In defence of Adamu Adamu

“Vulgar people take huge delight in the faults and follies of great men”- Schopenhauer


An article appeared on the back cover of Daily Trust of Wednesday, July 29, with the above caption written by one John Danfulani which was purposely directed against the personality and character of Adamu Adamu, the Friday columnist of the Daily Trust.

It was, as the writer claimed, a response to Malam Adamu’s piece which was a response to an earlier write-up by one Shehu Mustapha Chaji titled “Questions for Adamu Adamu.” Danfulani’s piece was laced with utter vulgarity and foul language which in a normal circumstance, could not warrant a reply by a person with a sense and decorum, but as the wise saying goes that “the charlatan will put in his pocket in the mouth of the wise who fails to speak out in public,” I consider it an obligation to respond, lest the public be tempted to believe the lies.

I read both Shehu Chaji’s write up and Adamu Adamu’s response (if we can still call it a response) and did not find any thing similar to a show of arrogance in the latter’s response, as claimed by Danfulani. I also didn’t see any condemnation or use of foul language or harassment against Chaji in that piece. But perhaps Danfulani has a special way of reading peoples’ intentions against their writings as his ramblings suggested. But even if that was the case, here we are only judging the columnist based on what he put down on paper, not speculating on his assumed intentions.

I marvelled at this outpouring of venom on the columnist, because any body who is acquainted with the nature of such writing debates (challenges and rejoinders) knows it is common for a writer to say that his opponent’s claims are not worth his reply and that does not make him arrogant. Danfulani’s grouse against Adamu (at least that’s what he shows on the surface) was his refusal to write and castigate Governor Isa Yuguda to their delight just because he is an influential writer and came from Bauchi State. See! If Malam Adamu thought Chaji’s piece wasn’t important to warrant his attention, it is his own right, as there is no law that says one must buy or dance to another person’s opinion. If he felt it was not his desire now to comment on Bauchi politics, then let him be. After all, he is a national columnist and he can pick any national, regional or state issue to discuss as he deemed like any other writer without coercion from any body.

Any body is free to write and express his opinion on the Bauchi politics either in support or against the Governor; this is democracy, no hindrance. Why the desperate effort to use Adamu Adamu as a megaphone? Even if Malam Adamu openly supported Governor Yuguda, I don‘t see any problem in that, for he is also a Nigerian citizen like every one of us, entitled to his rights of choice and opinion. Instead of venting their anger on the columnist for refusing to be hoodwinked into assuaging their whims, such people can go ahead and write their own articles on the happenings in Bauchi politics, period. At least since they have the guts to castigate Malam Adamu, let them direct their diatribe on Yuguda’s administration since that is the very reason they want to crucify the writer.

John has veered away from the normal norm of criticism by openly expressing his harboured hatred against the Adamu Adamu. Glaringly goaded by sheer mischief and uncanny effort to rubbish a hard-earned reputation and credibility, Danfulani did not even did not even allowed Adamu to conclude that piece (as the second part of it was yet to be published) before descending on him with such unreserved abusive language. He was in a haste to pass verdict on him even before reading the writer’s complete thought on the issue. Abusive language, they say, is easy to use. Thus, it does not require a deeper insight to understand Danfulani’s evil intentions in rushing in with his hurriedly prepared piece before the appearing of Malam Adamu’s second part of his discuss. And by doing that he was mischievously intending to pre-empt the writer by diffusing the monds of his readers against whatever Malam Adamu would write in that upcoming piece thereby portraying him in bad light. But then, are the readers this foolish?

Another thought yet would tell you that Danfulani (whoever he is ) is one of the rabble rousers who purposely try to make name or gather attention by ‘challenging” reputable writers like Malam Adamu Adamu, and do it just to see their names in writings. Often fledgling, idle and disenfranchised writers resort to almost vicious assaults on whichever prominent person is unlucky to have caught their unguarded evil fancies. Therefore, Danfulani’s singling out of Adamu Adamu was not without purpose even as he appeared to be more catholic than the pope, venting anger supposedly on behalf of Shehu Chaji whom he described as moral icon. However, as opposed to his abusive diatribe, Chaji’s was less uncharitable, which shows that Danfulani had a personal score to settle with Adamu Adamu. But the most laughable was Danfulani’s claim that he was fighting Adamu on a moral ground. Kai! If we may ask: From which moral pedestal was Danfulani condemning Adamu’s morality? Which moral scale did he use to measure Adamu’s response to Shehu Chaji’s charge? No wonder he was so carried by emotions throughout his write up he didn’t bother to see that he was off the mark, dwelling on “discussing” personality instead of issues. Indeed his writing was bereft of substance on the issue at hand.

Gumel wrote from Limawa Quarters, Gumel, Jigawa State

Finally, since Adamu will not buy the point, John, why not leave him alone and look for a willing bloke to do the dirty job for your likes.

http://www.news.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3965&catid=49