For a longer period now, I was unable to get the true and acceptable geographical map-out of what middle belt is all about. I travelled across the Northern Nigeria and beyond and critically examined what the middle belt propagandists are calling for. Let me intensify on the official six geo-political zones accepted by our constitution and the two regions adopted by gentle men agreement. In 1999, immediately when Obasanjo was sworn-in, a bill board with inscription “middle belt region” was erected in front of Federal College of Cooperatives at Abuja junction in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The other one was at Ibillo, Ogori–Magongo LGA of Kogi State, precisely, Kogi–Edo States boundary. Recently, Prof. Jerry Gana led his infantry to sympathize and declare their support to Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB. Prof. Gana went ahead to tell Kanu that as soon as Biafra is actualized, the middle belters will join them. I was flabbergasted.
Now, as I said earlier, I could not define what middle belt is and what middle belt is all about! A critical look at the roll call of those involved in what they called middle belt forum are Christians from the North with miserable or sprinkle number of Muslims like Col. Ahmadu Ali (rtd). Prof. Gana attained to all positions he occupied not because he is a middle belter but because he is from Niger State and a Northerner. While serving under IBB or Obasanjo, openly, he had never met them with anything official with respect to middle belt. Going by successive achievements, I don’t know of any developmental or infrastructural contribution Prof. has made to his middle belt. It is evidently clear that he is silently distancing himself from being Nigerlite because of its Muslim dominance. However, at a point in time, he does not always posture himself as Nupe from Bida Emirate. He prefers to be Tarabalite or Plateaulite. All courtesy of his hatred to Muslim–North.
Firstly, if your identity to become a middle belter is to become a Christian North, then the Tarayyar Masihiyawan Nijeriya (TAMANI) are all middle belters. TAMANI is an association of Hausa speaking Christians. They were originally Maguzawas converted to Christianity by Christian missionaries. They are natives of Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States with few numbers (if any) from Kanuri extraction. Looking at the religion as qualifying factor, out of the nineteen Northern States, only Benue, Plateau and Taraba States were dominated by Christians. However, with their sizeable population, Muslims in Taraba State could produce Deputy Governor at all times. There are two Muslim Emirates in Plateau State and Benue South equally produces a number of Muslim faithful especially from Agatu and Idoma elites. Adamawa State is another beautiful place where they consider religion as a doctrine of peace. Beside Yola North, Yola South, Fufore, Girei and Mayo–Baelwa LGAs that are dominated by the Fulani, the rest of the sixteen LGAs of the State are multi ethnic and multi religious. No wonder Michika LGA alone produces Boniface Haruna, Ahmadu Umaru, Bala Ngilari and Jibrilla Bindo as Governors from 1999 to date. Taraba State also, in 1999, Dr. Dalhatu Umaru Sangari, Abdullahi Bala Adamu and Abdulazeez Abubakar Ibrahim were all Muslims elected to represent Taraba south, north and central in the Nigerian Senate respectively. Meanwhile, Alhassan Al-Mahsy Al-Gaddas (Jalingo/Yorro/Zing), Dahiru Bako Gassol (Bali/Gassol), Taura Titus Khanin (Ardo-Kola/Karim-Lamido/Lau), Auta Tafarki Kiriya (Kurmi/Gashaka/Sardauna), Dantani Sunsuwa (Ibi/Wukari) and Abdulazeez Tonku (Donga/Takum/Ussa) were elected into the House of Representatives respectively. In 2003, Zik Ambuno Sunday, Abdulazeez Abubakar Ibrahim and Saleh Usman Danboyi were elected to represent Taraba north, central and south in the Nigerian Senate. However, in 2007 Anthony George Manzo, Dahiru Bako Gassol and Joel Danlami Ikenya were elected to represent Taraba north, central and south in the Nigerian Senate while Albert Tanimu Sam-Tsokwa (Donga/Takum/Ussa), Babangida S. M. Nguroje (Kurmi/Gashaka/Sardauna), Henry M. Shawulu (Jalingo/Yorro/Zing), Isiaka Mohammed Bawa (Ibi/Wukari), Jerimon S. Manwe (Ardo-Kola/Karim-Lamido/Lau) and Kabiru Jalo (Bali/Gassol) were elected into the House of Representatives respectively. In 2011 were the emergence of Aishatu Jummai Alhassan (whom defeated Ex-Governor JT Nyame), Abubakar Umar Tutare and Emma Bwacha representing Taraba north, central and south in the Nigerian Senate while Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Malle (Jalingo/Yorro/Zing), Ibrahim El–Sudi (Kurmi/Gashaka/Sardauna), Albert Tanimu Sam–Tsokwa (Donga/Takum/Ussa), Isiaka Mohammed Bawa (Ibi/Wukari), Jerimon S. Manwe (Ardo-Kola/Karim-Lamido/Lau) and Manu Haruna (Bali/Gassol) were elected into the House of Representatives. The election of 2015 produced Senators Sani Abubakar Danladi, Yusuf A. Yusuf and Emma Bwacha representing Taraba north, central and south. The members of the House of Representatives were Rima M. Shawulu (Donga/Takum/Ussa), Danasabe Charles Hosea (Kurmi/Gashaka/Sardauna), Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Malle (Jalingo/Yorro/Zing), Shiddi Usman Danjuma (Ibi/Wukari), Danladi Baido Tijos (Ardo-Kola/Karim-Lamido/Lau) and Garba Hamma Julde Chede (Bali/Gassol) respectively. Prof. Sir, I emphasized on Taraba State because it is your preferred State and you headed the team that frustrated Alhaji Garba Umar UTC from becoming substantive Governor after Pharm. Danbaba Danfulani Suntai Crashed. Sir, with these diversities, how could you join Kanus’ Biafra? Where is Prof. when tolerantly the Christian Dominated Taraba south elected Muslim as Senator and Muslim dominated Taraba North elected Christian as Senator? At the same time, in some federal constituencies, the same thing applied.
