MONDAY LINES

'Mamman Daura seeks competence'

By Lasisi Olagunju

(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday 3 August, 2020)

Leader of the 'unseen' persons ruling us, Alhaji Mamman Daura, spoke last week. He said enough of turn-by-turn presidency for Nigeria. He decreed that North-South rotation of the presidency of Nigeria should be dead; from 2023, the most competent among contenders would be put in the Presidential Villa. The Afenifere reacted sharply; the North is silent; the Ohanaeze spoke hard. Leaders of the Niger Delta also kicked against Daura's executive order banning zoning of the presidency. But what can their puny noise do to a people who built their confidence on solid rock? When a man whose lips rarely move decides to speak out, you had better drop all you are doing and listen carefully. The man who spoke is not known to be a flippant person. He spoke as the mouthpiece of a mysterious clan of northern electoral deciders. Ignore the fuddling statement from Muhammadu Buhari that Mamman's statement was his personal opinion. The eighty-something-year-old man didn't speak for himself. He spoke for the opaque, predatory system he represents which has benefitted from the opposite of competence all through our national history.

The Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) produced the Federal Government that succeeded the British. It started almost immediately to lower standards in virtually all areas so that the North could lead. That was where Nigeria got its knock-kneed, unbalanced load it forever carries. The case of the army, as recorded in the biography of Nigeria's first minister of defence, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, is particularly galling. The Balewa government said it "found it difficult and frustrating to find sufficient Nigerian officers the army needed" and therefore "ordered the lowering of the academic admission standard." Under the British, potential officers "had to have four credits, including English, in the School Certificate Examination," the Balewa government "lowered this to four passes." It "still found it difficult to fill the quota of certain areas" and ordered "further lowering to a Teachers Grade 11 Certificate or Royal Society of Arts Stage 11 Examination." The "maximum age of entry was raised from 22 years to 25 - just to make it possible for areas where schooling started late to make it..." The 'reforms' made it possible for certain recruits to go train at Mons, OCS, Aldershot, England "and be back in Nigeria as a second lieutenant within sixteen months after leaving secondary school" (See 'The Power of Powers: A biography of The Late Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu' on page 37). The tragedy of these records is that they were put in that book as part of the achievements of the Balewa government. There are records too of rapidly promoted persons in some state civil service transferred to federal service to senior positions. Products of this standard-lowering policy later seized Nigeria in 1966 and have remained in power since. They ruled yesterday; they are in power today. They are the ones now teaching us the merit of 'competence' over zoning.

There was an audacious organisation called Kaduna Mafia. The rump of that old order is what we call the cabal today. The Mafia was a band of well-read, ultra-conservative Hausa/Fulani/Kanuri elite. It was founded to advance Lugard's agenda and make southern Nigeria a helpless colony of the North. We heard so much of these persons and their group in the years from the 1970s to the very early 1990s. We were told (and we knew) that these were not ordinary men. They worked very hard and thought deeply and pushed hard enough to arrive at today's near absolute northern vice-hold on Nigeria. In December 2009 when a key member of that clan, Ibrahim Tahir, died, Mamman Daura wrote a very beautiful piece he entitled 'Ibrahim Tahir: An Appreciation.' The tribute almost said the unknown about the Mafia and its nocturnal ways. He revealed that after the civil war, "there was an intellectual core of young Northerners who influenced the direction of the country’s policy." These people, he wrote, "were drawn from all disciplines." He gave their names: "Adamu Fika, Adamu Ciroma, Iya Abubakar, Gidado Idris, Mahmud Tukur, Umaru Dikko, Tunji Oyinloye, Salihi Ilyasu, Datti Ahmad, Jibril Aminu, Mike Angulu, Ibrahim Tahir, Rilwan Lukman, Suleiman Kumo, Yaya Abubakar, Abubakar Koko, Baba Gana Kingibe and Paul Belabo." He forgot to name himself, Ahmed Joda, Umaru Muttalab, Ibrahim Damcida, Hamza Rafindadi Zayyad, Sani Daura, Ismaila Isa Funtua and Mohammed Rafindadi as members. He did not also remember their military strategists led by Generals Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, Muhammadu Buhari and Abba Kyari (not the one who was in the Villa and died recently. This Kyari was military governor of North-Central State between 1967 and 1974). But Mamman remembered to describe all these people as "men who were passionate about their country and contributed to the betterment of their region and their country," men who would start "a meeting at 8pm and go on till 4 or 5am"...and "reconvene at 9am," keeping this up for straight four or five days. They were that hardheaded and focused on their goal of keeping Nigeria forever as a worthy bequest from their fathers to their own children. An author said the Kaduna Mafia operated "almost at the same level with the CIA. The CIA could plant something on the most unusual places; they could get the most unusual people to do certain things for them."

They talk less; they think and plan more. They never let even their friends into the bedroom of their thoughts and that was why the stunned called them a Mafia. The Kaduna Mafia and its successor cabal had/has a blueprint, an agenda which they pass from regime to regime. They win over and use or destroy whoever stands in their way. And they appear to have finally succeeded now — especially with the absolutist Hausa/Fulani/Kanuri-centric government we have had since 2015.

