A video clip in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, appeared to have used the Hausa word “halaka” (“kill”) during his 2011 electioneering is now trending on YouTube.
His team has produced a counter video while Buhari himself has, in a telephone chat with TheCable, vehemently denied using the ‘halaka’ word, suggesting that the clip was doctored.
In the ‘halaka’ video, which lasts for one minute and 56 seconds, Buhari is seen addressing a crowd during his presidential campaign ahead of the 2011 election on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which is now part of the APC.
The exact date and location of the rally were not stated in the clip, which carries an NTA bug.
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Speaking in Hausa, Buhari appears to be saying: “Ku fita ku yi zabe. Ku Kasa, ku tsare, ku raka ku tsaya. Duk wanda bai yarda ba, ku halaka shi.”
The English subtitle which accompanies the video reads: “Firstly, you must register, come out and vote. You guard, protect, escort to the collation centre and you wait until the result is counted. Anyone who stops you, kill them!!! (Crowd chants wildly.)”
The YouTube video is generating some intense debate, with some commenters arguing over the connotative and denotative meanings of the word “halaka” in Hausa.
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“Halaka” means “kill” or “destroy”, but a commenter said: “It’s like kare jini, biri jini that he also used (in his statement that “the dog and the baboon getting soaked in blood” if the 2011 election was rigged). It’s completely taken out of context. That proverb means it’s going be a fight to the finish. Most of the Hausa vocabulary Buhari used are in everyday use, so if they are that bad, we won’t be using it in day-to-day talk.”
The video, uploaded on December 23, 2014 by one Adam Chukwu, generated 13,000 views in the first three days. By Tuesday, this had gone up to 24,000 views.
The clip displays scenes of riots that erupted after the 2011 election in which over 800 persons died, including 10 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
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There is no voice-over on the clip, apart from the background music, but these messages were displayed as commentary:
- In 2011, Presidential Candidate General Muhammadu Buhari called for Election Violence.
- He lost the democratic election.
- But achieved his dream of violence.
- General Muhammadu Buhari refused to condemn the outcome.
- General Muhammadu Buhari was recently confirmed as the APC’s presidential candidate in 2015.
Buhari denied responsibility for the killings then, while the report of the investigative panel set up by President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to be made public.
Meanwhile, Buhari has also sought to clarify claims that he was supporting violence in “the dog and baboon” metaphor he used during the 2011 campaigns.
At a recent social media forum, he said his use of the words kare jini, biri jini (literally dog blood, baboon blood) should be in the context of his voter education campaign.
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He said: “If you could recall, I said in the same place, Ku Kasa, ku tsare, ku raka ku tsaya. That means guard your vote. Go and vote. Stay where you vote. And make sure your vote counts. That is what I meant by kare jini, biri jini because the thugs of the PDP and INEC if they try to manipulate the figures, you are there, don’t allow it. So this is the meaning of kare jini, biri jini. I want people to make sure their votes count.”
The title of the video clip questions Buhari’s ability to lead Nigeria: “General Muhammadu Buhari’s calls for violence after the 2011 election led to mass bloodshed – is this the man we want to lead Nigeria?”
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TheCable understands that complaints have been lodged with YouTube over the video, with one complainant alleging that the clip was doctored, but the video has not been pulled.
Meanwhile, the Buhari team has also posted a video on YouTube in defence of the retired general, showing how he condemned the violence that erupted after the election.
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46 comments
Words are meant to be spoken. The truth of the matter is that we need change in this country and only GMB and prof. Osinbajo are the viable people to take us to the promise land.
I wander y a supposed states man wld want innocent citizenry to waste for no just cause.
even though GEJ is clueless like the opposition tag him, his achievements are far above board. so this time we are getting it right.
If America can not put an end to terrorism for over 14 years now and Buhari says he can do it in three months then one need to ask him this.
Are u the initiator of book haram?
if he claims he is not a corrupt leader what happen to the PTF money that got missing under his watch.
Finally, if he is a true states man, y can’t he help URB insurgency until he is elected into office.