Secondly, if your identity as a middle belter is to become a non Hausa/Fulani speaking elite, then, Prof. Gana and co. got it wrong out rightly. The Hausa/Fulani only dominated Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto States. In Kano state, there are Kuramawas in Doguwa Local Government Area (LGA). In Jigawa State, There are Kanuris, Badawas and Mangawas in Kiri Kasamma, Guri and Birniwa LGAs. There are also some few Yemalawas in Malam Madori and Birnin Kudu LGAs respectively. In Kebbi State, we must not ignore the Dakarkaris of the entire Zuru Emirate, Kungawa of Argungu Emirate. In Kaduna State, we all know how multi ethnic Kaduna south and some part of Central zones are! The Niger State where Prof. Gana originated from; the Kambarawas of Kontagora Emirate almost metamorphosed into Hausa/Fulanis. Minna Emirate, despite dominated by Gwaris (Gbagyi), you may hardly differentiate the civilized Gwaris with the Hausa/Fulanis. Kagara and Suleja Emirates are Hausa/Fulanis. Now, the Bida, Lapai and Agaei Emirates are Nupawas. In the same Adamawa State, There is none or few numbers of Hausa speaking elites as indigene. The Christians of Borno south in Borno State followed the same trend of tolerance with their brothers in Adamawa State. These same cases applied to the Christians of Gombe South in Gombe State. Kwara and Kogi States were not exceptional. However, what is happening with the case of Sayawas from Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa LGAs of Bauchi State is a clear reflection. Nasarawa State was former Benue/Plateau and Plateau States. The geographical location of the State lies at the middle of present Benue and Plateau State. Nasarawa is also a multi religious and multi ethnic State. Although dominated by the Muslim majority, the state is not religiously volatile as in the cases of Plateau State and Kaduna south in Kaduna State.
Thirdly, from Prof. Gana’s diabolical definition of middle belt, the people who benefitted more from the Northern project were middle belters. Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa spent six years as first and only Nigeria’s Prime Minister. General Gowon spent nine years as Nigeria’s Head of State. General IBB spent eight years as Nigeria’s military President and General Abdussalami spent nine months respectively. Out of the forty years rule of the North, Gana’s middle belters spent twenty four years in power. To cap it with more astonishing and amazed insights, when Prof. was Minister had never distinguish himself as middle belter. He was pretending as a busy and patriotic Northerner. Beside the Heads of State at the time, the key players were all middle belters. Under Generals Gowon/Murtala/Obasanjo/IBB/Abacha, General Domkat Yah Bali; Admiral M. H. Nyako; Lt. Gens. Gibson Jalo, T. Y. Danjuma, J. N. Dogonyaro and J. T. Useni; AVMs I. M. Alfa, J. Y. Doko and I. R. Shekari; IGPs Adamu Suleiman and M. G. Jimeta; Maj. Gens. IBM Haruna, J. N. Garba, Martins Adamu, Ilya Bisalla, Abdullahi Muhammed, Anthony Ochefu, Paul Tarfa, Zamani Lekwot, Abdullahi Shelleng, A. H. Hananiya, William Godang Walbe, J. M. Madaki, John Ateyan Madaki, J. M. Inienger and C. A. Garuba; Brig. Gen. David A. B. Mark and J. N. Shagaya; Commodore Lambert Gwom; Air Comm. Dan Suleiman and Pol. Com. Joseph Gomwalk among others were prominent.
