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The autobiography of Alhaji, Sir Ahmadu Bello,
K.B.E., M.H.A., Sardauna of Sokoto and the first premier of the
Northern Region of Nigeria in 1954, entitled “My Life,” may seem an odd
place to search for guidance in the face of the unfolding Ivorian
crisis. But, as I read about this statesman and a bit of the history of
his part of Nigeria, I realized that it had lessons for 21st century
Africa and that usurper Laurent Gbagbo.

What lessons could so-called “feudal” Africa have
for we “educated” 21st century Africans? Let us start with the art of
losing political power. The Sardauna of Sokoto, a scion of the house of
Fodio, was a descendant of the famed Fulani founder of the Sokoto
Empire, Shehu Usman dan Fodio. That empire, exercising suzerainty over
several Hausa emirates, lasted approximately a century until it
succumbed to the British colonial power in 1914 or thereabouts. How
could the Sokoto Empire last that long? Among other things, by the
subtle exercise of the art of losing political power; no system of
government can endure if it does not have a way of incorporating losers
of political office into its ongoing daily existence.

Listen to the words of the Sardauna of Sokoto:
“When the Shehu died in Sokoto in 1817 he expressed the wish that Bello
should succeed him as Sarkin Musulmi, or Commander of the Faithful for
the Western Sudan, while remaining as ruler of Sokoto in charge of the
Eastern Empire. However, this was not known to the Shehu’s brother
Abdullahi, who was at Gwandu at the time and who thought he would
succeed his brother as a matter of course. No sooner had he heard the
startling news that the Shehu had willed otherwise than a rising broke
out at Kalam Baina, near Gwandu, whose people had gone over to a
rival…but Bello…sent men to his assistance and the revolt was crushed.

“The two rulers met after the victory. Bello was
on his great war-horse, Abdullahi on a mare, as befitted his position
as a learned Mallam. Bello, being the younger man, made ready to
dismount to salute his uncle, following strict etiquette; his uncle
waved him to stay where he was and then bowed in his saddle and greeted
Bello as Commander of the Faithful. Thus by mutual tact the rift was
closed. What might have been a disastrous breach was healed, and ever
since then our two families have lived in perfect friendship and
amity.”

Even if one assumes that this account is
mythical, it illustrates how victors in the battle for ultimate
political power should treat the vanquished and how the vanquished
should behave to elide the distinction between victor and vanquished.
Contrast that behavior with that of Mr. Gbagbo and Mr. Ouattara and it
is clear that Mr. Gbagbo could learn a bit from Abdullahi. It is tragic
that so many so-called “educated” African politicians stand in dire
need of lessons today from Abdullahi.

Sir Ahmadu’s autobiography combines prophetic
streaks with sensitivity to the powerful ethnic identities, which drive
much of Africa’s politics. In congratulating the people of Ghana on
attaining independence in March 1957, he said: “Ghana will have many
hard tests to face. Perhaps the sternest test, which Ghana will have to
face, is the preservation of democracy. It is up to the Leader of Ghana
to resist all anti-democratic influences; and to resist using
undemocratic means to retain control over the country. Nigeria herself
will have to face such a test, time and time again during this century.

“The second test which confronts Ghana is the
danger of internal strife. It will be many, many years before the
peoples of Africa will respect political boundaries higher than tribal
boundaries. For many years the leaders of countries in Africa will have
the difficult task of welding together the peoples of their countries
within the political boundaries which have been artificially decided
upon by the colonial powers within the last hundred years.”

Both Ghana and Nigeria failed those tests for
several years. Mr. Gbagbo continues to fail those tests. Yet, the
resolute actions of Ecowas against Mr. Gbagbo and Cote d’Ivoire suggest
that West Africa’s leaders want to entrench democratic norms in their
region.

I am confident that 2011 will show Nigeria’s rulers abiding
internally by the democratic principles they preach outside Nigeria.
But, Nigeria requires better still. It needs incorruptible leaders like
Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.