A POLITICAL song released ahead of the 2027 general elections has triggered a major debate across Northern Nigeria, drawing reactions from Islamic scholars, politicians, entertainers, civil society voices and supporters of different political parties.
The song by popular Hausa singer Dauda Kahutu, popularly known as Rarara, targeted Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State. What was apparently released as a political campaign track in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has instead generated widespread controversy, with critics accusing the singer of crossing ethical boundaries.
In this Sunday Political Feature, News Point Nigeria dissects and analyses the situation, examining how a campaign song has moved beyond ordinary political rivalry into a broader conversation about the limits of political communication, respect for religious figures, the role of entertainers in politics and the possible consequences ahead of the 2027 Gombe governorship election.
The controversy surrounding the song has exposed deep tensions within the political landscape of Gombe State, where Pantami’s emergence as the PDP candidate has changed the dynamics of the coming election.
While supporters of the APC candidate see Rarara as a political entertainer using his platform to promote his preferred candidate, critics argue that the approach adopted in the song risks creating sympathy for Pantami rather than weakening his political appeal.
The song, which went viral across social media platforms, contains allegations and references that many commentators described as personal attacks, including insinuations relating to drugs. The reaction has been swift, with several personalities arguing that political disagreements should be addressed through facts, policies and ideas rather than ridicule.
Among those who condemned the song were Islamic scholars who expressed concern over what they described as disrespect towards a respected scholar and former government official.
Imam Umar Shehu Zaria was among the first clerics to openly criticise the singer’s approach, accusing him of allowing political interests to override respect for religious personalities.
“You were paid to insult a scholar because you’re irresponsible and indecent. Know this: a time will come when you will lack relevance. Before you, others existed who have passed, and we shall continue to condemn your act,” he stated.
The Imam insisted that attacking a scholar for political reasons was unacceptable and warned that those who engage in such actions would eventually face public rejection.
Another prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Musa Yusuf Asadussunnah, also criticised the song, describing it as an irresponsible attack on Professor Pantami.
Speaking during a sermon, Sheikh Musa said he was disturbed after watching the video and questioned why political disagreement should lead to insults against someone known for years of Islamic scholarship.
“Before I came to the pulpit, I received a video of an irresponsible fellow disrespecting and insulting one of our scholars, Professor Ali Isa Ibrahim Pantami, a man who sacrificed his life and time during the Boko Haram insurgency,” he said.
The cleric argued that Pantami’s contributions during the insurgency period deserved recognition, stressing that many people would not have made similar sacrifices even with financial incentives.
“If you know what he did during that period, many people would not have done the same, even if they were paid. He is someone who has been blessed in many ways,” Sheikh Musa said.
For him, the criticism against Pantami was not driven purely by accountability concerns but by political differences following his decision to contest under a different political platform.
“Today you have flipped sides only because you now belong to a different political party. The only reason for your anger is that he did not run on your party’s platform. So you rejoice in his ridicule for entertainment,” he said.
The cleric questioned the justification for comparing a scholar of Islamic jurisprudence with allegations and insults, insisting that political disagreements should not erase respect for knowledge and scholarship.
“What is baffling is comparing a scholar of the Qur’an and Islamic jurisprudence with drugs and other unspeakable words. His crime? He entered politics and insisted that things must be done differently,” he added.
Sheikh Musa further argued that Pantami’s record in public office should be judged based on performance and facts rather than personal attacks.
“This man has been tested in governance, and very few can match his performance and achievements. Why do we criticise our own bitterly and then go on to praise others? Is that not hypocrisy and a betrayal of trust?” he asked.
He warned that constant attacks on scholars could discourage respected individuals from offering themselves for public service.
“No society will advance without its scholars, because they have been elevated by Allah. To attack scholars is like fighting the Prophets. Yet today, we ridicule scholars. The downside of this is that it will discourage others of this calibre from serving. And if that happens, we will continue to regress as a people,” he cautioned.
