Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Many stalwarts of New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP in Fagge Local Government area in Kano state have kicked against the proposed mass circumcision programme, sponsored by Mohammad Bello Shehu, member representing Fagge federal constituency at the House of Representatives.

KANO FOCUS reports that Circumcision in Hausa society is traditionally conducted on boys, mostly under ten years during harmattan season.

However, the member representing Fagge federal constituency, popularly known as MB Shehu, decided to use this harmattan season to sponsor circumcision of over 1000 boys across the 11 wards of the constituency.

The unprecedented programme had been launched on Sunday at Ofishin Galadima Primary Healthcare Centre, Fagge B ward.

However, the programme had sparked wide outrage from oppositions and the NNPP supporters, including the party’s stakeholders in the constituency.

The aggrieved supporters expressed fear whether the lawmaker, who was recently affirmed by Appeal Court, would fulfill his campaign promises to his constituents who came out en mass to vote for him in the February 25th election.

One of the MB Shehu’s campaigners, Ibrahim Usaini, expressed disgust over the proposed exercise, saying “this is shameful”.

According to Mr Usaini, at a time when the constituents are feeling the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal, Mr MB Shehu should have proposed distribution of palliative to his people, not mass circumcision of children that had never been done before.

Mr Usaini added that while his colleagues in other constituencies had already gone far in executing developmental projects for the betterment of their constituents, Fagge constituency is yet to see the MB Shehu’s good representation at the green chamber.

“Some members of the House of Representatives are distributing palliatives such as food and empowerment schemes to their constituents. Some are even distributing motorcycles and tricycles, unfortunately, our Rep has not shown any sign of fulfilling his campaign promises.

“Look at how he has now proposed to conduct mass circumcision programme as constituency project. I have never seen this before. Circumcision has never been our problem.

“Distribute palliatives to your constituency. Show them appreciation for the overwhelming support they showed you during election. Come up with empowerment schemes for youths and women.

” But what is the benefit of this circumcision programme? I have never seen when parents can not afford their son’s circumcision. I call on MB Shehu to rescind this plan,” Usaini, popularly known as Lalin urged.

Another NNPP stalwart, Basiru Chile, said in this material time, MB Shehu should look at critical issues within the constituency and address them squarely.

Mr Chile advised the lawmaker to sustain his commitments to support the constituents during his electioneering campaign, not to allow the people see it as he was doing it to get their votes.

According to Mr Chile, MB Shehu should look at the issue of empowerment, education support, health and security at the beginning of his tenure, not to waste his resources and time on issues kike circumcision.

“During his electioneering campaigns, MB Shehu performed well by touching the lives of the people of Fagge, and even beyond.

“However, as he won election, he should not do things that would cast doubt in the minds of the people that voted for him overwhelmingly.

“I am not in support of this mass circumcision programme. I am totally against it. There are more pressing issues than this trivial one. Circumcision has never been out problem. It is not up to N2,000. This is a common household expenditure that has never been a burden to the Hausa people.

” Let him look at other problems and address them, if he wants to continue for the next tenure. He should show appreciation for the overwhelming support he got from the people of Fagge Local Government.

“I advised him to sustain the commitments he initiated before he was elected as the member representing Fagge federal constituency,” Mr Chile advised.

Mr Chile urged Mr MB Shehu to pay attention to health and job provision to the teeming youths to avoid restiveness in the constituency and beyond.

The issue of the proposed programme had become a topic of discourse in Fagge constituency as oppositions mock the NNPP lawmaker and his supporters over the plan.

When contacted for comment, MB Shehu clarified that the circumcision exercise is not in any way part of constituency project, disclosing that he sponsored it out of his pocket money.

According to him, the idea behind the programme was borne out of a request from a constituent, who asked the lawmaker to help him with money to pay for his three children’s circumcision.

“When i received the man’s request, i developed the idea of organizing a mass circumcision to support parents who could n