While speaking with reporters, the governor of Zamfara State said it is time to keep politics aside and come together with his predecessor for the development of the state.

On his part, Bello Matawalle said he would work with his successor to fight insecurity in Zamfara.

He said his portfolio as a defence minister would go a long way in helping to improve the security situation in the state.

Also in Kano State politics, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has kick-started moves to reconcile the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Multiple sources reported that the president has communicated his intention to both leaders separately and has given them some time to inform their stakeholders of his intention, and return at a later date to finalise the reconciliation process.

President Tinubu met with Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and some select APC stakeholders from Kano State last week Thursday, and met with Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso on Sunday, just as he plans to personally chair a reconciliation meeting where the two former governors of Kano State are expected to come with two persons each.  Sources close to Abdullahi Umar Ganduje confirmed that the president had asked the APC leader to meet with APC stakeholders in Kano on Thursday (yesterday), and commence the process of solidifying the unity of purpose amongst them.

Dear brothers and sisters! In the darkest of nights, even the full moon goes missing. And amid the turbulence of trials and disagreements that surge like waves of the ocean, along with everyone’s admiration of their own opinion, the wise person searches for a glimmer of light to illuminate the way, or for a lifeline to save them from the turbulence of a deep sea engulfed by waves upon waves, over which are cyclones and whirlwinds that leave even the wise bewildered.

Nowadays, we live in a time whereby the channels of information have increased and reached such rapid rates that people wake up to new developments, and end their days with new developments. To the point that sometimes, searching for the truth is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Herein, lies the challenge. And the consequences are dangerous.

And the approaches of yesterday may not be as effective as they once were, due to the tyranny of distractions and the weakening of moral restraint.

This makes discussion and debating in the best manner the best approach especially in the spheres of advising, guiding, upbringing, criticising, and disputing.

From this standpoint, we passionately highlight the need for prevailing in the principles of dialoguing and debating in the best manner, in all matters of life, as our true religion taught us. Our guide in this is the Book of our Lord and the Sunnah of our Prophet (Peace be upon him). Dialogue is a refined approach and an ideal means to reach goals with soundness, tranquility, politeness, and effectiveness.

Respected servants of Allah! Dialogue, is the exchange of talking between two or more people, intended to prove an argument, establish a right, refute a doubt, or dispel falsehood in speech, action, or belief. It is a significant method in the Qur’an and Sunnah. The Qur’an contains dozens of verses that include the concept of dialogue. And the pure Sunnah is full of this style, emanating from the Prophetic character aimed at guiding people, caring for them, and being merciful to them. As Allah the Almighty says:

“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.” [Qur’an, 9:128]

Dialogue in our noble religion is distinguished for its applicability in all aspects of life, starting from matters of creed, leadership, to the upbringing of children. An example from the domain of creed is the dialogue that each Prophet had with his people, dialoguing with them in the best manner, hoping to guide them to the straight path of Allah. Adiy Ibn Hatim, who was initially a Christian, entered upon the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and heard him reciting the verse of Allah:

“They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. [Qur’an, 9: 31] Adiy said, “We do not worship them.” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied: As for them, they did not worship them, but when they made something lawful for them, they considered it lawful, and when they made something unlawful for them, they considered it unlawful.” [Sahih At-Tirmithi]

Respected servants of Allah! This is an example of the Prophet’s dialogue in matters of creed, to serve as a beacon for every Muslim, eager to guide others, to follow the guidance of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Allah the Exalted says:

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” [Qur’an, 33: 21]

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Dear brothers and sisters! Indeed, engaging in wholesome and constructive dialogue is the best way to reach the truth and certainty for those who have a heart or lend an ear while being attentive.

When lust takes control of a person’s heart, and their heart longs for sin, mere reproach, rebuke and reprimand, far from the approach of constructive dialogue, are unlikely to uproot the lure of indulging in desires. This is where the true benefits of dialogue lie.

