SINCE Nigeria’s independence in 1960, different political leaders have emerged in the country to shape the nation’s political and social and economic life. The first generations of leaders were the post-Independence politicians. Among them were the late Sardauna of Sokoto; the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the defunct Western Region, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe; Mallam Aminu Kano and Joseph Tarka, all of who won the hearts of Nigerians through the way they confronted the colonial masters leading to the nation’s independence. This is why they are referred to as the founding fathers of the nation.

This category of politicians also aggressively pursued people-oriented programmes so that the void left by the colonial masters will not be felt too much by the young nation. In their various political zones, they were able to pursue and implement economic policies which emancipated the people in the then three regions of the country. Till today, reference is still being made of the period of groundnut pyramid in the North, cocoa boom in the West and palm oil era in the Eastern part of the country.

Though some of the political leaders were conservative, some of them were radical. They were very charismatic and were loved by their people.  Sardauna was revered even till today in the North and Chief Obafemi Awolowo was almost worshipped in the West while Dr. Azikiwe was the toast of the people in the East. Joseph Tarka, on his own, was the toast of the talakawas in ‘the middle belt.

Then came the military which truncated the nation’s democratic process. By the time they returned to the barracks, severe blow had been dealt the image of Nigerian politicians, making people to view them as selfish and corrupt leaders. Most of the politicians and political leaders in the Second Republic lost the respect of Nigerians, making the military to again return. And when they left, a new breed of political class and politicians emerged.

Sadly most of those in this category too disappointed, they could not match the stature of the first generation leaders.  Even those that were thrown up from 1983 to 1999 found it difficult to stand shoulder to shoulder with the first generation politicians.

However some politicians of the new order are being looked upon as those who will step into the very large shoes left by the likes of the Sardauna, Awolowo, Dr. Azikiwe and Mallam Aminu Kano. One of these new breed politicians is Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, governor of Niger State.

Aliyu first came to political limelight in 1983 when he was elected into the House of Representatives. By providence, he became governor in 2007 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Since he became governor, he has not only shown that he is a statesman and patriot but someone who build the bridge of understanding across national divide. His contributions to national discourse at home and abroad have showed him as a shining light in the North, far apart from others who preferred to hide under the shadows of their conservative cloaks.

It is now common knowledge that Aliyu always calls a spade a spade notwithstanding whom and what area of the country the issue in discourse is concerned. With this bold action, Aliyu has been able to bring down ethnic and tribal barriers, making him the toast of the academia and the common man in the country.

This is why Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu has not only been honoured with top traditional titles in various parts of the country by high ranking traditional rulers such as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar. he has also received strings of doctorate degrees and other academic laurels from within and outside Nigeria.

There is no doubt that for Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu to be honoured with the highly revered title of the Sardauna Hausa by seven first class traditional rulers in the North, he his considered as a worthy successor for Sardauna.

The Emir of Daura, while presenting the letter appointing Governor Aliyu with this top traditional title, said he was picked among nine other candidates though he (Aliyu) did not apply.

Alhaji Farouk said the Emir of Kano, Emir of Katsina, Sarkin Zazau, Sarkin Zazau Suleja and himself recognized the contributions of Dr. Aliyu to the propagation of Islam, religious tolerance, educational development and contributions to national discourse before arriving at their decision.

The appointment of Dr. Aliyu as the Sardauna Hausa may be the first endorsement of the Niger State governor by these respected traditional in the North for the coveted presidential slot of the country in 2015. Since traditional rulers are known to be people of strong stand, it is not likely that they will abandon their own for another candidate.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states has also added to the feathers of the governor and gave him their blessing when their leader recently described him as the New Sardauna of the North. They praised the courage of the governor for upholding fairness and equity in dealing with members of all religions in the state before pledging their support for him.

In the forward to the book “Praxis of Political concepts and clichés in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic” edited by Isaac Olawale Albert, Professor Ishaq Oloyede described Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu as “a man who is not in need of any form of introduction.  He has stood out as a governor who is committed to the development, not only of his state but of the entirety of the Nigerian society.  Niger State under his stewardship has become a transformed place and a veritable benefactor to many other states in the federation.”

Though Governor Aliyu has said that he is committed to the mandate given him by the people, he may have to concede to the wishes of the people when the time comes.

Ibrahim writes from Suleja, Niger State.

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