“I Have My Own Small Company That Pays All My Bills, I Never Depend On Anyone” — Bashir Ahmad Finally Replies Jaafar Jaafar After Being Told To Quit Hanging Around Power

Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has finally replied to veteran journalist and founder of Daily Nigerian, Jaafar Jaafar, after Jaafar advised him to quit hanging around power and return to journalism or business after leaving Buhari’s Villa.

The row started after Hon. Bello El-Rufai claimed in a Facebook post that Bashir Ahmad was grumbling about being left out of President Bola Tinubu’s government. Bashir denied it, saying he never had such a conversation with Bello.

Jaafar Jaafar then weighed in, saying it is not surprising if Bashir complained because anyone who campaigned and is left with nothing will grumble. Jaafar recounted how when Kwankwaso’s government ended in 2015, he was not re-appointed by Ganduje, he withdrew to Abuja to hustle, rejected Ganduje’s appointment offer in 2016, returned to journalism and built Daily Nigerian. He said he didn’t get half of what Bashir got under Buhari — Jaafar held a small state position while Bashir was in the Presidential Villa with many opportunities — yet he chose dignity over sycophancy. He advised Bashir, who is still young, to do the same and not hang where he is not wanted.

In his response in his verified Facebook page, Bashir Ahmad said he has tried many times to explain what he has been doing in life, especially after leaving his job as aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, but Allah had not given him the ability to do so until now.

He said he later understood that perhaps not explaining everything he does is better for him. This is because he noticed that anything about his life, no matter how small, becomes a big issue to hundreds of people, both those who know him and those who don’t.

“Gradually I understood that however you see people as friends or close to you, not everyone wants to see you continue to succeed in life. And this should not bother a person. What is more important is you know where you want to go and you continue moving,” Bashir wrote.

He said the job he did in the past opened doors of blessings he can never quantify. It connected him with wealthy and respectable people for which he can only thank Allah.

Bashir stated that like every educated person with thinking and vision, he too has a plan in life. He is working hard to achieve his goals, and some of the goals Allah has already fulfilled for him.

“I have a job. I have my own small company which, Alhamdulillah, can pay all my needs. Since after I left my previous job, I have never found myself in a situation where a need arose which I used to be able to pay before but now I cannot. Alhamdulillah!” he said.

He disclosed that his company, which provides consultancy and strategic services especially in modern communication, has received great favour. They even get jobs from outside Nigeria. “This is a blessing for which I am very grateful to Allah,” he added.

Bashir said he never planned or wanted his life to be dependent on seeking solutions from other people. And Allah has already blessed him with what he will do for himself, and he is working hard to build it now and in the future.

“Allah is a witness, most of the time if something connects me with those holding power, I try to avoid how it can be interpreted in another way. Sometimes even pictures are taken with some people I don’t want out, because I am thinking of how people will interpret them,” he revealed.

He said he has come to understand that you can never control how people will interpret your life entirely. In the eyes of some, he is trying too hard to continue to stay close to the government more than necessary, even though they don’t want him. While others have a different understanding of him.

“But I have understood that all this should not stop a person from continuing his life,” Bashir said.

“Anytime I reflect on my life, I confirm one thing: whatever you do in life, ensure you do it for Allah and for yourself, your ambition and what you believe in. Because however you try to explain your life to people, they will never understand it completely. And it is not necessary that they must understand you. What is more important is Allah knows what is in your heart, He knows your intention, and He knows where you want to go,” he concluded.

He prayed: “May Allah continue to open for us ways of earning halal, bless what we own, increase us in beneficial wealth, protect us from depending on people, and give us the ability to succeed without humiliating ourselves. Amin.”

The exchange between the two influential Northern voices has continued to spark debate on life after power, dignity, and self-reliance.