Boko haram is a terrorist group within,the U.S is fighting terrorism outside their country no comparison.
With the NTA logo, it means it was broadcast on national TV.
Let NTA produce the original, plus if the admonition to kill was true, how come it is making news on 2014 if it was broadcast by NTA in 2011?
If the Jonathanians feel that Buhari incited the crowd to kill or committed treason, then they should ask their leader to order the security agencies to arrest him and charge him to court. We are tired of all these propaganda from indolent set of leaders. The security is bad, economy is bad, infrastructure is bad, unemployment figure is bad, the level of national debt burden is bad, the level of corruption is bad, level of wastage is bad, the polity is bad……
Gbam Bro!! Truth is bitter but a bitter truth is better than a sweet lie. People are critisizing Fr Mbaka for calling a spade a spade and involving in politics. The fact is that all he said are well known to all of us and he has not added or subtracted. Let us stop this diversionary politics and atleast if you do not like the Messenger, do the honourable thing to accept the message. He is John the Baptist of our time i.e the LONE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. If being political or involving in politics is fighting for the general well being of the overwhelming majority and fighting injustice, I am afraid he has no apology to render to anybody. This is the job the Lord has sent him to do and not doing so will be neglect of his duty. Other Men of God should follow suit and stop being politically correct. We need a change -as Nemo dat what non habet=-meaning you can not give what you do not have. I am afraid HE Dr Jonathan has limited capacity,tenacity of purpose, courage and can definitely not guarantee security of lives and properties-(the most important function) . To prolong his tenure is to further decimate our population significantly and cannibalise our territory and this is not acceptable. He cannot deal with corruption, as he has a big skeleton in his cupboard. It will be suicidal and self inflicted injury to let him continue. The choice is ours , either to end the agony now or continue with it for another long 4 years with the attendant damages. This is my humble submission to the discuss.
God bless you brother. Really, Nigerians claim of being religious is like an age long stone cast out of a sea, the body is wet but when cracked, the inner part is VERY DRY. Religion has never entered into our hearts (both Christians & Muslims). Nigerians should know that our destiny is in our hands. People like Asari Dokubo, Tompolo Edwin Clarke, Doyin Okupes, Ebenezer Babatopes, and host of others who have their investment abroad will sing the song of war, oh! Nigeria youths, do not be deceived. Do your best to defend this great nation. Pastors and Imams launched universities with your own hard earned money but your wards cannot attend. Why? Due to exorbitant fees. God bless Nigeria.
You are right. Doyin Okupe is an embarrassment to Nigeria image.One has to question how he got his degree.
You are right bro,but the truth of the matter is that Buhari is not a better option looking at his antecedents.
I wish the oposition had presented a better candidate
You are absolutely right
Violence by whatever name, in whatever shape, for whatever reason, ought to, and should be condemned.
My brother it is time we do away wt blackmail concerning GMB as dat will not help in this country at this time. All of us shld be sincere enough to admit the fact dat this govt has failed Nigerins. This not a mata of religion, olitical party or tribe. Fact is dat we need a change for gud n God has provided GMB for dis moment. Nigerians shld wake up and do the needful. Vote GMB n his running mate. GOD BLESS NIGERIA N NIGERIANS.
PDP is becoming desperate and throwing all sorts of fabricated rubbish against GMB, because GEJ complained to them that Buhari is gaining momentum in the social media.
The consensus of the majority of voters is President Goodluck Jonathan has failed woefully to protect and secure the life of Nigerians and his administration has the worst record of children out of school in the world with over 10 million Nigerian children out of school And majority of Nigerian youths are jobless and poorer.
we should trade with caution and not be carried away by man’s outward appearance. Politics is not violent.I hope it will not be change to worst.
That President Jo can’t release the report of the panel on 2011 riot four years after tells the story.
One thing the PDP fail to understand is that people are wiser than they think and we are not deceived with all this there cork and bull story, what we need in Nigeria at this point is change and the change has come so we are not going with failed leaders any longer. We need change we need APC we need General Muhammad Buhari
R people still watching NTA? The worst side of NTA is evrything dy do includin dre news is always topsy-turvy…In case u want a genuine TV station 2 watch news,count NTA out bcos its PDP’s TV station 4 now…
Baseless accusations. Horrible translation of the hausa language. Is NTA really a news station?
