The video, which went viral , captured the governor speaking in Hausa language, instructing a security operative to slap and arrest the man.
According to a statement, the governor’s Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, clarified that the man in question was an impostor attempting to impersonate an Imam.
Wakaso stated that the man had apologized to both the governor and the forum of Imams for his behavior and confirmed that he was neither slapped nor arrested.
She explained that the state government had initially chosen not to engage in the controversy due to the mourning period. However, they felt compelled to correct the misconceptions about the governor’s actions.
Wakaso criticized the continued attacks on Governor Bago’s character by some media outlets, calling them unfortunate and uncalled for. She defended the governor’s actions as necessary to prevent the Fidua prayer from being disrupted.
She further disclosed that the fake cleric had been a supporter of the governor, who had attempted to empower him several times. His overzealous behavior was an attempt to gain the governor’s attention.
She said he has shown remorse and requested forgiveness from both the governor and the forum of Imams. The governor’s actions were driven by respect for the deceased, the purpose of the gathering, and the need to preserve the sanctity of the Fidua Prayer.