Hamdiyya Cidi Sherif: A Young Critic in the Eye of the Storm
By Saleh Bature
Before the release of her viral video criticizing Ahmed Aliyu Dan Alu, the Governor of Sokoto State, 18-year-old Hamdiyya Cidi Sherif was merely an obscure local TikTok user, virtually unknown outside her village. However, her bold words quickly thrust her into the national spotlight, triggering a storm of controversy that nearly cost her life.
In the now-famous video, Hamdiyya addressed a gathering of distressed village women, articulating their collective anguish: “We are at the mercy of marauding bandits. I am not here campaigning for any party or politician; the person we hold accountable is the governor. My message is directed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu Dan Alu.”
With a piercing tone, she questioned the governor’s awareness of their plight: “Has the Sokoto State government forgotten us? Has news of our suffering not reached the governor, or is it that he has run out of solutions?” She painted a stark picture of families displaced and children forced to sleep in the streets, challenging the governor for forgetting those he once sought votes from.
Hamdiyya poignantly reminded the governor of the nature of power and mortality, stating, “Regardless of whether you hold office for 4 or 8 years, one day you will leave this position, face judgment, as we all must.” She directed her passion toward the victims of violence in their communities, asking, “How would the governor feel if he were in the shoes of those women assaulted by bandits?”
In response, instead of considering her indignation, the governor dispatched armed men to Munki village to arrest her. They surrounded her family home as though preparing for a confrontation with a notorious bandit, Bello Turji. Hamdiyya shared her harrowing experience of being beaten and manhandled, the fear escalating when a police officer threatened her with rape for “bringing discord” to the governor.
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Subsequently, she was arraigned in a Sharia Court, facing accusations of public incitement. Although she was granted bail, her ordeal did not end there. A mere two days later, unidentified assailants ambushed her, brutally assaulting her until they presumed her dead, discarding her like a broken doll. Miraculously, Allah spared her life, and she has since begun her recovery from the life-threatening injuries inflicted upon her.
It is unimaginable that a mere expression of dissent against a governor could provoke such violent retribution. What, exactly, did Hamdiyya say that was erroneous or against the law? Isn’t it common knowledge that many governors neglect the security and welfare of their constituents? Are they not prone to using and abandoning the very voters who elevated them to power? The rampant violence from bandits has led to displaced families fleeing to overcrowded IDP camps—how can a governor remain immune to such criticism?
Governor Ahmed Aliyu has developed a notorious reputation for silencing dissent. Not long ago, Shafi’u Umar Turaita, a social media influencer, was arrested for sharing what Amnesty International described as a viral video showcasing the extravagant birthday celebration of the governor’s wife. This extravagance is shockingly insensitive when juxtaposed against the troubling realities of insecurity, poverty, and suffering faced by the people of Sokoto State.
Instead of pursuing petty vendettas against young critics on social media, the governor should focus on the more pressing issues at hand. The challenges facing Sokoto are monumental, and governance should be centered on improving the lives of its residents, not silencing their voices.
Moreover, believing that one can stifle social media critics is an exercise in futility. Political observers assert that good governance begins with the willingness to hear and learn from criticism. Hamdiyya’s social media presence has exploded, growing from a modest following to over 500,000, transforming her into a national figure for women’s rights in Northern Nigeria.
The authorities’ attempts to silence her have catapulted her into a role as a symbol of resistance against oppression. Her courageous stand for justice, coupled with the tribulations she endured, has elevated her as a voice for the disenfranchised women of her region.
Hamdiyya Cidi Sherif’s story is not just about a young girl standing up to power; it is a reflection of the broader struggle for human rights and freedom of expression in Nigeria. Her resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity is a beacon of hope for those who dare to challenge the status quo.
Saleh Bature, the author of this piece, writes from Limpopo Street, Maitama, Abuja. He can be reached via email at [email protected].