We expect more this.
What the masses want now is CHANGE.
We do not care about this propaganda.
Bcos, my SON in Basic 4 is more composed than the incubent man at the helm of affairs of this number one africa country.
If they like let them bring the one that Buhari used to organized coupe with Idiagbon.
Halaka ko, sadaka ni.
You will do more to change our mind about GMB.
Dont stop the moving train.
what kind of change will GBM bring now? he has been there don’t it we don’t competent person to lead our country in the right direction so as to bring change we all want and talk about
Only righteousness exalts a nation. Not GEJ or GMB exalt a nation. Every one of us must andI say again must all return to this God desired virtue to find the desired nation we long for. This same personalities we are criticizing or applauding did not fall down from heaven or ascended from hell. They are both both vomited from a system which all of us contributed to produce. So why not all work toward a change society by looking up to God if we truly desire a sincere change. Let all stand on the centre line and let see which direction our eyes will be raise. TO GOD ? or to GEJ/GMB
Right on target, except perhaps the allusion to God. We should accept that the problem with NIGERIA is neither divine nor with our leaders but with the masses. Corruption is part of Nigerian culture, so is hedonism and indolence. Our leaders are products of the society and until the masses themselves decide to change, all this noise about change to a so-called better party is all hypocrisy. GMB can never change NIGERIA for the better. He has nothing to offer except poor rhetorics about anti-corruption and a really rural world outlook. Caveat Emptor. Buyer Beware.
PDP under GEJ has lost on all ground & they are trying to survive by all means no wonder they are trying to pull the personality of GMB down however the more they do that the more popular he becomes.The earlier they begin to trend on issues the better for them,probably they had forgotten that GMB is a former head of state in this country which he sustained.GEJ & his cohorts should lead the country based on issues rather than actions based on religious,ethnicity & personal sentiments being brandished all about.
Unemployment in nigeria didnt nt start during GEJ time he has even tried to reduce it. Be objective. Although he has nt done enough bt he is far better than the previous presidents.
All these accusations are baseless. No amount of systematic unfounded blackmail,l aimed at destroying the personal image of GMB will stop us voting for him. The simple fact is “WE NEED CHANGE”.
@Dd.Indeed if GEJ has performed more than the previous govt.then GEJ & PDP should be home & dry in this year election.However,i would have expected that if your statement is true,it would be obvious to all & not only you.Secondly,i want to believe that people like you & PDP as a party would rather canvass on these issues than resulting to character assassination to convince some of us who are ready to take an informed decision devoid of sentiment based on religion;ethnicity or party affiliation.
PDP’s method is to preached for non violence, and so also frame Buhari as d master mind of 2011 election violence; nd rigged d election.
Does Samsung talk about LG? Does Sony talk about sharp? Does maggi talk about Knorr?does Apple talk about Microsoft?? Why do PDP spend all their time talking about APC and Buhari?
Geez! You guys should stop comparing politics to all these brands- it’s ridiculousand unfounded
So u are saying APC never talk about PDP? I listen to the news everyday and since 2011, APC’s Lai Mohammed & Co has had something negative to say about PDP and GEJ every single day.
The GMB supporters here can say whatever they like in his defence; they can feign ignorance and deny all the achievements of GEJ, and GMB himself may expend all his energy and oratory skills to explain away the clear meaning of his statement, yet the truth is the TRUTH. We the electorate know who says what and who does what. We may be silent and calmed but that does not mean we are foolish, stupid and ignorant. To the GMB die hards I have news for you: We the ELECTORATES know who between GEJ and GMB is capable of bringing the needed positive and lasting change that we all are clamouring for, and come February we shall lay this argument to a final rest. No hard feelings at all.
I agree no less with you Nura. We are watching and gathering facts to shape our decision. God help us to one man one vote.
