By Dr. Baba J Adamu, Ph.D

www.gamji.com  - January 19, 2002

As hard an eagle as I am ...this morning I wept through the entire period of reflection on northern Nigeria. The North or Arewa, consists of 19 States today, known as the food basket of Nigeria, contains about 70% of the country’s solid mineral deposits with potentials for oil and gas, occupying about 79% of Nigeria’s total landmass with more than 58% of the population. Significantly, almost 70% of Nigeria’s 280 ethnic groups are indigenes of the region. Reflecting on the notion that the unity of such a region is even more fragile than ever before. It is to such a level as sceptics claimed that the union of the northern concept might no longer work. I honestly wonder about the so-called hidden agenda against the north supposedly to cause disharmony and poor inter-ethnic relations among several of its people, hence weakening its political grip. No doubt this is a period of profound northern grief. On one hand there are the recently increased social/religious upheavals, increased despair and hopelessness amongst youth in various parts of the north, and on the other hand the supposedly grand plan to systematically obliterate northern influence in the political and economical arena and the turmoil of frustration over what has become of the region’s political leaders – The northern extractions? Some criticized the northern political elite for not positioning the north well enough, others claimed that there had never been a continual commitment towards northern unity and socio-economic progress, while many believed that the northerner in today’s government has given little or no attention to the needs of his people and is becoming increasingly self-centered. This feeling of disenchantment is reinforced with the fact that many a southerner in position of authority takes his people along while the northerner is left saying “why have I not seen the light”. The northern electorate calmly tailored and sweated to cast votes of hope for a new Nigeria, but today, most of them look up to future with so much trepidation as their under-development worsens by the minute. Yet I say, such moment of truth can be turned into great advantage to us – we the northerners. Successful nations today, were those whose citizens, at one time or the other, under strong leadership, rose above personal, sectional or religious differences and worked together to build a viable nation in order to guarantee the welfare of its citizens. Indeed, most times the worst had to be experienced before God would provide a gateway to progress and growth. The present northern condition, full of uncertainties, bitterness, cruelty, racial discrimination, communal tensions, inequities, economic degradation and erosion of values will still be a turning point towards yet another unifying power in the history of northern Nigeria.

The views I am about to present are shared by many intellectuals based upon careful analysis, investigation and observation of the reaction of the Nigerian peoples on the on-going economical developments situation and stability in Nigeria, and the long term direction of the current administration.  For the second time northern Nigeria's future is full of realistic hope and unlimited prospects for its people and Nigeria in General. But before I proceed further, I would like to reflect on what the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu (Gamji) Bello, the then Premier of the Northern Region told Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe the first time they met. When Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe said, “Let’s forget our differences” the Sardauna replied: “we should instead understand our differences rather than forget them”, little did Dr. Azikiwe understood him. Before now, I do not think northerners really comprehend the real meaning to this their hero's statement. He really meant that we must understand that we are different people, especially in our cultures and traditions and religion. We must learn and appreciate these differences should we have to live together peacefully. That was what Sir Ahmadu Bello meant when he made that statement. He envisaged that a Hausa/Fulani must know and be able to accommodate a Tiv/Nupe/Idoma, and all other Northern tribes and even the Igbo/Yoruba man (for the sake of Nigerian unity) and when any of them goes about his life in his different culture and tradition or religion he does not mean any harm but just his way of life.

By origin mankind were a single people or nation. That being so, God could have kept us all alike, with one language, one kind of disposition, and even one set of physical conditions (including climate) to live in. But in His wisdom, He gives us diversity in these things, not only at any given time, but also in different periods and ages. This tests our capacity for unity and accentuates the need of unity and self esteem. The Days of ignorance were the days of tribalism, feuds and selfish accentuation of differences in man and the falsehood of trying to forget these differences. Those days are really not yet over. Sir Ahmadu Bello meant to take us (the northerners) away from that false mental attitude, towards the true attitude of unity. Unifying the north first and then all Nigerians. And if our Faith was certain (and not merely a matter of words), God will guide us to that unity. Apparently, our faith was not certain, for amongst us, some had sought to others (non-northerners) for help, comfort or simply for identification purposes. But ultimately, without first being united, they are more likely to combine against you than to help you. It is not right that we should be in intimate association with those to whom our unity is either a subject of mockery or at best is nothing but a plaything. They may be amused, or they may have other motives – grand conspiracy for example to discourage and laugh at our unity. But our association with them will sap the earnestness of our faith, and make us cynical and insincere to our preordained unity. Therefore, we must reflect deeply, on the need to inculcate, in our selves the truths and what they have verified and proved: the balkanization of distinct from north-west in order to cause great disservice to the north and ultimately make EVERY northerner young and old dependent economically on them.  Paradoxically making the victimizer enjoys perfect health, nourishment and power.

