By:
Farouk Ozigi Onimisi
(Asukulated Orator)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent and the Merciful
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ
1. “Surely (O’ Muhammad) We have given you abundance (of good (Kawthar).”
2. “Therefore, pray on to your Lord and make sacrifice.”
3. “Surely, it is he who insulted you that is without prosperity.”
In this Surah, similar to Surah Duha and Surah Inshirra, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) is addressed. One of the objective points in all three Suras is that of consoling him when he was faced with a magnitude of painful incidents and numerous taunts by the offensive language of his enemies.
The ayah, “we have certainly given you Al-Kawthar,” ascertains the never-ending abundance that was given to the Prophet in this life, as well as glad tidings to some of what he will be given in Paradise. Surely, when these bounties come from the Almighty, and He mentions this in His Qur’an, this surely comforts the Prophet’s heart and leaves him feeling assured that he will be the winner in both lives.
In return for the abundant goodness and the divine refutation of the false allegations made by the polytheists, the Quran directs the Prophet to be completely and sincerely thankful to Allah in the next verse. He is guided to observe all acts of worship including the obligatory prayer and sacrifice sincerely and for the sake of Allah alone, without ascribing any partners to Him, Glory be His.
In the last verse, we read it is those who slander the Prophet; those who say that he had no posterity and deems his message as no good; they are indeed the ones who are really cut off. These people are no longer remembered by anyone except for what they have said and done in defiance of the truth.
On the contrary, the Prophet’s outstanding impact on humanity is still and will be remembered up till the end of days, (S.A.W).
The sudden turn of events, imaginary and non-fictitious information against the next Governor of Kogi State, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Muhammed Jamiu Asuku, are all concocted lies to deceive the teeming supporters of APC across the state. Basically, it is no longer news that the easiest way to gain attention in the political space as of today, is to take a swipe on the most popular and widely accepted aspirant. So is the case of Pharmacist Abdulkareem Muhammed Jamiu Asuku, who happens to be the most preferred by majority of Kogites and is coasting to victory to clinch the ruling party’s ticket to participate in the state’s gubernatorial election coming up on 11th November, 2023.
I call on the general public particularly the APC delegates to disregard the disparaging onslaught launched against the person of Asuku. His sterling qualities, humble disposition, and accessibility to millions of Kogites, especially the teaming youths has long intimidated his opponents, the reasons for the unnecessary attacks on his person.
His rare attribute of what leadership is has endeared him to many, but in the same vein, pitched him against his opponents who lack the same, rather enraged and filled with bile, hatred, and fury and would stop at nothing to unleash terror against him.
Personally, I have watched with keen attention and honestly, I am dismayed by the unprovoked attacks against the person of Asuku from both friends and foes. One may begin to wonder where such unfounded lies and blackmails emanate from all in the name of politics.
Contemporarily, politicians must learn to play politics that are issue-based and not character assassination. The focus should be on how to improve the well-being of the people of Kogi state. Let us do the things that will unite us and not those things that divide us. We are all Kogites and must live in love. It is Asuku’s turn and you can’t be a friend of a king if you don’t support him as king.