Time up for incompetency of PDP. Oh Lord enthrone, two honest men to rule the affairs of this country. No more corruption,. Justice and rule of law will reign again.
Hahahhah! PDP dnt los control oooo!u cn say anytin abt him bt we no go bliv u PDP dis tym, change change change
Hey! PDP stop wasting your time its over what ever you people PDP will say is mere lies. we are tired of corruption, killings, kidnapping. we are tired tired tired
GEJ as far as putting the Economy on the right part is not doing badly, if he was, the GMB and APC would have taken him up on this and giving us sound alternatives. They have not , but have fixed their gaze on Security (no fault of the present govt) and “corruption” (we are all guilty, check the NASS). While I will not sit and say GEJ is a saint or God send, I will also not agree that we have an opposition that is. We shout and praise that GMB is corruption free, hmmmm but are we really sure? Many are they who worked with him or under him in PTF that made huge fortunes (HUGE). What of those behind him in APC? Are they any different from PDP? At best they rode on PDP to limelight and now profess sainthood. But the foundation is faulty! . My question that we should ask APC or (ACN+PDP=APC) is Why did the merger and support for GMB collapse in 2011? , why did ACN decide to support GEJ even when they said he was not a good Leader? Why did they hang Nuhu Ribadu out to dry? What did Tunde Bakare do wrong????
Now GMB again ? He said he was done with Nigerian politics, in 2011 he said he would not contest another election , is the General’s word his bond?
Now from Tunde Bakare to another man of God as my Christian brothers would say, YemiOsinbajo, are we not seeing another repeat or should I say remix? Or as it is now in the media called Season 2? I wonder when people will learn or maybe we just refuse to learn. I thought that mistakes are to be learnt from. If we so much desire honest politicians in the opposition why not go for people who practiced politics in the past. I would have suggested a Femi Falana as VP for Buhari, but of a truth his level of “no corruption” May worry most of APC. So we are stuck with the face of Yemi Osinbajo but the voice of ABAT. “We need change” we need change” change to what? From German shepherd to Dobber man ? All na still dog. In 2011 I campaigned and shouted myself hoarse for GMB, now I will rather stick to GEJ. WHY? I am looking forward, I think GMB has bid his time, and should embrace retirement, ?
If we truly want to fight corruption we should start fighting it through those who “represent us” in the NASS. IF THEY CANT , THEN THEY SHOULD CEASE TO REPRESENT US! If we want change we can use labour force.
Bottom line is we should not just crave for change, but know what we seek to change to.
Dis same buhari was d one dat destroyed democracy n civilian rule by overthrowing shagari. so what does he want in a democratic certain again. is it dat he want to take power and hand it over to d military again
Seriously I don’t trust GMB, look @ the likes of people working with him, are they not all from PDP? Same corrupt set of people, I would have loved It if APC presented people like Lagos state Governor. He buhari brought the demise of civilian govt, to me I rather stick with devil I know than wine and dine with an angel I don’t know, funny enough the angel has some questionable character. I really wish presented another candidate other than Buhari. well let’s pray for violence free election. God bless the federal Republic of Nigeria
GEJ is the worst president this nation will ever produce. Nothing is working under his govt except corruption and lootings. We need a change now. Nigerians be wise.
Thank you Nigerians for all your comments. In my own view,PDP wouldn’t hv had this problem if president Jonathan has gone through the primary GMB went through. If we don’t want Jonathan or Buhari, can any Nigerian youth of experience be produce so that we youth can have our own candidate in this election. Enough of our leader dividing us along, religion and tribalism. God bless Nigeria.
Like play like play Buhari go loss this election again o
Like play like play our good luck Jonathan go win this election again o
Like play like play we go donate hanker chiefs to Buhari to comet cartarh from him nose again o
I don,t care what you ppl are saying here, i know Gej regime ,light manageable,Train has started moving,agriculture is back,education is better,roads are more better. so don,t tell me he has not done anything that are lies
@only me…no need for me to even reply ur comment again…bcos accordin to ur name u said “only me” so is only dat jona do all dis things for…cos nobody can support u wit all dis achievement ur president has done for u…ur president spent 6yrs in power witout any tangible things…in his tenure alone we cannot count no. Of ppl dat die,hwmany tyms lecturer went on strike,same thing to d health worker,bomb evrywia…kai naija is tired of dis bad luck…let him go n relax n enjoy d money he siphoned frm our pocket….GMB 4life….
