By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
A Human Rights Advocate and Peace Ambassador of the Institute for Economics & Peace, Abubakar Aliyu, has said that activism and partisan politics are often difficult to reconcile, particularly when an activist is expected to remain independent and speak truth to power.
Aliyu stated this while reacting to the resignation of Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe as Coordinator of the Aminu Yuguda Political Movement.
He said he had carefully studied Gara Gombe’s statement announcing his resignation, noting that while he might not necessarily agree with everything the former coordinator says or does on social media, the fundamental issue remained the need for activists to maintain a reasonable degree of independence.
According to him, an activist who genuinely wants to speak truth to those in authority must guard against becoming too closely associated with political movements, office holders or governments.
“Once an activist becomes too closely tied to a political movement, political office holder or government, there is always the danger that his voice will be constrained by political loyalty, personal relationships or expectations,” he said.
Aliyu stressed that his position was not about determining whether Aminu Yuguda was a good or bad person, but rather about the realities of political engagement and public service in Nigeria.
He said he saw nothing unusual in reports that Yuguda had stopped taking Gara Gombe’s calls, arguing that there could be several reasons for such a development and that he would not speculate about their private relationship.
However, he noted that given the political environment in which Yuguda operates, it was understandable if the public servant was cautious about maintaining certain political associations.
“Yuguda is a public servant working under a political authority where criticism may not always be welcomed. If he continues to openly associate with someone who consistently criticises those in power, there is a possibility that such association could affect his position, influence or political future,” Aliyu said.
He further observed that political ambitions could also influence the decisions of politicians, adding that anyone aspiring to occupy higher political office would naturally seek to protect political relationships and influence within the system.
Aliyu said this raised a fundamental question as to whether a politician seeking to advance within the political system could simultaneously maintain the same level of independence expected of an activist who consistently speaks truth to power.
“That is where the conflict lies,” he said.
According to him, an activist’s primary responsibility should be to the people and the principles he or she represents, while a politician operates within a system driven by political interests, relationships, alliances, appointments and ambitions.
“These two responsibilities can sometimes come into direct conflict,” he added.
Speaking about his own position, Aliyu described himself as an activist and businessman, stressing that his loyalty was not to any individual, political movement, government or political appointment.
“My commitment is to truth, accountability, good governance, human rights and the interests of ordinary people.
“I may support a government when it does something right, and I will criticise it when it does something wrong. I may commend a politician today and question his actions tomorrow. That is what independence means,” he stated.
Aliyu therefore urged the public not to interpret every disagreement between political actors and activists as hatred or betrayal, saying such differences could simply be the consequence of individuals choosing different paths.
He said Gara Gombe’s decision to step away from coordinating the Aminu Yuguda Political Movement because he believed his continued involvement was no longer compatible with his principles should be respected.
“At the same time, Aminu Yuguda has his own political calculations, responsibilities, ambitions and relationships within government. Those choices are his to make,” Aliyu added.
He, however, charged activists to remain committed to their principles and avoid allowing political friendships, appointments, personal interests or ambitions to compromise their conscience.
“For those of us who have chosen the path of activism, one principle must remain constant: we must never allow political friendship, appointments, personal interests or political ambitions to silence our conscience.
“When we speak, let it be because the people deserve to hear the truth—not because someone in power has given us permission to speak.
“I am an activist. I am a businessman. I am independent. And I will continue to speak for what I believe is right, regardless of who is in power,” Aliyu declared.