"Leadership is not about the position one holds, but about the responsibility one bears to serve and uplift others."

Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto.

In a democracy, the voice of the people should NOT be silenced, especially when it calls attention to the safety and dignity of the vulnerable. Yet in Sokoto, we find ourselves facing a grim and troubling reality where this very principle is under vicious attack. The recent arrest of a young woman, Hamdiyya Sidi, who bravely demanded accountability from her Governor and Northern leaders, exposes a shameful and oppressive mindset at the highest levels of leadership. She dared to ask the Governor of her State, Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto, a simple question: if he and his family faced the horrific violence that has befallen countless women across the North—women who have been violated in unspeakable ways, sometimes in front of their families—would he remain so indifferent? Instead of addressing her concerns, however, the police proceeded to arrest and detain her, ostensibly for 'inciting unrest'; an act that cannot and should not be tolerated. As we speak, after being released on bail, Hamdiyya was ambushed by 'unknown persons', beaten up thoroughly, and left for dead.

In the conflict-ridden spaces of Northern Nigeria, women live under the constant threat of violence — rape, kidnapping, and terror --- at the hands of armed groups.

The young woman who spoke up was not “criticizing the government” or "inciting unrest"; she was merely calling attention to a humanitarian crisis, of which there are countless victims, including members of her family and community. These atrocities continue unabated under the gaze of our leaders, who have been elected to protect their citizens. Instead of responding with empathy, action, support, or even basic respect, the elected authorities in Sokoto chose to wield power and influence to silence her.

Hamdiyya spoke for millions who live in fear, those whose pleas have been ignored time and time again. Her arrest sends a chilling message: that in Sokoto, those in power are more interested in suppressing dissent than in protecting their people. It tells Northern women that their lives, their safety, and their voices are less important than the comfort of those who hold office.

Why should a woman be detained and beaten up for speaking a painful truth? She did not curse, she did not threaten, and she did not incite violence; she asked a simple question. This cowardly response from the powers-that-be reeks of authoritarianism, and signals a profound disrespect not only for her, but for all women who bear the brunt of this unchecked violence. If our leaders cannot tolerate questions from the electorate, it is a clear sign of a decayed democracy.

Let us be clear; the North remains within a democracy. Leaders are elected to serve their citizens, not to rule over or oppress them because they are vulnerable or weaker than they are. When they fail to protect the very citizens they swore to defend, they must expect to be questioned, and they should be prepared to answer with humility, not handcuffs, detention and assault. Northern women deserve leaders who are willing to stand up against the violence tearing communities apart, not leaders who shield their eyes and plug their ears when the pleas for help become inconvenient.

The Governor of Sokoto, Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto, must immediately publicly denounce the treatment accorded this courageous young lady, in recognition of his responsibility and leadership role to protect his citizens. We expect him to support her and also listen to her pleas for support, with a view to addressing them. His public denouncement would send a message that the State values the lives and safety of its women. Ignoring her pleas for her community, and indeed, the State at large only deepens the wounds that violence has already inflicted on Northern Nigeria’s social fabric.

 In any just society, a woman has the right to speak out against the conditions that threaten her life and dignity. Northern women deserve this right to speak out, without fear of violence or retribution. Their demands should flow naturally as a right, not a privilege. This is not just about one woman’s freedom but about the rights of all Northern women who refuse to be silenced in the face of brutality.

Regrettably, this persecution of individuals, who speak up on the challenges being faced in our country, is becoming commonplace. The Northern Governors need to protect and support their suffering citizens while addressing the issues being raised, rather than take offence at the emerging realities. The ruling party, the APC, which is also Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto’s party, would do well to demand that the Governor do well by his citizens. So too, the Inspector General of Police should call his men to order, since it was the police who took it upon themselves to detain Hamdiya for 'inciting arrest'; a young defenseless girl who merely expressed her empathy for members of her community, demanding for succour.

Our Governors must be reminded of their responsibilities as leaders, even of beleaguered, conflict-ridden spaces and communities within their jurisdictions. The suffering is unbearable and the attacks unrelenting. We join Hamdiyya in pleading for mercy and support for those afflicted by violence, death and destruction in their jurisdictions. Our Governors must stand firm in the protection of the vulnerable. They must not exacerbate the suffering by oppressing the weak who do not have the wherewithal to protect themselves. As the saying goes in hausa, you cannot beat a person and then stop him or her from crying!

When northern Nigerian women came out in their thousands to vote for our Governors, it was because they believed they were electing empathetic leaders who would work assiduously to improve security and the conditions of women and citizens in our country. They certainly didn’t expect those they elected to become part of their oppressors; authoritative abusers of the law who use the State apparatus unjustly to cow citizens into silence. We call on everyone with any degree of influence on Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto to get him to do the right thing by ensuring Hamdiyya, who has done nothing wrong, is protected, supported and listened to. That would be the first step towards addressing the suffering of the people.

Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto, it is time to listen, act, and allow Northern women to breathe. Voices for Inclusion and Equity (VIEW) is a North Central, North East, and North West Nigeria coalition committed to fostering equitable, inclusive, and just societies for women across the Nation. VIEW welcomes and salutes all other statements on this matter geared towards ensuring redress and a culture of ethical behavior in public life.

Ors:

▪ Aisha Oyebode

▪ Amina Salihu

▪ Mairo Mandara

▪ Kadaria Ahmed

▪ Fatima Akilu

▪ Rabi Jimeta

▪ Aisha Waziri Ibrahim