Islamic singer Ibraheem Labaeka resigns as Kwara governor’s special assistant, says he can’t keep collecting salaries for doing nothing

A popular Islamic cleric and singer Ibraheem Abdulhameed also known as Labaeka, has officially resigned from his position as Special Assistant, Artiste to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The resignation was confirmed in a letter dated September 12, 2023.

In his letter, Abdulhameed expressed his frustration with the role, stating that he had not been given a clear schedule of duties or the opportunity to perform his responsibilities.

“I cannot continue to break that trust by taking a salary for doing nothing,” he wrote, signalling his disappointment with the lack of clarity surrounding his position.

The letter reads, “I am writing this letter with all sense of humility and gratitude for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Special Assistant, Artiste, in your cabinet.

“Having served in this capacity for a period of 1 year and 7 months, I wish to respectfully tender my resignation.”

He continues, “Your Excellency, as you may recall, I was offered an appointment to serve as your Special Assistant, Artist, on 6th January 2023. I accepted the offer because I saw it as a call to service and an opportunity to showcase my talents.

“Regrettably, I have not been able to achieve any of these things. Aside from the fact that I don’t have a specific schedule of duty, circumstances have not availed me the opportunity to perform my responsibilities maximally.”

He added “since my appointment is based on public trust, I cannot continue to break that trust by taking a salary, for doing nothing”.

“As an Islamic cleric. it is against my beliefs, and I haven’t been at peace with myself. So, I want my salary to be stopped immediately,” he said.

“I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me, and I hope that one day, I will be able to fully utilize my talents for the development of our state.”

The development has generated mixed reactions as many commended him for being a good example of what an upright leader should be.

@memumsister on Instagram said; “This is a difficult decision to make👏 you gave up the gain and comfort that comes with keeping such a job. May Almighty Allah reward you for this is a Jihad of the highest order.”

Another user @nursemahmud wrote; “May Almighty Allah bless you. This is the type of person we call Muslim. Oni otito eyan”

@Irunnia_, an X user said; “Lots of people in political positions doing nothing but still collect salary while the masses suffer. Tell me how country want better.”

@_iOlatunde reacted; “It means you aren’t creative and should definitely not be in that office, and it’s good that you have decently resigned from that position. If you were creative, you would see that there is much to be done. This resignation seems like an attempt to embarrass the Kwara State Government.”

@JoinPhotonPhill wrote; “That’s commendable, people needs to resign for their incompetence. The boss want as many purpets as possible so that he will always have options from whom he can send to do his dirty works.

“Resigning is setting yourself free because like he mentioned, being paid salary for doing nothing, and a day will come when the governor will send him to do bad PR and if he question his authority. The SA will be reminded that he has been collecting salary for doing absolutely nothing, in such a situation, he will have not other option than to do whatever he’s asked off.

“He might as well be threatened and he will caught in a spider web and be like other wicked souls we call politicians. That’s how Nigeria corruption spread to even the unborn generation.”

“Money and responsibilities no dey Special assistant unlike special adviser, but public expectations on anything attached to political and government in Nigeria is crazy to the point that you would be using your personal finances to sort out the public. I can understand your decision. Best of luck,” @lekan_yussef on Instagram commented.