A young man once came to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and said:

“O Messenger of Allah, grant me permission to commit adultery. The people around him reprimanded him, saying, “Woe to you.” But the Prophet said, “Bring him closer.” So the young man came close and sat down. The Prophet asked him, “Would you like it for your mother?” He replied, “No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you.” The Prophet said, “Nor do people like it for their mothers.” He asked, “Would you like it for your daughter?” He replied, “No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you.” The Prophet asked him, “Would you like it for your sister?” He replied, “No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you.” The Prophet said, “Nor do people like it for their sisters.” The Prophet asked him, “Would you like it for your paternal aunts?” He replied, “No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you.” The Prophet said, “Nor do people like it for their paternal aunts.” The Prophet asked him, “Would you like it for your maternal aunts?” He replied, “No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you.” The Prophet said, “Nor do people like it for their maternal aunts.” Then the Prophet placed his hand on the young man and supplicated, “O Allah, forgive his sin, purify his heart, and guard his chastity.” After that, the young man never turned to anything sinful.” [Ahmad]

This is the essence of dialogue and its impact in clarifying matters and removing doubts, and extinguishing the blind flames of lust and desire.

Dialogue is also crucial in removing the cloud of suspicion and doubt that leads to falsely questioning motivations and honour. A Bedouin came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said:

“My wife has given birth to a dark-complexioned boy, and I have disowned him. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said to him, ‘Do you have camels?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet asked, ‘What colour are they?’ He said, ‘Red.’ The Prophet asked, ‘Is there any grey in them?’ He said, ‘Indeed, there is some grey.’ The Prophet said, ‘How do you think that came about?’ The man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, perhaps it is a strain [in their lineage].’ The Prophet said, And perhaps this [boy] has a strain [like that],’ and he did not permit him to disown the child.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

This dialogue removed the man’s suspicions and ill thoughts towards his wife, thereby cutting the roots of doubt and closing the door to family discord or marital problems. How great is the impact of dialogue when someone is skilled, calm, purposeful, driven by sincerity and the pursuit of truth and far from slandering and quarreling.

In the realm of raising children, dialogue has a more profound impact than mere instruction or forced imposition. Once, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw Al-Hasan Bin Ali – may Allah be pleased with them – putting a date from the charity dates in his mouth. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

Kakh’ (an expression of disapproval). ‘Kakh’ (an expression of disapproval), leave it. Do you not know that we do not eat (what is given in) charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Indeed upbringing coupled with explaining the rationale and wisdom is superior to upbringing devoid of it. And if mere prohibition was sufficient in upbringing, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) would have sufficed with saying ‘Kakh’ (an expression of disapproval). However, adding some dialogue with reasoning instilled the correct understanding, rather than imposing it without the slightest explanation.

Fellow servants of Allah! Any society that cultivates proficiency in conveying ideas convincingly through dialogue and transparency and debating in the best manner and not in the roughest fashion, will convey ideas with clarity and understanding and without arrogance. If the outcome is not as desired, at least the evidence was established, and one’s duty is fulfilled, echoing the believer’s sentiment in the Qur’an:

“So you will remember what I [now] say to you, and I entrust my affair to Allah. Indeed, Allah is Seeing of [His] servants.” [Qur’an, 40: 44]

We ask Allah Almighty to enlighten our hearts with Iman (faith) and bless us with wisdom to convey the truth in the best manner. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Answering.

I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:

Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” [Qur’an, 33: 56]

O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.

O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good.

Dear servants of Allah! Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He

He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.

Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favours – He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true and sincere followers.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.

This Friday sermon (Jumu’ah Khutbah) was prepared for delivery today Friday, 14 Rajab, 1445 AH (January 26, 2024).

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50 Years After Murtala Muhammed: Between the Ghost of Coups and the Crisis of Democracy

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February 13, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa & Abbas Yushau Yusuf

February 13 marks exactly 50 years since General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was assassinated in a failed coup attempt that shook Nigeria to its core. His death on that Friday morning in 1976 was not merely the killing of a Head of State; it was a brutal reminder of how fragile political power can be when the barrel of a gun becomes the pathway to leadership.

Half a century later, Nigeria stands under democratic rule, yet the memory of coups still lingers like a warning siren in the nation’s political subconscious.