However, the cleric also advised those with genuine complaints against Pantami to use lawful channels rather than resorting to insults.
“If you find him wanting in any allegation, then take him to court. He served this country for eight years. Investigate his time in office and prove your case instead,” he said.
The controversy generated by Rarara’s song did not remain confined to religious circles. It quickly moved into the political arena, with stakeholders within and outside the All Progressives Congress (APC) warning that the strategy adopted by the singer could produce consequences far beyond the immediate campaign objective.
For some political actors, the song has become an example of how campaign messaging, when built around personal attacks rather than policy issues, can easily become counterproductive.
Many politicians argue that instead of damaging Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami’s political image ahead of the 2027 Gombe State governorship election, the controversy has given him renewed public attention and created a sympathy wave around him.
One of those who believes the song could hurt the APC’s chances in Gombe is popular Kannywood singer Sanusi Anu Sabuwa.
Speaking from his experience within the entertainment industry, Anu warned that political musicians sometimes underestimate the consequences of attacking personalities who command strong public respect.
“What Rarara does not realise is that the stunt he pulled with this song will make the APC lose the elections in Gombe State,” he said.
According to him, Professor Pantami is not a personality that can easily be diminished through ridicule because of the level of respect he commands among many Nigerians and Muslims globally.
“Professor Pantami is not someone you ridicule — not only in Nigeria, but around the world. This is a man who has dedicated his life to serving Islam,” he stated.
Anu recalled his own experience as a political musician, explaining that political alliances often change and those attacked during campaigns could later become influential figures within the same political circles.
“When I was singing for Dikko while he was Chairman, I used to ridicule his opponents. But as time passed, those same opponents joined our political party and became leaders in party affairs,” he recalled.
He argued that history has shown that musicians who engage in excessive political attacks often suffer reputational consequences after the political season ends.
“History tells us that musicians who did this did not end well. Even if Rarara was paid to do this song, I can tell you this is the beginning of his decline,” he added.
The backlash against the song, according to Anu, demonstrates that many Nigerians are uncomfortable with what they consider personal attacks disguised as political entertainment.
He also pointed to the intense reactions against Rarara on social media, saying the controversy had exposed the personal risks involved when entertainers cross certain boundaries.
“You can already see the backlash — how people have gone after him in the comment sections across social media platforms. Even his mother, who is still alive, was not spared. Is that what he wants — for people to insult his mother?” he asked.
APC Stakeholders Raise Concern Over Gombe Political Future
The controversy has also unsettled some APC supporters in Gombe, who fear that the song could complicate the party’s efforts ahead of the next election.
Alhaji Salisu Sheriff, an APC stakeholder in the state, said the reaction against Rarara was not based on party loyalty but on the perception that the singer targeted a personality many people respect.
“I saw the song Rarara sang, full of innuendo towards Professor Ali Isa Ibrahim Pantami. And the backlash he received is not because of political inclination, but because he touched a personality he should not have,” he said.
Sheriff alleged that the song had created unnecessary distraction at a time when the APC should be focused on building support and preparing for the election.
“It is alleged that Rarara was given a car and a plot of land. Right now, the APC is scrambling to get supporters for the next election, and this song will make it even more difficult,” he claimed.
He advised party supporters to shift attention away from attacking Pantami and concentrate on issues that could strengthen the party’s electoral chances.
“What we want in the APC is to stop discussing this man, because so far it is not working in their favour. What they should focus on is how to gather more followers for the elections, create jobs, and give people positions in the party,” he said.
Beyond the immediate political calculations surrounding Gombe, the controversy has reopened a broader discussion about the changing nature of political music in Northern Nigeria.
Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, described the development as evidence of the declining quality of political discourse in the region.
Dalung argued that political songs historically played a significant role in educating citizens, mobilising communities and communicating political ideas.
“There was a time when political songs in the North inspired, educated, and mobilised. Even the harshest praise singers understood there were lines that decent people simply did not cross. Today, it seems those lines have disappeared,” he said.
