Kano — In northern Nigeria - far away from the military action in the Gulf, there appears to be overwhelming condemnation of U.S. President George W. Bush and his intentions in Iraq.
AllAfrica's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton is traveling around the northern states of Nigeria to report on the current election campaign, ahead of polls next month. In the influential states of Kaduna and Kano, she heard the views of local people apparently deeply concerned about the war.
Sakina Mohammed is a 20 year old market trader. Serenely watching the mad rush all about her in the central market in the city of Kano, she became stony-faced and unequivocal when it came to a discussion on America's war on Iraq.
America has declared war on Iraq and President Saddam Hussein, saying that he has weapons of mass destruction and murder. What do you think of this?
America is determined to invade Iraq for no just cause. So may Allah destroy America. And may Allah bring success to Iraq, being a Muslim country and we are Muslims.
Is the only reason you support President Saddam Hussein because he is a Muslim as you are? What if Saddam Hussein were a Christian and America was going to invade Iraq? Would you support him then?
I am supporting Saddam because he is a Muslim and I am a Muslim. That's why I'm supporting him.
Is that a good enough reason?
Yes, it is the right one.
Bashiru Usman, a trader in rice, sugar and other essential commodities, was eager to give allAfrica his views, rushing forward and donning his hat for a photograph in the busy main market in Kano.
What are your views on what is happening between the United States and Iraq?
I don't like it at all. This is aggression by America and England. They are going to show their aggression to Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein is a very honest person, a very strong person.
How do you know?
Because they have already fought him before, in 1991, in the first Gulf war. Saddam Hussein has tried to defend his own country. This is the habit of a brave man, to defend his country.
Do you think Saddam Hussein will win?
He will win, Insh'Allah, we are praying for him. We are calling on God to give him courage and strength.
What about the information that Iraq has or may have weapons of mass destruction?
Saddam Hussein, we already know that he has no (weapons of) mass destruction. Because agents of the United Nations like Hans Blix and Mohammed El Baradei have already been in Iraq and have investigated everywhere in Iraq. And Saddam Hussein himself has told the United Nations that they don't have any kind of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
Mohammed Kassim, 21, an irrepressible young man with outspoken views, simply could not hold himself back as his elders addressed journalists on Washington's decision to go to war with Iraq. In the small, dark office of the Kano Market Traders' Association, Kassim jumped forward and, in a breathless stream, spoke in defence of the Iraqi president.
Saddam Hussein is straightforward in defending the rights of his people. That is why we like Saddam Hussein. We like him very much. We like Saddam Hussein, we like him very much.
What do you mean he's straightforward?
He is there to defend the rights of his people, that is why I say he is straightforward.
What about the fact that Iraq has had, or may still have, weapons of mass destruction and that President Saddam invaded Kuwait in the past, prompting the first Gulf war? What about all those factors?
This is something that has gone, in the past. America must just forget about this.
But you accept that it might be very hard for the Kuwaitis to forget, perhaps, that they were invaded by neighbouring Iraq and may still feel under threat - surely?
I don't know how to answer this question. I just say this matter is supposed to be forgotten.
What do you say about the potential risks to the lives of Iraqis and the possibility that many people may die if there is a war?
This is absolutely not good. This is absolutely not good.
Who do you blame?
I blame America and Britain and at the same time Spain.
Do you think President Saddam Hussein should have left Iraq, after the American ultimatum that he should go into exile, to avoid a war?
No, I don't support him to leave Iraq. Because, even if he goes somewhere else, they will go there and trap him.
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Nura Habib, an older man, also wanted his opinions to be recorded.
I am a Muslim, so I am interested in Saddam, fully interested. I also want to explain to American people and their leader about this war that they are going to get involved in.
You say it is because you are a Muslim? What if President Saddam were a Christian, would you still support him?
Well I would support him, because America wants to impose something that is out of law, it is injustice, it is an imposement. I can't believe that a very strong country like America wants to impose injustice on a country like Iraq. Because, if you consider and compare Iraq and America, it is not going to be comparable.
What about the facts of the past, President Adam's behaviour, the fact that he once invaded Kuwait, which led to the first Gulf war.
If you go back to history, we can simply understand that Kuwait and Iraq are one country. Some things separated them and made them different countries. So, if a leader wants to amalgamate two countries as his own, it is very simple. But does that make it right?
It's right, because it was his own country before and he wants to take it back.
