Unplugged Activism: The Unconventional Politics Of Dauda Kahutu Rarara -By Yusuf Sani

Popular Hausa politically motivated singer, Dauda Adamu Abdulahi popularly known as Rarara has affirmed the popular though a subjective saying that ‘‘politics is a dirty game’’. The invective singer claimed, on a media chat right after the apex court affirmed President Tinubu’s victory in the last presidential elections last week Thursday evening, that this government, if it fails to recognise and pay back his contribution which he claimed that absolutely no one other than Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari did contribute close to what he did towards APC’s victory in the election, he will definitely dump the party and threatened to reveal those working against the party but have managed to sneak into the government’s cabinet.

The singer boldly claimed again that he played pivotal role (more than Buhari himself and anyone else!) in uplifting the APC in 2014 that resulted in its victory at the presidential election in which Muhammadu Buhari emerged a winner, but to his amazement, the government that he invested so much did not care to pay him back or even to protect his life and properties; at the verge of threat to his life, the then Inspector General of Police withdrew police officers that were guarding him. But his firm conviction that the then government was doing its best and was to do more to ease the sufferings of a common man and to pay him back personally was all in vain.

Ironically, the singer decided to be rogue if Tinubu Administration is ignoring his requests to have lucrative positions at the Federal Government and advice he offers that will suffice if he would be listened.

Former president, Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide took his social media handle to debunk Rarara’s claims describing it as nothing but senseless utterances and that he does not deserved a time to reply on all that he said and the claims are clearly contrary to reality. As for the songs he did to Mr Buhari, none of them went unpaid and that Buhari is the source of his recognition.

Consequently, people’s reaction towards this issue cannot be appealing to the singer that may be thinking he is doing it for them. He was insulted was called with all sort of terrible names for betraying his former boss. But lest not forget, contemporary politically motivated singers are only out for ‘business’ and are into the deal with highest bidder. Any opponent stands a chance of being ridiculed through his ‘invective barb’ songs and interviews or social media ‘reels’. He uses his lyrical talent to woo voters and expose the oppositions to public ridicule as Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu, an ethnomusicologist cautioned ‘he used his skills to abuse, insult and body shame anyone he was paid to insult, including former masters and associates’.

Politicians hold positions of power and authority, and with that power comes a responsibility to be accountable for their actions and decisions, hence they need to always be ready for whatever repercussions that may pop up, given the issue at hand, it could have a positive or negative standpoint to former President Muhammadu Buhari and Rarara himself; Buhari for his ‘negligence’ and Rarara for his ‘impatience’ and had sensed that APC is on the verge of collapsing without him getting paid before his sweat dried up.

Rarara’s political ideology is purely personal, just like other average politicians that struggle for position, fame, recognition, or getting followers, and at the same time are struggling to evade losing followers, leaving office or get them demeaned and to his claim, that is what he got from the previous government despite his immense contribution to its victory in elections and his continuous support overtime.

Nonetheless political moguls must acknowledge his influence especially during political rallies, believing that he is untouchable whose songs play vital role in persuading voters. According to him, he once rejected an offer of 500 million Naira from one PDP member before 2014 general elections to go against Buhari and APC because Jonathan shall remain in power but he decided to remain with Buhari and APC all through its eight years in power believing that a change will come but all in vain. Notably, no political figure could reject Rarara today if he decided to befriend them and defriend his bosses overnight because of his mastery of hands-free lyrical application to well-known politicians who have terrible records at their disposal.

Today, very few singers respect the norms and values of Nigerian societies; either political or apolitical, Rarara and co. uses whatever weapon they have available to shame and expose, to ridiculousness, whosoever oppose their political ideology and it is worthy to know that these so-called celebrities are mere businessmen whose services are solely monetary not in any way conforms the societal norms. Moreover, there may be legal implications against direct defamatory songs Rarara releases only if his ‘target’ decides to take all possible actions, but of a surety, Rarara is audacious and do not redress nor regret his utterances that, clearly, go against the law.

Supposedly political songs promote purer ideologies in a convincing manner with utmost respect like that of Sa’adu Zungur that will be remembered for his legacy and his contributions to the political and social discourse in Northern Nigeria during crucial periods, Had Rarara’s literary pursuits advocate for rights of common people, all the threats he faced shall not be so intense and would have not be denied access to the hierarchy. Ideally, Rarara’s lyrical brilliance are no doubt of artistic excellence but lacks authenticity, clarity, and adaptability to express a viewpoint that encourages unity, understanding and dialogue since his songs have power to evoke emotions and amplify an impact.

Advisedly, Rarara and Pro-Buhari warriors should calm down and accept the outcome of what their government had sown for years. Nigerians have rigorously waited for the so-called ‘change’ promised to them that Rarara lured them into believing, lo and behold, the same man that wooed people into abstract fantasies came out boldly declaring his utmost dissatisfaction with the level of the expected ‘change’ and tagged the administration as ‘terribly worst’ and threatened to actively oppose who he worked for if his wishes are not swiftly taken into consideration.

I believe Rarara has no predecessor anywhere that shamelessly rained foul language on political opponents and could hardly influence upcoming singers only if law and order are imposed to regulate the lyrical construction as well as its delivery. The need to revive and equip the NBC with possible power to ensure that media content aligns with ethical and professional standards is paramount and anything possible should be done to do away with hate speech, obscenity, and all contents that deemed inappropriate.

In retrospect, Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu analysed over 80 Rarara’s songs has cited that ‘based on his corpus, Rarara sells to the highest bidder, with neither conscience nor ideology. The huge profit he makes serve as an insurance against future loss of earnings when Kano politicians become mature enough to stop patronizing him to insult each other (and themselves) and utilize his skills in more constructive ways’. It is now high time that his current client, the APC, to slow, quite him down before his defection and starts backfiring the invective taunts and utterances that the clients must not like.

To the right thinking patriots, Rarara was once interviewed by the BBC before last general elections where he reaffirmed his unapologetic love and support to Buhari administration and carelessly called for additional four or five more years to Buhari’s unrewarded two terms because of an amazing mission they have for the nation. Did he not saw all these coming?

Yusuf Sani, Department of Mass Communication,

Borno State University, Maiduguri.