FORENSIC FORCE: ‘Arab awakening’ in Arewa?
If there is
anything the repressive Arab regimes of the middle east and north
Africa and the traditional institutions in parts of northern Nigeria
share, it is the deliberate misinterpretation of Islam to hold on to
power while abusing human rights and dignity. There is often a
convenient convergence of culture and the clergy to perpetuate this
fraud on the people. In Saudi Arabia, less than 1,000 princes and
members of the royal family control a country that earns about $1
billion every day when oil prices climb above 100 dollars a barrel.
Similarly, in parts
of northern Nigeria, members of royal houses and those ‘honoured’ with
traditional titles dominate choice positions in government and
elsewhere. Few people know that during the 1979 primaries of the
National Party of Nigeria (NPN), blue-blooded Shehu Shagari was the
preferred choice of the northern elite over ‘commoner’ Maitama Sule.
One of the first politicians to challenge the power of the northern
traditional establishment was the late Aminu Kano who ran for president
under the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Kano. Just like the CPC’s
Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Kano never got the backing of that powerful group.
History teaches
that injustice and oppression do not last forever. That is why after
decades of misrule, a new generation has finally mustered the courage
to say ‘enough is enough’. First, it was Tunisia, then Egypt. Yemen is
burning. Syria is on edge. Morocco, Jordan, Algeria and Saudi Arabia
are trembling. The United States conveniently overlooked the crushing
of the pro-democracy movement in Bahrain, while the West has hijacked a
popular movement in Libya with a dubious military intervention.
Whatever form it may take, one thing is clear – democracy is in the
air. In a way, the Arab awakening is also blowing across the north.
True, we have many people who have risen above the system to educate
themselves and confront the challenges of today’s world head on. For
these, education has been the key. Conversely, for a majority of
northerners, illiteracy is all-pervading. It is a sad reflection on the
quality of leadership that even when ‘commoners’ make it to positions
of power and authority, they are quickly absorbed into the elite class
and given traditional titles. In gratitude, these new ‘royalty’ forget
their roots and serve the interests of the traditional establishment.
But like our Arab
contemporaries, a new generation of people in the north is beginning to
realise that a distorted version of Islam has been used to enslave them
for too long; there is nothing Islamic about poverty and illiteracy.
The only leader they could trust is General Buhari in whom they saw a
beacon of hope – that explains their support for the incorruptible
general. He represented a change from leaders that only exploit and
impoverish them; Buhari’s loss resulted in massive voter apathy in the
north and the virtual collapse of the opposition in the governorship
elections, to PDP’s joy. People say: “Why bother voting when nothing
will change?”
When the results of
the presidential elections (under-aged voting and 99.96 percent and
all) came out, the north’s long oppressed and downtrodden saw their
hope of emancipation dashed, triggering the senseless slaughter of
innocent people. Unfortunately, there are no military (or violent)
solutions to political problems. This may explain why the peaceful
change in Tunisia and Egypt succeeded while Libya’s armed rebellion is
festering. If those who engaged in this dastardly act read newspapers,
I would have asked: did the ordinary citizen eking out a livelihood and
minding his business inflate the figures? No religion condones the
killings and the subsequent reprisals. The violence serves no purpose;
it is condemnable and completely uncalled for. It is totally
indefensible and can only be explained, but certainly not justified, as
the result of mindless, directionless mob action. Even Buhari’s
motorcade unknowingly drove into the mayhem and was equally attacked.
Ultimately, for the northern traditional establishment and political
elite, the chickens have come home to roost. Who would have imagined
northern masses approaching the palaces of emirs not to pay homage, but
with intent to loot and burn? Or reports that the Sultan was pelted
with sachets of ‘pure water’? True, a revolt against an anachronistic
feudal system is needed, but that does not excuse killing innocent
people. For genuine change agents seeking to kick out a corrupt and
visionless ruling class, (another plentiful national resource), our
support and edification is needed, not the usual ‘almajiri’ or
‘bloodthirsty’ northerner taunts. The road to liberty is paved with
adversity, but with understanding, the Nigeria of our dreams may yet
emerge.