For every disservice there has to have been an opportunity. No doubt such opportunities were created by the northern so-called leaders and further transformed into grand plan to further divide the north by all means necessary. The northern so-called leaders have not been able to uphold the earlier established doctrine of northern unity as well as the ultimate Nigerian unity and freedom. Those opportunities brought about auctioning plan of the surviving legacies of the North, be it the regional paper, the New Nigerian, the School of Aviation Technology in Zaria, the subtle attempts to reduce the Aminu Kano International Airport Kano, the move to kill FRCN Kaduna (grand plan to kill the most formidable radio station in the North in order to suffocate the media in the north-preparatory to the 2003 politics, according to Bulus Madaki), or the provocative measures to try to break the cordial political relationship between the north and the south-east, or even the last massacre of northerners by the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) terrorists in Lagos (in which northern Christians non-Hausa/Fulani were butchered by their western neighbours and others from Plateau State were literally cut down in cold blood by their western colleagues with whom they worshipped together in the same Church), and the low budgetary allocation to the agric sub-sector of the north in order to further downsize this immemorial agrarian society. Reports have it that majority of fairy-used car dealers are northerners. This has pitched the plan against the north over the new policy on Tokunbo vehicles effective in January 2002 (now extended to March 2002).

No doubt, in the new geo-political environment, the North faces challenges both from within and without. From within, the socio-economic dilemma and disunity of the north grows to unimaginable proportions, and from without the grand plan as well as the additional instigations like the wild ambition, cheap, misguided delusion by Ralph Uwazuruike in a bid to rekindle the issue of the independent state of Biafra, or the fuelling of crisis by the like of Odumegwu Ojukwu (his lecture at Hekan Church, Kaduna, some days before the Kaduna disturbances and that of Umuahia), and of-course the balkanization in Umuahia and Aba, but worst, especially the Day of the knives carnage at Okigwe cattle market where hundreds of defenseless peoples of northern origin were killed in cold blood. The Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Afenifere, both murderous tribal organizations aimed at creating Oduduwa Republic in the south western zone are using all nefarious and criminal activities to realize their objectives.  In the process, a lot of innocent blood had been spilled.  It degenerated to such a level that their plan came out, and people of northern origin were singled out and hacked to death and their properties burnt without any cogent reason. That was the ninth attack in Lagos since the inception of this government.  First, it was with the Ijaws in Ajegunle district and later with the Igbos.  They went as far as north to Ilorin to forcibly dethrone the Emir of Ilorin – a dynasty that has been in existence for over a century – and install a Yoruba chief (Oba).  The unleashing of the mayhem remained unchecked by the federal security officials because of the kit-glove treatment. The consequences would have been catastrophic were it not for the leaders and elders of thought in other parts of the country who helped calm down the tension, though the south-west interpreted the non-retaliatory action as their supremacy and power. The resultant effects if continued unchecked would bring about ethnic militia youths, like the already existing Bakassi Boys and Yan Banga, who automatically would become strengthened and institutionalized through secret or open sponsorship. Given the rhetoric of the southwest leaders and the release of the OPC leaders that were apprehended earlier on, people may turn deep ears on the elders plea should this type of carnage repeat itself foolishly or intentionally. The situation was fuel further by the ethno-centric cleansings in which the OPC/Afenifere aimed to get rid of all other Nigerians from Yoruba land, whereas the BAKASI boys in the east did not want to see any non Igbo selling anything in the streets of Onitsha and the OGBESU boys destroying the property of genuine northern investors.