All we need do is to pray that God in His own way visit and settle nigeria by eliminating all evil doers of this nation.
THE AGONY AND FEAR OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT IS KILLING.
I HAVE READ WITH NOSTALGIA THE POSITION OF MOST COMMENTATORS HERE AND FOUND OUT THAT SOME LACK MERIT AND SOME SPOKE REASONABLY, BUT THE QUESTION I PERSONALLY WANT TO ASK US HERE IS, WHEN JONATHAN BECAME THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY, DID WE HAVE MOVING TRAINS? BUT TODAY THE TRAINS ARE BACK ON THE TRACKS IS THAT NOT AN ACHIEVEMENT?, THE FARMERS NOW GET FERTILIZERS AT REDUCED PRICES WITHOUT THE MIDDLE MEN TAKING THE UPPER HAND AND SELLING TO THEM AT CUT-THROAT PRICES WHICH OF THE PAST PRESIDENTS DID THIS TO OUR FARMERS CANT WE BE JUST FAIR TO THIS MAN FOR ONCE, WE HAVE CALLED HIM NAMES AT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION BUT IF WE MUST TELL OURSELVES THE TRUTH, ALL THESE MEN THAT ARE CLUSTERING AROUND BUHARI, ARE THEY NOT THE SAME PEOPLE THAT MADE JONATHAN’S GOVT. WHAT IT IS TODAY?, DID THEY JOIN THE APC AND BECAME SAINTS OVERNIGHT?, TINUBU AS THE LEADER OF APC, STOLE ALL THE MONEY THAT ACCRUED TO LAGOS STATE IN HIS 8 YEAR RULE IN THE STATE. CHIBUIKE AMECHI AS RIVERS STATE GOV. FOR 8 YEARS NOW, HAS HE DONE ANY TANGIBLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE AND HOW HAS HE TURNED A SAINT BECAUSE HE JOINED APC FROM PDP THE LIST IS ENDLESS. IF BUHARI HAS NOT TRUNCATED OUR DEMOCRACY IN 1983, NIGERIA COULD HAVE GONE FAR FROM ITS PRESENT STATE TODAY WHAT ARE WE ALL SAYING HERE, LET US TELL OURSELVES THE TRUTH, IF BUHARI IS THE CHANGE WE NEED, THE MEN AROUND HIM ARE NOT FIT TO BE WITH HIM BECAUSE IF HE IS CORRUPT-FREE, THE MEN WITH HIM ARE STINKING CORRUPT MEN AND WOMEN AND MUST DEFINITELY CORRUPT HIM AND HE HIMSELF WILL BECOME CORRUPT. I WANT ALL OF US YOUTHS TO BE CAREFUL IF WE WANT A BETTER NIGERIA, THE CROP OF MEN MINGLING THEMSELVES AROUND BUHARI ARE DANGEROUS MEN MOSTLY TINUBU, AMECHI, OBY EZEKWESILI WHO RUBBISHED OUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION AND OUR STOCK MARKET, WHERE IS THEIR INTEGRITY TO TALK OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA BEING CORRUPT THEMSELVES, OUR PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY IN A PROVERB THST HE WHO MUST COME TO EQUITY, MUST COME WITH A CLEAN HAND, ARE THESE PEOPLES’ HANDS CLEAN? PLEASE I NEED ANSWERS. NIGERIAN YOUTHS BEWARE, I DON’T BELONG TO ANY POLITICAL PARTY AND MOST TIMES I DON’T VOTE BECAUSE MY VOTE WON’T COUNT, BUT FOR THIS 2015 ELECTION, I MUST VOTE AND I WILL VOTE MY CONSCIENCE.