According to him, political criticism is necessary in a democracy, but it should be based on facts rather than insults or unverified allegations.
“The North prides itself on adabi (good manners), kunya (modesty), and respect for human dignity,” Dalung stated.
“Those values should not evaporate because someone has taken a political position we disagree with.”
He challenged political actors and entertainers to focus on issues rather than personal attacks.
“If Sheikh Pantami is wrong, challenge him with facts. If his politics are inconsistent, expose the inconsistencies. If his public statements deserve scrutiny, scrutinise them,” he said.
Dalung warned that the normalisation of insulting political opponents could damage the culture of respectful disagreement that has traditionally characterised northern society.
One of the strongest criticisms against Rarara came from commentators who argued that the song represented a decline in the quality of political expression.
Abdulaziz Jauro, an Adamawa-based commentator, described the song as an example of how political art can lose its purpose when it becomes centred on personal attacks rather than constructive criticism.
According to him, using symbolic language or indirect references does not transform personal attacks into meaningful artistic expression.
He argued that the song reflected what he described as a misuse of public influence, accusing the singer of turning his platform into a tool for damaging reputations rather than contributing to public enlightenment.
“Rarara’s latest composition aimed at Professor Pantami exemplifies a troubling descent into artistic insolvency and ethical dereliction,” Jauro stated.
He argued that hiding allegations behind creative expressions does not remove the responsibility that comes with making public statements about individuals.
“Cloaking insinuations in flimsy allegorical devices does not elevate defamatory rhetoric into sophisticated expression; it merely obscures intellectual vacuity beneath a veneer of performative symbolism,” he said.
Jauro maintained that entertainers with large audiences have a responsibility to consider the impact of their words on society.
“It is profoundly disconcerting that an individual with considerable public reach has chosen to commodify invective, transforming his platform into an instrument of calculated calumny rather than cultural enrichment,” he added.
For him, political music should contribute to public discussion rather than deepen divisions.
“This is not artistic courage. It is an exhibition of moral bankruptcy, discursive delinquency and an astonishing abdication of the ethical obligations that accompany influence,” he stated.
The controversy has also attracted reactions from supporters of the APC governorship candidate, Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna.
While acknowledging his support for Gwamna, lawyer and rights activist Nuhu Dantani warned that the song could create unintended political consequences for the candidate.
Dantani argued that rather than weakening Pantami’s image, the campaign track may have strengthened public sympathy towards him.
“I am a supporter of Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, and I believe he is a good man. However, if he fails in the 2027 Gombe governorship contest, Rarara should be held accountable,” he said.
According to him, the song has succeeded in generating greater attention for Pantami.
“In his song, he only succeeded in raising Prof Pantami’s popularity and enhancing his dignity and respect. On election day, the impact of this mistake will become clear,” Dantani added.
His position reflects a growing concern among some political observers that negative campaigns often produce unexpected outcomes, especially when voters perceive an attack as excessive or unfair.
At the centre of this controversy is a fundamental question: did the song achieve its intended political objective, or did it create an advantage for the very person it sought to undermine?
While supporters of the APC candidate, Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, may have viewed the song as a means of challenging Pantami’s political image, critics argue that the reaction suggests the opposite outcome.
Instead of dominating discussions about Gwamna’s political programme, the controversy has shifted public attention towards Pantami, his background, his achievements and his political journey.
For many observers, the episode represents a familiar challenge in political communication: negative publicity can sometimes generate unexpected sympathy for the person being criticised.
In a democratic contest, voters often want to hear how candidates intend to address economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
However, when campaigns become dominated by personal accusations, the central issues affecting citizens may disappear from public discussion.
This is one of the concerns raised by critics of Rarara’s song.
The focus should be on comparing political records, presenting development plans and explaining why voters should support one candidate over another.
Attacking personalities risks deepening political divisions without necessarily convincing undecided voters.
The controversy has also highlighted the growing influence of political entertainers in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Over the years, musicians, comedians and social media personalities have become important tools for political mobilisation.