Perhaps, the kernel of the issue at stake is the alleged plot by northerners in government to socially and politically deconscientise the people of the region. For instance, analysts say a new strategy of divide-and-rule has been adopted to break into the North’s monolithic solidarity. This strategy is embodied in the agitation for Middle-Belt. The politics of the divisive issue of Middle-Belt is nothing short of senseless misconception to scoff and negate the powerful northern region with the sole aim of accelerating the so-called power shift by all means.  ‘Middle Belt’ is a geographical expression within the mainstream north.  It is an expression for comfortable description during the colonial era just like when one hears of Kanem-Borno – a region that comprised of the peoples of Borno, part of Katagum and part of Hadejia emirates of Bauchi and Jigawa states.  So the concept of the so-called Middle Belt consolidation as it now stands, is meaningless and completely irrelevant since it is viewed now as has been viewed before to be a plus for the entire northern region. The Middle-Belt has been actively participating in the governance of the nation since independence with many occupying high positions.  This is one of the issues the southwest press have been paid to focus more attention in order to foment strife and ‘revolt’ but unfortunately failed in their mission. The question is, who speaks for the ‘Middle Belt’? So far nobody, not even some stalwarts like Joseph Tarka, who joined the then Action Group (AG). As we all remember the romance was short lived because he was never recognized to be anybody that would uplift them monetarily and intelligently.  No sooner than he realized it was a foolish tribal association did he bolt himself from the clutches of deceit to join the NPC where he was warmly received and eventually saw his ascendancy to power at a young age.  One thing to note here is that, he did represent his people – the Tivs. But it would be a poor conjecture to assume, even in those days that Tarka represented the Idomas, Igalas, Ebiras, Mopa-Kabba confederates, not to mention the different peoples of upper and lower Plateau and possibly the southern enclave of Taraba State, since these peoples are large, independent communities who were  well represented by their chosen and elected leaders (e.g. the Attahs, Abdurrahman Okenes, Obajes Achimugus, and Awoniyis). Those people have been involved in governance and all voiced out for the monolithic north at one time or the other. Joshua Dariye, a young man in his early forties, and an incumbent governor of Plateau is one of such people.  He has confirmed the monolithic north in so many ways. To reinforce his commitment towards northern unity and demonstrate his stand and conviction, he deliberately appointed some of his close advisers from the States other than the one he governs.  Even Yohanna Madaki, a former colonel and lawyer publicly clarified that ‘Middle Belt’ is a misconception”. So the challenge now is to go back to the roots and rally behind a substantial appropriate indigenous leadership to emerge to strengthen the northern region and empower the locals at the grassroots level, so that they become self-reliant, economically prosperous and therefore politically stronger.

Tuning supposedly northern domination into reality

No honest Nigerian is unaware that the propaganda of northern domination is greater in falsehood than in truth. So it is needless to stress that those who control 62% of the Federal workforce, 80% of the economy etc., cannot reasonably complain of being dominated except if by saying so they want to control 100% of everything. Most Nigerians know that about 60% of our electricity supply goes to Lagos alone. It has been demonstrated that southerners owned 81% of companies registered between 1986-1988. Even in the military, the north doesn’t have any advantage over the south, especially in the navy and air force. With the recent exercise, the north is no more in the army. So, who is dominating whom? As Wada Nas has said, the truth is a trial of a people and not just of the people. However, one thing noticeable with Nigerian cowards is that, aside from the fact that they die several times before their actual time, they tend to be deficient in historical events. As Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd), has said after the formation of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) that the north must effectively champion the interests of the 19 northern states and achieve its objectives within the next 10 years. And I say we should champion the interests of the north willingly, decisively, democratically and aggressively not that which befit the aspirations of the people but that which respect the principle of balance, so that the most vulnerable person does not feel unwanted or harmed and even the strongest one does not feel immune from punishment. The call is even now more verociferous than ever before. We should think of northern Nigeria as a family.

God in his infinite mercy has created us from a single pair of male and female, and made us into nations and tribes so that we might get to know and cherish one another, but not to despise one another. We have to stop blaming or shouting at each other, stop hurting each other, and instead start caring for, sacrificing for, and striving for, share and work for ourselves and with each other. We must remember that unity and togetherness means strength and progress. We must begin to do what we can do where we are, and we must do all that we can do where we are. Lack of action today is far more dangerous tomorrow. We can advance only by being larger than our present place. Meaning, mastering the economic development of our place, and establishing social and spiritual harmony between our peoples and strengthening inter-ethnic relationship. And, no man is larger than his present place who leaves undone any of the work pertaining to that place. Only those who more than fill their present places advance the world. And those who do not do their part to fill their present places are a dead weight upon society, government, commerce, and industry. They must be carried along by others at great expense. The progress of such a place is retarded only by those who do not fill the places they are holding. They belong to a former age and lower stage or plane of life. Their tendency is toward degeneration. No society could advance if every individual was smaller than his place because social evolution is guided by the law of physical and mental evolution. In the animal world, evolution is caused by an excess of life. When an organism has more life than can be expressed in the functions of its own plane, it develops the organs of a higher plane, and a new species is originated. There would never have been new species had there not been organisms, which more than fill their places. The law is exactly the same for us. The control of our economy and politics largely depends upon our applying this principle to our own affairs. Every day is either a successful day – reconciliation, friendship, economic ventures, peaceful coexistence etc., or a day of failure – hatred, betrayal, social/religious upheavals, envy etc. And, it is the successful days, which get us what we want and eventually take us where we want to go. If everyday is a failure, we can never attain economic and political growth; if every day is a success, we cannot help but control our destiny.

