By Adisa Adeleye
In my previous article where I examined the problems of ‘Question‘ in the context of ethnic politics in Nigeria, I came to the conclusion that the ‘Ibo Question‘ is being addressed through placement of Ibos in strategic positions on merit.  For example, a new Chief of Army Staff has been appointed and an Ibo Inspector-General of Police has just retired.

The ‘Yoruba Question‘ has always been self_inflicted as that race, without any struggle, has produced people in many sensitive and strategic areas of power.  Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a past President was able to hand over power to a Northerner, according to the dubious zoning arrangement.  It was believed in certain political circle, and justifiable so that the ‘Northern cabal‘ facilitated the rise of Obasanjo from prison (in which he was put by a Northerner) to pacify the troublesome Yorubas whose successful presidential election was annulled by another Northerner – General Babangida (rtd).  It is now6 that we are being told of the existence of a party arrangement that would ensure the periodical sharing of booties between the South (Yoruba) and the North (Hausa/Fulani).

The beauty of zoning, according to some analysts, is in its charter which recognizes the right of others in Nigeria to the privilege of high offices, beside the divine claims of Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani and Ibo.

That principle which by divine intervention has led to the elevation of one from one of the smallest tribes in Nigeria to the post of the President of Nigeria and also allowed the emergence of a Christian Governor (from a minority tribe) in a predominantly Muslim Kaduna State, should have run its full course, and divinely satisfactorily, too.  The appearance of President Goodluck Jonathan, under normal circumstances, should have pointed the road to solving the ethnic minority problem in the country.

The surprise of the season (actually it should not be a surprise to students of History) is the claim by some sections of the North that the decision of President Jonathan to contest in 2011 is a terrible thing to be resisted, if possible, by force.  According to the candidate of the North, Atiku Abubakar at the recently held Northern Political Forum, ‘if the PDP refuses to reform itself, it starts the chance of becoming irreverent‘.  To the executive, the consensus candidate of Adamu Ciroma Committee advised those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable‘.

It is unfortunate that Atiku Abubakar chose to talk about ‘reform‘ in the PDP, the party that forced him out in 2007 to seek the Presidential nomination under Action Congress (AC).  Without any tangible reform, he has returned to the same party to contest for the Presidential ticket.  Where is the political principle?  Why has integrity disappeared suddenly because of ambition to become the President?.

The Action Group (AG) of old daubed the late Adeleke Adedoyin as ‘Sarkin Tulasi‘ in his failed attempt to become AKARIGBO of REMO Shagamu by all means; Atiku Abubakar could become modern ‘President Tulasi‘, if he fails to curb his personal ambition and the unguarded but dangerous statements of his supporters.

If it may be appropriately asked, ‘What does the North want?  The answer to this intriguing question seems to me to be absolute security arising, from morbid fear of the South.  The fear is based on misunderstanding or unwillingness to understand other Nigerians called Southerners in the North and whose migrating citizens are confined to Sabongeris (foreigners‘ settlements).  The modern Nigeria is confused when faced with the thoughts of old Northern leaders on the Nigerians Unity Project.  The Editor of a Northern Newspaper once mused, ‘we‘, on reflection consider that a mistake was made in 1914 when the North and South were joined together‘.

During that colonial era, the fear of ‘Southern domination‘ of the North was strong and the unfortunate coup by ambitious army officers in 1966 which eliminated the notable Northern political leaders and many senior military officers appeared to be the confirmation of a plan towards the objective Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi‘s decree abolishing the regions did not help the situation and the violent and murderous reaction of Northern soldiers to the political situation of the period led directly to the unnecessary and costly BIAFRAN WAR.

Before 1960 and after Independence, the attitude of the old North, led by the Hausa/Fulani leaders had always been like, ‘we must rule or be a part of the ruling caste‘, or otherwise, ‘there would be absolute confusion.  The Northern view has been unchanged over the years even under the reign of NPN where zoning was first introduced with President (North) and Chairman of the Party (South).  Northern views had also been made very clear in all attempts to forge unity either in Constitutional conferences before Independence or after, before the Civil War.

Many lovers of peace would expect President Jonathan to convey a Conference of Nigerians to examine the problems of how Nigerians could live together without the fear of genocide in the North, or violent break_up of the country because we fail to address the real issues.  It is a pity that President Jonathan has not given serious thoughts to this type of dialogue while fixing his gaze on 1914, the year of the amalgamation of Northern Provinces and Southern Provinces to become Nigeria.

‘There is danger in the pot, cried the sons of the prophets to Elisha‘.  There is more poison in the melting pot of Nigerian politics when the remembrance of the works of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello comes to mind.  ‘…..The mistake of 1914 has come to light and I should like to go no further‘.  Atiku Abubakar himself has spoken.  What next?