Their ability to communicate in local languages and connect emotionally with communities makes them valuable assets during elections. However, with influence comes responsibility.
The role of political musicians in Northern Nigeria has historically been complex.
Praise singers have long existed within Hausa society, documenting the activities of rulers, celebrating achievements and using music as a means of communication.
However, the modern political environment has transformed this tradition.
Today, political musicians are often directly associated with political parties, candidates and government officials.
Their success is sometimes linked to proximity to power, creating debates over whether their loyalty is to public interest or political patrons.
The criticism against Rarara has partly emerged from this debate.
Opponents accuse him of using his platform to attack political opponents rather than contribute to meaningful democratic discussion.
Supporters, however, argue that political musicians have always played advocacy roles and have the right to support candidates of their choice.
The disagreement reflects a larger question about where political mobilisation ends and personal attacks begin.
For Professor Pantami, the controversy has placed his public profile under renewed spotlight. Before entering partisan politics, Pantami had built a reputation as an Islamic scholar, academic and public speaker.
His appointment as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari elevated him into national political prominence.
His supporters often point to his role in digital reforms and technology policy, while his critics have raised questions about various aspects of his public record.
However, even among political opponents, there is acknowledgement that Pantami remains a highly influential figure whose support base extends beyond ordinary partisan structures.
This influence appears to be one of the reasons the controversy generated such strong reactions.
For his supporters, the attacks reinforced their belief that he was being targeted because of his political relevance.
For his opponents, the episode represents part of the intense political contest expected before 2027.
The larger political implication of the controversy is its possible impact on the contest between the APC and PDP in Gombe State.
The state has traditionally been an important political battleground, with parties relying heavily on grassroots structures, influential personalities and community networks.
The emergence of Pantami as the PDP candidate and Gwamna as the APC candidate has added a new dimension to the contest.
Both parties are expected to rely on their political structures, achievements, public messaging and candidate popularity to win voters.
The question now is whether the controversy surrounding Rarara will fade before the election or continue to influence political conversations.
For the APC, the challenge will be ensuring that its campaign remains focused on issues rather than becoming defined by reactions to controversies.
For the PDP, the opportunity is to convert the sympathy generated by the controversy into broader political support.
However, elections are rarely decided by a single event.
While the song has attracted significant attention, voters will ultimately consider multiple factors, including leadership credibility, economic concerns, security, local development and the strength of party structures.
Beyond Gombe State, the controversy provides a broader lesson about the changing nature of Nigerian politics.
The era of political campaigns driven purely by personality attacks is increasingly being challenged by citizens demanding more issue-based discussions.
Nigerians facing economic difficulties, insecurity and unemployment are increasingly interested in solutions rather than political entertainment.
The reaction to the song suggests that many citizens expect politicians and their supporters to engage in debates that respect public dignity.
Political competition is necessary in a democracy. Strong disagreements are part of democratic life.
But as several commentators noted, disagreements should challenge ideas, policies and records rather than descend into personal attacks.
Former Minister Solomon Dalung’s warning captures the concern of many observers: politics will come and go, governments will rise and fall, but the quality of public conversation determines the strength of democratic culture.
What started as a campaign song has become a national conversation about politics, religion, culture and responsibility.
Rarara’s attempt to shape political opinion around Professor Pantami has instead opened debates about the role of entertainers, the limits of political expression and the values expected in public discourse.
Whether the controversy will influence the outcome of the 2027 Gombe governorship election remains uncertain.
But one thing is clear: the episode has demonstrated the power of public perception in modern politics.
In politics, intentions do not always determine outcomes. Sometimes, the message sent is different from the message received.
For the APC, PDP, Rarara and Pantami, the controversy will likely remain a reference point as the journey towards 2027 continues.
The final judgment, as always, will not come from songs, social media debates or political speeches.
It will come from the voters.
And when the people of Gombe eventually make their choice, history will determine whether Rarara’s song was a political masterstroke or a campaign miscalculation that transformed an opponent’s challenge into an opportunity.