If there is something that may be done today and we do not do it, we have failed insofar as that thing is concerned. And, the consequences may be more disastrous than we can imagine. For God does not change the condition of a people unless they themselves try to change their condition. We cannot foresee the results of even the most trivial act. We do not know the workings of all the forces that have been set moving in our behalf. Much may be depending on our doing simple act; it may be the very thing which is to open the door of opportunity to great economic possibilities and harmony. We can never know all the combinations, which God is making for us as a group and even as an individual in this world. Our neglect or failure to do some small thing may cause a long delay in getting what we want or even cause us to lose it altogether. Let’s do, every day, all that can be done that day. However, there is a limitation or qualification that we must take into account. We are not to overwork or rush blindly into economic reforms, business ventures, or device policies that befit the aspiration of the people in an effort to do the greatest possible number of things in the shortest possible time.  We are not to try to do tomorrow’s work today or do a week’s work in a day. It is really not the number of things that we do, rather the efficiency of each separate action that counts. Every inefficient act is a failure, and if we spend our time addressing issues that divide us, our whole life will be a failure. The more thing we do, the worst for us, if our acts are inefficient ones (that goes for individual and even in economic policies). On the other hand, every efficient act is a success in itself, and if we concentrate on those things that unite us (and only understand our differences), our whole life must be successful. I firmly believe that the cause of disservice and the supposedly grand conspiracy theory to destabilise the north is largely due to either doing too many things in an inefficient manner or not doing enough things in an efficient manner by the chosen northern representatives. Everyone can clearly see that it is a self-evident proposition that if we do not do any inefficient acts and if we do a sufficient number of efficient acts, we will become economically rich and politically strong. If it is possible for us to make sufficient efficient act, we can therefore see that getting rich and achieving economic stability is reduced to an exact science, like mathematics. The issue now, then, lies on the question of whether we can collectively make sufficient unanimous, efficient declaration of unbreakable unity, stand by our declaration, rally behind common goals and support our chosen leaders even during rough rides (which surely will be the price to pay but so negligible will they be compared to the surplus of economic and political growth to come afterwards). And, this we certainly can do.

We can make each of our political and economical decision a success, because God is working with us, and God cannot fail. The Supreme God oversees our intensions. To make each of our action efficient, we have only to put our own power into it. Every action is either strong or weak. When every one is strong, we will be acting in the certain way, which will make us one in principle and goal. Every venture can be made strong and efficient by holding our vision together while we are doing it and by putting the whole power of our faith and purpose into it. It is at this point that the people who separate mental power from personal action fail. They use the power of mind in one place and at one time, and they act in another place and at another time. Thus, their actions are not successful in themselves; too many of them are inefficient. But, if we put God, humbleness and decisiveness in most action that we take, no matter how commonplace, every action will be a  success in itself. Every success opens the way to other successes. Our progress toward what we desire, and the movement of that which we desire toward us will become increasingly rapid. We have to remember that successful action is cumulative in its results. When we begin to move toward prosperity, more things attach themselves to us, and the influence our desire is multiplied. This is obviously so because the desire for better life is inherent in all things. We should therefore rally behind a leader who is a combination of Murtala, Buhari/Idiagbon, Abacha and many elements of Saudauna. Someone whose master stroke in the art of political reconciliation and promotion of northern unity, whose adoption of a democratic model of governance would be suitable for our peculiar socio-political circumstances, someone who is able to initiate enough sufficient efficient actions, decisive, swift, consistent and patriotic, whose adoption of policies would act as catalysts to the enhancement of our economic growth and favourable climate for capital investment, an elucidated man who would assume power not by burning ambition but simply by dint of providence as necessitated by enumerated circumstances – to save the north and the nation in general. Remembering college physics, if we put enough atoms together the right way, we will create a nuclear reaction that feeds on itself and just keeps going. The leader should be that critical mass of atoms that will trigger the snowball of socio-economic and political progress. Come 2003, the north should make that impeccable decision to rally behind its selected leader who will deserve the highest applause perhaps more than any one preceding him. This in itself is a challenge to the north and northern politicians. They must wake up and exercise restrain in their utterances, be patriotic ambassadors to the north and emulate the good behaviours and works of some of our past and present leaders. Only then the Grand Conspiracy will fail in its devilish endeavour to divide determined peoples like the northerners.

This voice may be weak, but it has a good representation of opinion across North America and Europe. Our verdict is the verdict of all northern Nigerians in North America and Europe, and by extension the whole Nigerians in Diaspora, since what we are advocating is the ultimate unity of all Nigerians. We have common roots. We share the values, which have moulded our identity for many centuries. We shall go to any length to support our course. God will guide us.