The problems of the ‘North‘ and other issues

By Adisa Adeleye
The arguments in favour of ‘zoning‘ as a special creation of the ruling party (PDP) for equitable distribution of power and all that goes with it (wealth) among their members have been faulted in many quarters.

The opposition has arisen because of the insistence by some party members, especially from the North, that the next President should come from their area in recognition of the agreed formula for sharing national booty, especially the proceeds of oil and gas which nature has endowed the Niger Delta area of Nigeria.

Perhaps, the minds of many commentators on national affairs (myself included) might have been disturbed by what appears as unpleasant distraction because of the baffling but constant demand for a Northern President in 2011.

The anger and anxiety arising from such demand, irrespective of the fact that the incumbent President is from the same Party, needs to be carefully examined in its historical and political perspective.

It may be that in our anxiety to be more Nigerian than the others, we tend to forget that unpleasant but brutal fact that this country is yet to evolve a common identity as a nation. The journey, after fifty years, still remains tortuous and dangerous.

Let the real facts be observed – there are serious ethnic problems in this country created by accidents of history, incidents of politics and the rascality and recklessness of politicians.

The British brought us together in 1914, introduced politics into Lagos and Calabar in 1920s (through elections) and the rest of the country in the 1950s.  Independence was granted to the country in 1960 and the Nigerian politicians took over the mantle of government after and created problems in an attempt to forge artificial unity.

The Ibo problem arose from initial difficulty of that race to integrate fully socially and culturally, with its hosts in the North and Western parts of the country. The Biafran war was the culmination of a palpable misunderstanding between Ibos and others on the road to development and unity of the country.

It is admirable that the civil war ended on the sonorous song of ‘No Victor, No Vanquished‘ and that this fine and hardworking race has fully reestablished itself in the country which its past leaders have helped to build and develop.

Many observers are of the opinion that with the appearance of the Ibo talented representatives in many aspects of Nigerian life,  including the hierarchy of the military, would suggest that the famed ‘Ibo Problem‘ has almost completely disappeared, leaving that sturdy race with its innovative mind to flourish in a United States of Nigeria.

However, a simple but complex question may arise from the inability to reconcile the desire and economic ascendancy with the pursuit of political leadership in a volatile environment.

The politically conscious and naturally rich people of South_West of Nigeria had no inherent problems, except those which were self_inflicted.  The fun_loving people _ descendants of a great mythical man Oduduwa, took pride in early Western education and produced professionals when other parts of the country were in total darkness.

The taunted pride in western education and political sophistication caused envy and jealousy among other ethnic groups.

The Yoruba Problem arose out of stunning ignorance of the chemistry that made up the Nigerian nation, and the inability of its leaders to evolve a lasting political structure of understanding across the country.

Though resolute and patriotic, their past and present leadership have failed to conquer the evils of internal disunity and seeds of mistrust.  In the haydays of regions, others combined to excise non_yoruba speaking areas from the old Western Region leaving the Northern and Eastern Regions with their restless minorities intact.  Chief Awolowo, a great Yoruba leader was sent to prison on a doubtful treasonable charge.

The political eclipse of the Yoruba race was complete with the annulment of the Presidential elections won by Moshood Abiola.  The winner of that famous election died in detention without any trial.

The political woe of the Yorubas was compounded by the imprisonment of a former Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo by the military dictator, General Abacha who had earlier dismissed the interim administration of Chief Earnest Shonekan, another Yoruba from Ogun State.

Political historians would note that the revival of the fortunes of the Yoruba began with the imprisonment of Gen. Obasanjo and Gen. Diya and the change of heart by the military powers of the North in bringing Chief Obasanjo from prison to the political height of President of Nigeria.

People regard that event as a measure to appease the Yorubas and not a form of zoning formula as being widely spread by some Northern politicians

Many believe, and justifiably too, that the old North (including the present Benue and Plateau States) had no real problem but that the Region as was constituted before, was its own problem.

The Caliphate, founded by the illustrious religious jihadist, Shehu Usman Danfodio covered many parts of Northern Nigeria, except old Borno, Plateau and Benue areas.  Its tentacles spread over Yoruba territory of Ilorin and parts of what is now known as Kwara State.

The earlier pious religious intention of the founder of Sokoto Caliphate was however turned into a dynastic kingdom by his sons and political empire by his followers and their heirs.

The amalgamation of Northern and Southern Provinces by Lord Laggard in 1914 was not popular with the descendants of Danfodio.  Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto and the Premier of old North often regretted the ‘mistakes of 1914‘ and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the post Independence Nigeria Prime Minister had in the 1940s emphasized loudly the cultural and religious differences of the Northerners and Southerners.

Yet, we labored on fruitlessly towards the path of that elusive unity.
In the politics of 1950s, the Northern Peoples‘ Congress (NPC) was mainly a Northern Party dedicated to the fortunes of the North.  At Independence in 1960, the NPC with seats won only from the North was able to form a Federal Government with the NCNC of the South; leaving the Action Group also of the South in opposition.

The Northerners were able to restructure the Federal Civil Service with the doctrine of Federal Character.  However, the Civil War terminated the marriage of convenience or inconvenience and political friends became enemies.

The rest is now a part of history from which Nigerians have not learnt anything.
The problem of the North is the Fear that unless the Northern leaders (Hausa/Fulani) are in power or form a significant part of the ruling caste, Northern interests would not be safeguarded.

On this point, there would be no compromise.  The leaders, whether political or military, always see themselves as custodians of Northern interests (albeit, their own selfish interests).

When President Shagari was overthrown, it was believed to be a preventive measure against the emergence of a Southern President after him; when a Southern President was elected later, the election was annulled to satisfy the fear of a Southern President.

Thus, the Northern problem is nothing but Fear.  The nation needs to address this danger fast and quickly too.

The case of Mallam Adamu Ciroma is simple – it is that of unadulterated self interest.  As not of Hausa/Fulani stock, Adamu has enjoyed the best of both worlds.  He was appointed Editor of New Nigeria without being a Journalist; a Governor of Central Bank without being a Banker, a Minister of Finance without reputation of a seasoned economist.  Mallam Adamu Ciroma has enjoyed all the privileges of being a Northerner.

He graduated from Ibadan University (OYO STATE) and married into Odunjo‘s family of Abeokuta (OGUN STATE), a Nigerian by any standard.

For a restructured United States of Nigeria, give me President Jonathan, Dr. Pat Utomi, Raji Fashola, SAN, Lamido Sanusi and Nuhu Ribadu.  Maybe, our minds will be at rest some day.