Ya Allah, as you have set me and my household on your path, I beseech that you keep us firm on it and increase our tawakkul.
I plead that you cause us to live as Muslims, die as Muslims and be raised as Muslims on the day of reckoning. Amin🤲🏻
Let’s talk like civilised people.
Was the question Rufai asked really out of place?
In most presidential candidate interviews I have watched, the questions are usually centred around the biggest problems facing the country at that moment.
Regardless of whether someone wants to copy your ideas or not, you still have a duty to tell the people what your plans are.
Take the United Kingdom as an example. When Rishi Sunak was Prime Minister, some of the biggest questions he faced were how he intended to reduce NHS waiting lists, tackle illegal Channel crossings, manage immigration, and address organised criminal exploitation. These were the issues affecting people’s daily lives, so naturally those were the questions being asked.
Today, Kemi Badenoch faces questions about her plans. Nigel Farage faces questions about his plans. Other political leaders face the same scrutiny. Why? Because that is how democracy works. Citizens ask questions about the problems confronting their country.
If your opponent copies your ideas, then perhaps your ideas are worth copying. That is not a reason to avoid telling the public what you intend to do.
And please, stop saying people are seeking attention simply because they ask questions. Politics concerns every citizen because we all have a stake in the country. If voters cannot question those seeking the highest office in the land, then we are looking for rulers, not leaders.
It is not out of place for me to say I am not convinced by an answer. My parents and I are taxpayers. Every citizen has the right to demand clarity, accountability, and transparency from anyone seeking to become President.
Holding leaders accountable is not disrespect. It is one of the fundamental responsibilities of citizenship.
Shalom.
At this point, it’s not enough to come to an interview and say, “believe me that I’ll do things differently” without actually saying the things you’ll do differently.