THE UNRAVELLING OF NORTHERN NIGERIA Northern Nigeria, the once powerful region has fallen from its grace. A people who have largely ruled the republic since independence in 1960 and have coined the word “born to rule” over the years, have become a shadow of its self in less than 13 years outside the mainstream of power in Nigeria. Out of the 15 past leaders of this country, 12 of them are from the northern region. These periods have been in the form of power succession since after the civil war, it is only Obasanjo and Shonekan who are not from the north have interjected its flow at one point or the other. This all important region of the country is in shambles, where it is looking for causes but itself to its present condition. I have always been of the view that the much acclaimed northern monotony is a facade and noting but a propaganda developed by the Hausa / Fulani to keep the minorities at its whims and caprices, under its over bearing influence for their political gains – in essence feeding from the crumbs falling from their political table. Today, the word “core northerners” have become prominent in the search of a consensus candidate for the post of presidency in opposition to a perceived Jonathans presidential ambition, as all those being considered none is from the minority group. It is only in the north that its leaders have subjected its people to poverty, illiteracy and political deprivation in order to perpetuate themselves in power. A situation where northern elite prefers to feed their people rather than empower them economically, by so doing keep these people at their beck and call, controlled and manipulated, is very absurd. A situation where 70% of their people live below poverty line, and the recent revelation that 80% of teachers in the north are illiterates; instead of bearing the responsibility of the low life in which they have subjected their people to live under, have rather chosen to trade blames, point fingers and brandish all sorts of conspiracy theory as to why the region have become poor. The north have unravelled; the middle belt forum (MBF) as a political group is becoming stronger and more independent of the so called “core north”, this followed Jonah Jiang declaration in interview published by GBOOZA in 4th august 2010 that there is no such thing as one north. The much acclaimed political power of the north is dwindling and the north has transited from being a major power broker to the biggest opposition group today. The largest military action since after the civil war is been carried out in the north toady where air strikes have been carried out for the first time in the northern region This led gen T.Y Danjuma to declare recently that there is civil war in the north and its politicians are confused. The north is not just confused but the lies on which the house is built on cannot hold any more. The northern minorities are realising that they are being used as pawns by their supposed Hausa/Fulani masters, the recent events in the NGF highlights this fact as Benue state; its people who have never hidden their displeasure for calling them northerners have finally pulled out of the group entirely, taking its destiny in its own hands. As this was not all, despite the declaration by one of the leaders of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof. Ango Abdullahi, that they have brought in the people of middle belt into the “northern agenda”, the Middle Belt Forum recently went to visit president Jonathan with a high powered delegation where they gave assurance of supporting the president if he declares his intention to run. Northern Nigeria is and will no longer be the same, the youths have become aware of the hypocrisy of its leaders, the minorities have decided to take their political future in their hand and the masses have become increasingly aware of their environment - this led the NEF to declare recently that president Jonathan is using divide and rule method against them to stay in power. However, problems like the Boko Haram, Ombatse , Almajiri, etc, will always remain in the north for the nearest future as these millions of ordinary people who increasingly want to take their future in their hands but lacks the tool (education) to do so will always resort to violence – the only available tool. This leaves the northern elite with the option of providing adequate education for its teaming youths, which will not only help them beat poverty but will make them independent of these leaders and removing all leverages that they may have over them. Finally unravelling the north, laying it bare and the region losing its political cohesiveness – a reality the northern political elite have fought against since pre-independence. Finally, I am of the view that this present prevailing situation, the status quo cannot stand. This leaves the leaders of the north with no other option than to empower their people economically, politically and socially, to stop seeing their people as wilful tools towards their political ends. If anything, the activities of Boko Hram, Ombatse and other groups have thought a lesson that even these illiterate ones will one day turn against them and their high offices can no longer protect them. The federal government and the generality of Nigerians should also see it as a patriotic duty to help in the emancipation of our brothers in the north out of poverty and political deprivation, as it is only when justice is applied to all that general security can be guaranteed. A political analyst and a social commentator
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 10:31:57 +0000
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