By Salisu Suleiman
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, 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, this 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 PDPs joy. People say: “Why bother voting when nothing will change?”
When the results of the presidential elections (under-aged voting and 99.96 per cent and all) came out, the north’s long oppressed and down-trodden 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; 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.
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, 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, this 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 PDPs joy. People say: “Why bother voting when nothing will change?”
When the results of the presidential elections (under-aged voting and 99.96 per cent and all) came out, the north’s long oppressed and down-trodden 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; 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.
Allah created everything in this world.All things we can see and things we cant see.Even the smallest particle of dust to move or not to move from one place to another is determined by Allah. Whatever Allah and Nabi said must happened.
ReplyDeleteAllah said, if you combine the wealth and might in this world to unite the heart of people, surely you will fail. Unity can only be achieve through religion. Nabi said, if you dont perform your amal maaruf and nahi munkar, one day allah will send to you a cruel ruler to rule you and killed woman, kids and old people among you.
As long as we dont go back to the religion, muslim people will shift from bad to worst.
Revolution or awakening or whatever one terms it, will never never work for Muslim simply because it is not Allah's way.
Islamic scholars use to say, quraan and hadith has all the solution for humanity, so go back to it....but may be they themselves do not know which hadith and which verse in Alquraan gives the solution.
People in Iraq hated Saddam Husein and thought when Saddam is removed they will live their life peacefully, the gave warm reception to Allied troops and saw them as liberators and will bring peace. See how Iraqis live their life now, peace?
Similarly in eagyt, tunisia, libya, yemen or any other countries...the present and previous so called dictators was sent by Allah according to his promises...
Only Allah can give peace, no one else. Peace only come when man obey Allah according to sunnah Rasul. Period