By Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has reacted to the viral clips of him exploring London streets, explaining that his actions were intentional and aimed at sending a message to his political opponents back home.
In the trending videos, Doguwa was seen touching random objects, waving at residents, and strolling around London with a broad smile — a display that quickly drew mixed reactions online.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, the Kano lawmaker said the videos were not about excitement or showing off but a creative way of communicating with his rivals, especially those in his Doguwa/Tudun Wada constituency.
“I travelled to London at a time when I wanted to send a message to some politicians, particularly those who have turned politics into hostility and hatred,” Doguwa explained. “It was directed at some of our political opponents in Doguwa and Tudun Wada who often play politics without direction.”
He said the videos were meant to be light-hearted but symbolic.
“I made those videos to unwind and to show them that, whether they like it or not, I remain their representative. It was a playful message — and yes, it has been received.”
Earlier in the week, the internet buzzed with clips showing Doguwa walking through London’s streets, tapping on buildings, waving at strangers, and holding an umbrella and prayer beads. Another clip showed him in his hotel room running his hands across surfaces in amusement while eating an apple.
While some Nigerians — especially from Kano — mocked his behavior as “villager-like,” others found it humorous and harmless.
Responding to the criticisms, Doguwa said his actions were deliberate and that people misunderstood his intentions.
“I’m not new to international travel,” he said. “But this time, I wanted to send a subtle political message — to show my confidence and peace of mind despite all the noise back home.”
Asked if the videos embarrassed his family, Doguwa laughed and said his relatives know his playful personality.
“My family understands me. They know I have a humorous side. When they saw the videos, they simply laughed because they knew it was part of my political communication,” he said.
He further explained that politics should always connect with the people’s local realities.
“Politics, as the British say, is local. You have to engage your people in a way they understand. When I’m at home, I speak and act in their language. But when I represent Nigeria abroad, you’ll see a different side of me — speaking fluent English and representing the country with pride.”
Doguwa also expressed gratitude to his parents for giving him both Western and Islamic education, saying the blend shaped his worldview.
“My parents gave me a balance of modern and religious education. That background makes it easy for me to fit in anywhere. I’m proud to be one of the few politicians from Kano who can confidently represent our people on any global stage,” he added.
