Kawu Moddibo needs no defense By Abdulrazaq Hamzat
The name, Kawu Moddibo has been ringing bell for a while in Nigeria’s media space. From being a sophisticated writer, who is more like a god of the pen in literary world, to his role in dealing with political irresponsible leaders, especially in Kwara State, where he whips them so ferociously with his literal koboko. Then, he became a public official, reputed for his high level professionalism and dedication to service, before becoming a politician of note and principle; that combines respectable human qualities and high level political connections.
While Kawu Moddibo might be different things to different people, one thing he is not, is to become a showman, who subject his acts of charity to political paparazzi. To say it differently, you may hardly see him subjecting recipients of his act of kindness to public ridicule under the guise of publicity.
In the past few days, following an article published by Mallam Kawu Moddibo, Director General of National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to celebrate 80years birthday of Alhaji Mamman Daura, a cousin to President Muhammadu Buhari and a man often described as head of the cabals at the presidency and the Kaduna Mafia, I have read some critical pieces about Kawu Moddibo, and the subsequent debates that ensued. But to be honest, this is a man that needs no defense.
The first time I met Kawu Moddibo was on a flight from Ilorin to Abuja a while ago. The unscheduled encounter was a memorable one, because it left a lasting positive impression in my usually critical mind.
Before this encounter with the NBC boss, my knowledge of him had been distant, mostly through the media or third party affiliates. However, my first interaction with him, afforded me an opportunity to know the popular Kawu from a close range.
Cerebral, intelligent and accommodating are all adjectives that could hardly be enough to describe the man, who not only welcome my unsolicited greetings and obstruction to his way while going down from the airplane, but returned my greetings with the most reassuring courtesy any human could exhibit.
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Although, he said he was rushing out to meet an urgent appointment, typically of a personality of his caliber, but he repeatedly urges me to give him a call or send a text message, after we had exchanged contacts.
Mallam Kawu didn’t say goodbye, until he commended the activities of our movement, the Kwara Must Change. I also told him that our organization, Foundation for Peace Professionals may be approaching the NBC soon on a project, but we never did.
Before the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Kwara State, anyone involved in the politicking that took place behind the scene will know the political strength of Kawu Moddibo, not only in the state of harmony, but also at the national level.
Moddibo, as he is often called, is not only a political heavy weight that is well connected, he also combines high level of respectable human quality to his professional competence, which not many in the political scene possess. This made him one of the most debated governorship aspirants in high places ahead of the 2019 election.
However, after the primary election, which produced another excellent personality, in person of Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as the governorship candidate in Kwara State, Kawu Moddibo wasted no time, in throwing his 100% support behind the ever principled, ever progressive and ever ready Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. This is the stuff that real democrats are made of.
When I first heard the news of Kawu’s purported corruption case, I placed a call to him to understand what was happening and in the most sincere manner, he explained what led to the unfortunate situation and the vested interest behind the matter.
He assured that he knew nothing about the accusation, but vow to clear his name in an open court.
Typically, of a man, who is confident of his innocence, Kawu Moddibo is always eager to go to court to explain himself. He hides and dodges nothing and has continued to wait for a time, when the other parties in the case would summon courage to also show up in court to explain their side of the matter.
While no one can say for sure, who is innocent or guilty except the court of law, it is obvious that those trying to dodge court summons through all sorts of delay tactics have more to hide.
In all, I would say that, Kawu Moddibo needs no defense and if he ever needed to defend himself, he is well equipped to do so.
*Abdulrazaq Hamzat is an Executive Director at the Foundation for Peace Professionals and the Convener of Kwara Must Change.*
