Echoes from Arewa Forum

Olusegun Mimiko

Hassan Ibrahim reports on a recent forum where stakeholders from the North, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, lamented the underdevelopment of the region, a situation which they said run contrary to the dreams of the founding fathers.

Between 1999 and 2007, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar held the second most exalted office in Nigeria, yet he has never hidden his solidarity for the North. Going down memory lane, it was in November 2007, during a grand reception organised in his honour at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, that the Turaki of Adamawa reiterated his loyalty to the North where he told the mammoth crowd that he would never betray the region.

Although, the occasion drew comments that border on Atiku’s intention and loyalty, it was, however, seen as a strategic move by the then vice president to position himself not only for the leadership of the North, but also for the political race in 2007.

That opportunity came during the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when Atiku had total support of majority of the governors and party chieftains who wanted him to succeed his boss in 2003. At that period, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s bid for a second term in office was threatened as it was reported that Chief Obasanjo, in company of his close associates, had to lobby the Turaki, pacify his supporters and ensure that he (Obasanjo) got the ticket for a second term.

What followed subsequently was not in Atiku’s favour as the political journey, up till when he left office in 2007, could be regarded as a turbulent one in his political history.

Obasanjo did all he could to frustrate him out of office, but being a dogged fighter with faith in the judiciary, the Adamawa politician was able to weather the storm and is now basking in the euphoria of his political victory.

Recently, during the maiden lecture of the Arewa Media Forum at Arewa House, Kaduna, the former residence of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Atiku, in company with other Northern leaders and elders, met again where they reappraised and deliberated on the future of the region.

Atiku, who was the special guest of honour on the occasion, also recalled that it was exactly 50 years when their most respected leader, Bello, stood at the balcony of the Lugard Hall and gave an inspiring speech to herald the blessings of self government to the people of Northern Nigeria

This, he said, became a major step in creating the independence of the North and Nigeria, adding that within a few years of that self government, some of the most enduring Northern institutions were created in spite of the limited resources available to the region.

He said their leaders demonstratedbeyond doubt that they were capable of not only governing themselves, but alsoa ddressing their developmental challenges, saying that the mention of these great leaders evoked nostalgia and a sense of pride.

“The North is facing multiple and serious challenges as we move further into the more competitive environment of the 21st century. The North today represents the poorer part of this country, educational sector is still the poorest, our development indices, such as infant and maternal mortality, are nothing to write home about, our industries are under severe stress, the productive capacity of our economy is the lowest. Even agriculture, the mainstay of our economy, is still in the doldrums in addition to youth unemployment, low revenue base, with heavy reliance on oil revenues. There’s also ethno-religious conflicts that have destroyed many lives and properties. The challenges are as numerous as they are frightening.”

As the North canvassed for greater autonomy, Atiku said they must also insist on genuine electoral reforms in line with the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Committee, maintaining that the reforms must take place before the 2011 elections.

“Only genuine reform of the electoral system will enable us to freely choose those who will govern us. Without that freedom, we shall continue to lag behind. The reforms would be the incentive for political parties to allow internal party democracy, without which, political godfathers will continue to impose candidates and the votes of the people will not be allowed to count.

“The electoral reform must ensure independence and impartiality on the part of electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.

The Turaki of Adamawa made it clear that fighting for those reforms was not about him or any other person aspiring for elective office, but about Nigeria and its current and future citizens, adding that such reforms would help to make elections meet regional and international standards and will enable Nigeria to take its place in the comity of the civilised nations.

He also condemned the frequent and rampant slaughter of innocent citizens in the name of ethnicity or religion in the North, saying it was another issue of critical importance to the Northerners as a people, adding that the rampant and senseless killings were not only unacceptable, but also goes against the traits and philosophy of our founding fathers.

The guest speaker on the occasion, Governor Mu’azu Aliyu of Niger State, recalled that Sardauna’s last budget was 44 million pounds, an amount much smaller than what some local governments get today, but Sardauna transformed the North in less than 10 years as Premier.

Governor Aliyu lamented that Northern leaders had done much damage to the region by deviating from the principles and teachings of late Ahmadu Bello, saying "this event affords us the opportunity to do a reality check of our present socio-political predicaments in the Nigerian Federation and to seek answers to some pertinent questions.

He lamented the fact that many Northern leaders live in opulence and ostentation in the midst of mass poverty among the people which was a deviation from the ideals of their late leaders, devoid of the social tendencies promoted by the Sardauna.

The North, he said, had become a laughing stock because of its failure to contribute to national economic growth which should be blamed on the actions of contemporary Northern leaders especially those that served in the military, saying the socio-economic and political situation of the country had degenerated and the North is at the receiving end. He noted the collapse of all traces of northern contribution to development in the country, particularly in the agricultural and industrial settings.

For Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni (rtd), who was chairman of the occasion, Sardauna’s secret of success was his commitment, integrity, hardwork and fairness, virtues which allowed him to talk credibly about his region as One North, One People, One Destiny in spite of its being the most ethnically and religiously diverse of the country’s original three regions.

Useni, however, expressed with sadness that these virtues had became lacking in today’s political leadership.

Former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, added that the biggest achievement of yesterday's North was the leaders philosophy of one North, one people, one destiny.

Although the 2007 presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), was at the occasion, he did not make any comment. The occasion was graced by Second Republic Minister of Transport, Alhaji Umaru Dikko; former governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari, among others.