Why I didn’t shake hands with Kano gov — Ahmed Musa

Ahmed Musa, Super Eagles captain, has thrown light on a viral video, showing him rebuffing the handshake extended to him by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Musa was caught in the video shot during a courtesy visit to the Kano State Government House.

The former Leceister star, who shook hands with Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the deputy governor of the state, bowed while greeting Governor Abba Yusuf, ignoring the courtesy of a handshake.

Following reactions the video generated, the Super Eagles star, who was accused of disrespect has addressed the matter, describing it as cultural.

According to him, in a lengthy post, Musa wrote: “It has come to my attention that a moment captured almost a month ago, has unexpectedly become the center of attention on social media. It’s disheartening to see a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion.

“In our Northern culture, the gesture of kneeling, shaking hands, etc. signifies the highest form of respect. This was my intention when I greeted the Deputy Governor in such a manner. However, when it came to greeting the Governor, I chose to bow and not shake his hands, honouring him in a way that is deeply rooted in tradition.

“It’s unfortunate that amidst all the pressing issues our nation faces – economic hardships, security challenges, religious clashes and more – this seemingly insignificant moment has garnered so much attention. Even national media outlets like ARISE TV have jumped on the bandwagon, diverting focus from issues that truly matter- highly disappointing I must say.

“What’s even more disheartening are the comments questioning my respectfulness, especially from those who don’t know me personally. Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on where we choose to direct our energy. Shouldn’t it be towards finding solutions to the problems plaguing our society rather than getting caught up in needless distractions?

“I urge us all to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the real issues at hand. Let’s focus on uplifting one another, fostering unity, and working towards a better future for all. And with this, I rest my case.”