Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has ignited fresh debate over the tone of political discourse in Northern Nigeria, condemning a controversial song targeting former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami, as a dangerous departure from the region’s long-standing culture of dignity, civility and respectful political engagement.
In a strongly worded statement on his Facebook Wall, Dalung said the song crossed the line between legitimate political criticism and character assassination, warning that the growing acceptance of abusive political propaganda threatens the moral fabric of the North.
His intervention comes amid heightened political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political songs and social media campaigns increasingly being deployed by supporters and critics of prominent Northern political figures to influence public opinion.
Dalung lamented that political music in the North, once respected as a vehicle for public enlightenment and civic mobilisation, had now degenerated into a platform for insults, ridicule and unverified allegations.
“There was a time when political songs in the North inspired, educated and mobilized. 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.
Although he did not defend Pantami’s political positions, Dalung insisted that disagreements in a democratic society must be driven by facts rather than personal abuse.
“If Sheikh Pantami is wrong, challenge him with facts. If his politics are inconsistent, expose the inconsistencies. If his public statements deserve scrutiny, scrutinize them,” he said.
He argued that reducing political engagement to insults and damaging insinuations weakens democratic debate and undermines the values that have historically defined Northern political culture.
The former minister expressed concern that many applauding the controversial song would have reacted differently had similar language been directed at politicians they support.
“What worries me most is not this one song. It is the applause it has received from people who would have condemned the same language if it had been directed at someone they admire. Principles are only meaningful when they apply equally to friends and opponents,” he stated.
Dalung said the North has always prided itself on the values of adabi (good manners), kunya (modesty) and respect for human dignity, warning that those virtues should not be sacrificed on the altar of political rivalry.
He cautioned that once indecency becomes an accepted campaign strategy, rebuilding a culture of respectful disagreement would become increasingly difficult.
“We cannot claim to be defending Northern values while celebrating conduct that erodes the very values our elders taught us. Politics will come and go. Governments will rise and fall. But once we normalize indecency as a campaign strategy, rebuilding a culture of respectful disagreement becomes far more difficult,” he warned.
Dalung concluded by calling on political actors, musicians and their supporters to elevate the standard of public discourse, insisting that democracy thrives on robust debate, not personal attacks.
“Our disagreements should sharpen our intellect, not coarsen our character. The North deserves a higher standard of politics than this.”
Political songs have long played a significant role in Northern Nigeria’s electoral and cultural landscape, often serving as tools for voter mobilisation, public education and political messaging. Traditionally, while praise singers openly celebrated political leaders or criticised opponents, they largely avoided explicit personal insults, relying instead on satire, wit and cultural symbolism.
In recent years, however, political communication has become increasingly confrontational, with songs, social media content and online campaigns frequently featuring harsh personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric. The latest controversy involving a song directed at Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami has sparked renewed debate over the boundaries of free political expression, ethical campaigning and the preservation of Northern cultural values as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.