Muhammed himself came to power through a military coup in 1975, toppling General Yakubu Gowon. His own assassination less than seven months later, during an abortive coup led by dissident officers, reinforced the inherent instability of governance born out of force. Coups promise swift correction, but they often deliver cycles of uncertainty, repression and further violence.

The danger of military coups to democracy is not theoretical; it is historical fact. Military regimes centralise authority, suspend constitutional order and weaken civilian institutions. Even when they promise reform, they operate outside the consent of the governed. The culture they breed — command-and-control politics — can outlive their uniforms, seeping into civilian administrations long after soldiers return to the barracks.

Nigeria’s post-independence history reads like a ledger of interrupted transitions: 1966, 1975, 1983, 1985, 1993. Each intervention reset the political clock but deepened structural fragilities. Civil institutions were stunted. Political parties became vehicles of patronage rather than ideology. Trust between citizens and the state eroded.

Today, the guns are silent, and ballots have replaced bullets as instruments of power. Yet the shadow of military interruption remains instructive, especially at a time when frustration with democratic governance is rising across the country.

The uncomfortable truth is that democracy, while intact procedurally, is struggling substantively. Elections are held regularly, but economic hardship persists. Institutions exist, but public confidence in them is thin. The Constitution guarantees rights, yet citizens often feel unheard in matters of security, employment and welfare.

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This disconnect between democratic form and democratic outcome creates a dangerous vacuum. When people begin to question whether democracy delivers tangible improvement to their lives, nostalgia for “strongman efficiency” can quietly resurface. It is a perilous sentiment. History shows that military rule may appear decisive, but it rarely produces sustainable prosperity or inclusive governance.

The lesson from Murtala Muhammed’s assassination is not simply about the vulnerability of leaders; it is about the vulnerability of systems built without deep institutional roots. Democracies collapse when institutions are hollowed out, when the judiciary is weakened, when legislatures lose independence and when accountability becomes selective.

Equally, democracy fails when it becomes distant from the daily struggles of the masses. Nigeria today grapples with inflation, unemployment, insecurity and widening inequality. For many citizens, the promise of 1999 — that civilian rule would bring stability and opportunity — feels deferred. This perception does not justify military intervention, but it does expose the urgent need for democratic renewal.

A coup does not cure governance failure; it compounds it. It replaces flawed accountability with none at all. It silences dissent rather than addressing its root causes. The real antidote to democratic disappointment is not regression to authoritarian shortcuts but reform within constitutional boundaries.

Fifty years after Murtala Muhammed’s assassination, Nigeria’s greatest safeguard against instability is not the strength of its armed forces but the credibility of its democratic institutions. The military must remain firmly subordinate to civilian authority, while civilian leaders must govern in ways that justify that authority.

Democracy cannot survive on ritual alone. It must deliver justice, equity and measurable improvement in citizens’ lives. When it does not, cynicism grows. And when cynicism grows unchecked, history’s darker chapters begin to look deceptively attractive.

The anniversary of 1976 should therefore serve as both memorial and mirror — a memorial to a turbulent past and a mirror reflecting present responsibilities. Nigeria has paid dearly for power seized by force. The challenge now is ensuring that democracy does not lose legitimacy through neglect, inequity or arrogance.

The gun once interrupted Nigeria’s future. The ballot must not be allowed to lose its meaning.

General Murtala Muhammad’s legacy will continue to remain fresh in the memory of patriotic Nigerians.

The constitutional democracy Nigeria is enjoying today is the brainchild of the late General Murtala Muhammad, who addressed the nation with vigour and instilled confidence.

His phrase “Immediate effect” remains the phrase successive Nigerian leaders have used to command respect and to show Nigerians they are very serious about formulating and implementing policies for the progress of all.

Despite military rule being an aberration, General Murtala Muhammad’s assassination was backward and retrogressive to the development of Nigeria, which many will continue to mourn for decades to come.

As General Murtala Muhammad clocks five decades after passing to the great beyond, the Nigerian Government should mandate a topic for Nigerian children in the country’s civic education curriculum so that those yet unborn will feel the impact of Nigeria’s great leader lost to the hands of retrogressive assassins on that fateful Friday, February 13th, 1976, which is exactly five decades today.