In one of his hated speech as a result of Prof. Ango Abdullahi’s support to Arewa Youths Forum, Prof. Gana said: “I thank God Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Chairman, Northern Elders Forum and former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria did not signed my certificate.” At this point, I want to tell Prof. Gana that as a two times graduate of ABU, I equally thank God that you did have the privilege to teach me or sign on any of my ABU documents.
The culture and the traditional institution across the 19 States of the Northern region were similar. The traditional institution for example, the Etsu Nupe, Lapai and Agaie use Turban and Regalia (Alkyabba); the type adopted by Hausa/Fulani Emirs. These are non Hausa/Fulani Chiefs. The whole tribal chiefs in Christian dominated Kaduna South use the same attire. This same applied to the Chiefs from Plateau State. The structure of the chiefdoms in the aforementioned, clearly adopted the Hausa/Fulani style. Lt. Gen. Jerry T. Useni is the Sardauna of Plateau. Most of the prominent traditional titles of the Hausa/Fulani origin such as Galadima, Ciroma, Madaki, Sarkin Yaki, Turaki are adopted by Prof. Gana’s middle belt. Late Muhammadu Dankabo was Turakin later Galadiman Pankshin in Plateau State and Sardaunan Kagoro, Kaura LGA, Kaduna State. The entire North, from Vandekya to Illela, Baruten to Damasak and Idah to Mai’adua uses Hausa/Fulani adopted names such as Danladi, Musa, Yusuf, Danjuma, Jummai, Ladi, Garba, Usaini, Hauwa, Amina etc. Our conventional mode of dressing across the North follows the same trend.
Looking at what Prof. Gana and his team are doing, beyond river Niger and Benue, Northerners are considered the same thing irrespective of religion and tribe. Most of us that served in the Southern part of the country during Kaduna Shari’a riots of 2000; all Northerners were treated equal in the South. Our Christian brothers identified themselves as Christian North, but, that was ignored. Our colleagues then who served in the south–east had more intensive experience than most of us that served in the south–west. We all know what that means. During the same period, I met a serving police officer at Ise–Ekiti in Ekiti State. He was a Christian from Kaduna south. He identified himself as Bazazzagi (Meaning a bonafide indigene of Zaria). We maintained the normal jokes of Kanawa and Zagezagi until the time he retired. We are all aware that our Southern colleagues consider Northerners as Hausas. While building at that, they thought all Hausas are Muslims. This is the reason why Prof’s Christian faith is questionable in the eyes of our southern brothers.
Now, assuming Biafra succeeded, how could Prof. move Niger State to Biafra Zionist Nation where he was already appointed Minister of Transport by Chief Onwuka? I don’t know what will happen since the agitation of middle belt forum is purely religious. Even in his own Niger State, and Niger South to be precise, there are three Emirates controlled by Etsu Muslims. How could such a divisive move be tolerated? May be, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi will come to their rescue with judicial/constitutional interpretation.
Assuming middle belt had an institutional recognition, there would have been middle belt Governors forum, middle belt Senators forum, middle belt members’ forum and middle belt speakers’ forum respectively. Prof., your Niger State Governor, Senators, Members of House of Representatives and Speaker of the States’ House of Assembly and however, those from Taraba, Plateau and Benue States are part and parcel of anything North. Where were you when Hon. Victor Lar from Plateau State became Chairman, Northern Members Forum? During the Jonathan’s National conference, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi from Niger State served as co-chair! He was appointed to represent the entire Northern interest.
If Prof’s vituperations are for Buhari and his government, kindly, consider Buhari as a total failure. The numbers of people becoming poor and poorer are his kinsmen from North. The number of legal businesses Col. Hameed Ali killed under his watch are owned by Northerners. The openings he made into so many businesses were to the advantage of South-westerners. An average Northerner under Jonathan could afford a guaranteed three square meal on daily basis. Salary payments were consistent. There were some levels of merits in appointments. Now, Northerners in particular and Nigerians in general lost all that glory. Criticize Buhari and his government alone because they failed woefully, we are in support of that, but, leave the ordinary man to search for a way to heal the wound they created. Hatred for Buhari should not affect ordinary man. Although, Northerners made a mistake of voting APC blindly in 2015, but that is not enough for Prof. to go this way. We all love ourselves and we need one another.
Dr. M. I. Ghude, MNSAP, wrote-in from Gude Model Town, Kabo LGA, Kano State, Nigeria. elghudemusa@yahoo.com
