By Idris Muhammad Gombe
The seeming outrage that has greeted Rarara’s latest political song says more about his critics than it does about the artist himself.
For years, Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami and his supporters have made integrity, accountability and moral rectitude the defining themes of their political engagement. They have freely questioned the character of political opponents, cast aspersions on their integrity and urged the electorate to reject those they consider morally unfit for public office. Whether one agrees with their conclusions or not, that has been their democratic right.
It is therefore astonishing that the very people who insist that others should submit themselves to the highest standards of public scrutiny now find it offensive when similar questions are directed at someone they support.
Rarara has not committed a crime by composing a song that asks questions. Political music has, throughout history, served as a powerful instrument of public engagement. It has challenged governments, exposed contradictions, questioned leaders and stimulated public debate. Democracy is richer, not poorer, when artists, journalists and ordinary citizens are free to interrogate those who seek public influence.
The essence of Rarara’s message is simple: if integrity is to remain the benchmark for leadership, then everyone who claims that moral high ground should be prepared to account for it. Asking how wealth was acquired or inviting clarification on publicly discussed assets is not an act of hatred. It is an invitation to transparency. If the answers are straightforward, then they should be provided. That is how accountability works.
What is disappointing is that Pantami’s media supporters have largely ignored the substance of the questions. Instead, they have chosen to attack the messenger with insults, abuse and character assassination. Such tactics do not answer legitimate concerns. They merely create the impression that some questions are acceptable only when asked of political opponents.
Accountability cannot be selective. Integrity cannot be situational. Transparency cannot be a weapon deployed against opponents and abandoned when it becomes inconvenient.
The electorate deserves better than personality cults. Gombe’s future should not revolve around who can shout the loudest on social media or who can silence critics. It should revolve around facts, evidence, public records and competing ideas for the development of the state.
Ironically, the reaction to Rarara’s song has achieved precisely what his critics hoped to prevent: it has broadened the conversation. Instead of focusing exclusively on allegations against Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the APC gubernatorial candidate, Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, the public is now asking a more fundamental question: should everyone who seeks to influence the political direction of Gombe be held to the same standard of accountability?
That is a healthy development for democracy.
Jamil Gwamna has continued to campaign on his vision for Gombe, despite repeated personal attacks from political opponents. His supporters have every right to defend him, just as Pantami’s supporters have every right to defend their preferred candidate. Equally, Rarara has every constitutional and democratic right to express his political opinion through music. Freedom of expression does not belong only to those whose opinions we like.
No democracy can flourish if artists are celebrated when they praise one side but demonised when they question another. Freedom of expression is tested not when speech is comfortable, but when it is inconvenient.
If Pantami and his supporters genuinely believe in the values of integrity and accountability that they have long preached, then they should welcome questions, answer them with facts and allow the people of Gombe to make an informed judgment.
After all, accountability is not an insult. It is the foundation of public trust.