Date Published: 09/08/09
Who’s Script is Comrade Khalid acting?
By Thlama Shallangwa
The fear of Fulani monopoly on government machineries as the beginning of wisdom for some non Fulani, does not arise from un-acceptance of the Fulani as bonafide indigenes of Adamawa State. This is simply due to the fact that, all tribes, be it majority or minority anywhere the world-over, migrated to where they are currently from somewhere. That is what history taught us. Therefore by right, all tribes irrespective of their background, has an indigenous right to govern the state. It is wisdom, because in reminiscence of the slave trade era in the defunct Gongola and now Adamawa state, it is feared that, in spite of Nigeria’s 49 years of historical self autonomy, some Fulani ruling class still believe in total subjugation of non-Fulanis.
The 28 months administration of governor Nyako in Adamawa, is a clear threat that lends credence to such fear. Among several examples is the fact that, in a state made up of over 70 ethnic tribes spread across 21 LGAs, with Fulani constituting a minority in 20 out of 21 councils, what explanations has the governor for having over two-third of the existing commissioners as Fulanis? What are his reasons for the distortion of the Civil service procedures so as to have more than three-quarters of Fulanis as Permanent Secretaries? In a state of 3 unbalanced ethically unique Senatorial Districts, what criteria did Nyako use to appoint 5 Fulanis into the State Electoral Commission of 7 members? Rightly or wrongly, the actualization of sectional Fulani ethic agenda unfolded, is the only relevant answer the silent majority can see, right, left and centre.
This brings to fore, the nullity, unsubstantiated, watery, irrelevant and one-sided opinion of few oppressors in the state, put together by one Mohammed Khalid, a former National Scribe of the NUJ, which appeared in Daily Trust of September 1, 2009. In it, he rubbished Kilba elite from Hong for their quest to be merged with their Kith and Kin in the Northern Zone. In his write up, he shamelessly portrayed himself as a bonafide indigene, so much concerned about the development of his community. Mr. Khalid did not stop there. He described the argument put across by the elite from his community as “untenable as they are also myopic and self serving”. Haba Comrade Khalid, aren’t you going too far with your political activism?. When a stakeholders meeting of the 2 communities of Gombi/Hong was convened to take that decision, why didn’t you come forward with your arguments against the move? If really you are a concerned son of the soil, is it charitable enough to castigate your community on such a weighty issue on the pages of Newspaper? It is not right at all.
The election of Andrawus Sawa as a Senator from Gombi in 1993, is not in doubt. Also, the emergence of Adamu Yahaya as a Senator from Hong in 2003 and that of Fati Abubakar Bala in 2007, but were short lived by PDP magic is not news either. Perhaps what is news, is the role played by Muhammed Khalid as a concerned citizen to curtail and or expose the excesses of those people, he claimed to have robbed the communities of their true representatives. As for the ministerial slot given the area, even Khalid knows that, the choice of the Minister in reference was not the consensus of the generality of the people. Therefore it is only natural that he will feather his personal nest and that of his political godfather.
Therefore I need Comrade Khalid’s answers to the aforementioned posers, before I know where exactly to place him. Whether a political jobber or a realist.
I can now understand why the great Renaissance diplomat and courtier, Niccolo Machiavelli, in his book The 48 Laws of Power admonished people who seek power, especially politicians to learn to use others for their selfish goals. According to him, people who want power and relevance, should endeavour to get others to do any kind of undignified jobs for a fee, while he (the power seeker) takes the credit. Before now, I used to have high regard for the former National Secretary of the NUJ comrade Khalid, as he is popularly referred to by his colleagues. He may have fallen a victim of some of these heartless politicians as illustrated above by Niccolo Machiavelli.
However before he incurs the wrath of people from the Northern Zone for misrepresenting their collective view with regard to the post 1961 plebiscite, let me correct him on some fundamental issues he raised. The Trust Territory ( Sardauna Province) with the indelible mark of Nigeria’s first Premier, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, was a fall out from the defeat of Germany during the Second World War. Although a number of reasons were believed to be responsible for the inability of Mubi chiefdom to be considered for a state in 1976 and 1975, internal wrangling and selfishness from the constituent local governments were mainly fingered as the greatest impediment. It was not betrayals from any part of the state as claimed by Khalid. Lack of good information management and Pull Him Down syndrome among inhabitants of the 5 local governments in the zone, played a greater part. Their counterpart provinces with equal status namely: Sokoto, Kano and Ilorin managed their misunderstanding and had since engendered several states in the former regions at the expense of the former Northern Cameroon.
Back to the glaring dominance of the majority of other ethic tribes in Adamawa by the Nyako-led government. It is only logical for any community which feels aggrieved and suppressed to break away from the old order for a new arrangement as spelt out in the country’s 1999 constitution. To buttress this point, let me refer Comrade Khalid to an article written by one Edward Wabundani titled RATIONALE FOR RE-ADJUSTING ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES which appeared in LEADERSHIP and other national Dailies recently. Quoting him copiously he held an opinion that “Gombi/Hong Federal constituency holds no malice against any individual or group of people in any part of the state, nor are they courting the favours of any in the Northern Senatorial Zone”. I quite agree with him most especially when he explained that, the 2 communities are rather “exercising their fundamental right in choosing where they wish to belong as enshrined in the constitution”. Shikenan!
Though opinions are free while facts remain sacred, the comrade should not allow his good name to be dragged in the mud by self serving politicians who may have used him against law abiding citizens of Gombi/Hong. If he holds contrary opinion on such a sensitive and weighty issue, I suggest a thorough, objective, and analytical views from people of his calibre will save the situation. Not a jaundiced piece like the one in reference. A stitch in time saves nine.
Thlama Shallangwa sent this piece from hospital road Garkida, and can be reached on 08055831656