Adieu, great son of Nigeria and great son of Kano.

 

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El-Rufai’s Counsel Threatens Legal Action Over Airport Face-off

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February 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The legal team of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Thursday condemned what it described as an unlawful attempt by security operatives to arrest their client upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Ubong Esop Akpan of The Chambers of Ubong Akpan, counsel to El-Rufai, the lawyers alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to arrest the former governor without presenting a warrant or formal invitation.

According to the statement, El-Rufai arrived in Abuja aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo when security agents moved to detain him.

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The legal team argued that the invitation earlier issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was out of the country, describing any demand for immediate appearance as “illogical and impractical.”

The lawyers said they had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the Commission that El-Rufai would honour the invitation upon his return. They further stated that the EFCC was notified that he would voluntarilyx appear at its office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.

They described the alleged attempt to arrest him despite this commitment as arbitrary and a violation of due process.

The statement further alleged that security operatives seized El-Rufai’s international passport during the encounter, an action the legal team characterised as unlawful.

Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawyers contended that the attempted arrest breached their client’s fundamental rights, including the right to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement and right to own property.

“No government agency possesses unfettered authority to detain citizens without due process,” the statement read, adding that all state institutions are bound by constitutional safeguards.

The legal team demanded the “immediate and unconditional cessation” of any attempt to detain El-Rufai, the return of his passport, and a formal apology for what it termed an infringement on his rights and dignity.

It also maintained that the former governor would honour all legitimate law enforcement summons and would not evade lawful investigation.

The lawyers warned that legal action would be pursued against individuals and agencies allegedly responsible for the incident, stressing that the judiciary remains the proper avenue for resolving the matter.

As of press time, there was no official response from the DSS or the EFCC regarding the allegations.

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Senate Grills AGF Over Zero Capital Allocations, Unpaid Contracts in 2025 Budget

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February 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, faced intense questioning on Thursday as the Senate Committee on Finance scrutinised the 2025 budget implementation, citing zero capital allocations to several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), mounting unpaid contracts and concerns over the Centralised Payment System.

The heated exchange occurred during the AGF’s budget defence session, where lawmakers voiced frustration over what they described as poor fund releases and low implementation levels despite increased government revenues.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), opened the session with sharp criticism, accusing the Office of the Accountant-General of maintaining what he termed an “unfriendly” posture toward the committee.

“We are not going to take your budget until we are satisfied that your office is ready to do things that will make things work for Nigerians,” Musa said.

He also questioned the continued use of the envelope budgeting system, arguing that it had failed to deliver desired outcomes and should be replaced with a more performance-based framework.

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Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) described the current situation as “embarrassing,” noting a surge in complaints from contractors over unpaid jobs since 2024.

“We have never seen contractors bombarding us weekly for intervention on non-payment of executed contracts,” Goje said.

He queried the impact of recent fiscal reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, which were expected to boost government revenues.

“The impression given to Nigerians is that more money is available. Where is the money now? Why are contractors owed? And why was there zero allocation for capital votes of most MDAs in 2025?” he asked.

Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South) raised concerns over reports that revenue-generating agencies recorded N28 trillion, yet many contractors remain unpaid and several MDAs have no capital allocation.

“What happened to the N28 trillion?” he asked, adding that the Centralised Payment System had not improved the situation and was allegedly affecting government operations.

Other lawmakers, including Senators Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Aminu Abbas (Adamawa Central) and Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North), urged the AGF to advise President Bola Tinubu on the need to prevent possible internal sabotage within the system.

Responding, Ogunjimi attributed the funding challenges to indiscriminate contract awards by some MDAs without confirmed budgetary backing. He said a directive had been issued prohibiting agencies from awarding contracts without available funds.

“As Accountant-General, my office can only disburse funds that are available. I must have the funds before I can release them,” he said.

He also noted that the previous reliance on “Ways and Means” financing had been discontinued in the interest of economic stability.

While acknowledging operational challenges with the Centralised Payment System, the AGF assured lawmakers that steps were being taken to address the issues and improve efficiency.

The committee later moved into a closed-door session with the AGF for further deliberations.

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