Many of the original Mafia members are late now; one died last month but just before he (Isa Funtua) died, a video of him saying something close to what Mamman Daura said last week circulated in the social media. Perhaps because it did not trend enough, the big masquerade, Mamman, had to repackage and relaunch the missile through their good, old BBC Hausa Service. Their presidency on saturday weighed in with its own part, seeking to confuse the stupid with claims that Mamman's Hausa was mis-translated. It did not tell us who did the 'bad' translation; it did not give us the correct version of what he said. It did not tell us why the well-read man chose to speak Hausa and not English that would need no translation and which the whole country understands. Or is Hausa the language of competence?

If you heard what Mamman Daura said last week, just know that he spoke on behalf of the living and the dead on the Mafia list above. What he said wasn't a hollow homily. It was a deliberate proclamation, a call to 'war.' The 'competence' he mentioned was a euphemism for feudal sit-tight in the presidential seat. The die is cast, the North is ready for the next level in its engagement with the South; it is not letting go of the presidency in 2023. It is now an advocate of merit in presidential contests.

For the past five years, the North has ruled Nigeria like a colony. There has never been any such unpretentiously sectional government at our centre since independence. Everything that is held in common is put in the northern warehouse, hoarded for its regional benefit. The attitude down south is that Buhari's 'northern' government is 'sùúrù to l'ójó' (patience that is timed). Because the very long years are about to end - and they must end - the executioner is now afraid of all swords, real and imagined. He wants to change the rules of engagement so that his parochial business can continue as usual. It doesn't work like that. My people say the stingy is red-eyed twice — when he eats his food alone and when his neighbours eat theirs.

The North is now talking about competence after using incompetence to hold down the other parts. Mamman Daura did not define what he meant by 'competence.' I would have clapped for that suggestion but history has a way of warning humanity about rule makers who have never obeyed any of their own rules. Let me, however, counsel against abusing Mamman. The wise should rather think and counter his mafia's plans to have its cake after eating it. If you are not happy about what he said, tell your own small and large intestines to think deep and plan well on how to be free from the net of the fowler. For instance, why should we be talking competence only about the top job? Someone said a sound society evolves from a bottom-top approach. Can we start talking 'merit' and 'competence' from the basics by scrapping our obnoxious quota system today ahead of 2023? Can Mamman Daura and President Buhari and their clan lead in insisting on merit in school admissions, enlistment into the forces, work placements and promotion in the federal service?

'Mamman Daura seeks competence' was the headline of a newspaper story last week. My people say he who would clothe another must first be seen clothed. A naked king decreeing that his successor must have a thousand babanriga needs a mirror for self-assessment. Every person who has been a beneficiary or an enabler of the institutionalisation of mediocre culture in Nigeria is not qualified to talk about competence or merit in 2020 for 2023 and forever.
The South should talk less and act more in Unity and not foolishly.
The North knows they can't survive a united South not talk of a Southern force garnished with a North central so what did they plan:
Take over the key Military and paramilitary
Reduce the voting prowess of the South (yes they are educated but how ardent is the voting power.
Proclaim that the North has more population through census and achieve this lapse by including minors and non Nigerian.
Divide them along Tribe abd religion line(as many Muslim Yorubas will be used and dumped for this selfish reason
Allocate their resource to F.G but allocate those in the core North to Northern land owners.
Allow Hausa -Fulanis to be able to carry weapons(guns and Dagger)are you articipating in local and Nigerian politics,are you getting enlightened about the Hausa -Fulanis agenda of Divide them and rule them ,if you think the Hausa-Fulani Dominance is by shear coincidence (despite them being not so educated like others)
Do you Keep fighting your fellow Southern man??
Do you know who to vote for?,do you have your voters card?
what are the tool used by the Hausa-fulani for this dominance and how are you going to put it in check Come 2023

2023 will be quite interesting.

Southern Nigeria has the SW/SE/SS zones. One of these 3 zones are well known traitors that have sabotaged Southern unity. We all know the zone I'm talking about.

kingzizzy:
Southern Nigeria has the SW/SE/SS zones. One of these 3 zones are well known traitors that have sabotaged Southern unity. We all know the zone I'm talking about.

if you ask a SS man, he will tell you why Jonathan couldn't change the system to free the south feom the shackle of the North and how he was betrayed during re-election .
He will tell you how he was unable to implement the confab report.
If you ask a Yoruba man,he will tell you how the rest of the South betrayed Awolowo twice from becoming the President and how the Ibos opted for unitary system of government (which they thought will be a good tool in they own hand) that was hijack by the Hausa-fulani and if you ask a Typical ibo man he will tell you why they felt The Yoruba should have seceeded with the Biafra Declaration in 1966 and Awolowo connived with the North to massacre the ibos


Enough of these,we don't need to trade blame.
Who is benefitting from our fights??
what is the way forward?
What can be done to check things??
The North is more Multi-ethnic than the South,but you rarely hear two voices from the North.
East and west Germany were having different politcal ideologies but today they are one of the best countries in the world in might and standard.
How do the South and North central check this Hausa-fulani dominance for an effective country??
Do any one beget a sound plan,imagine your are in power as a president from the Southern extraction,how will you restore and put things right.
Don't let us just complain,let's share solution on the Largest Black Forum about the country.

Summary pls

kingzizzy:
Southern Nigeria has the SW/SE/SS zones. One of these 3 zones are well known traitors that have sabotaged Southern unity. We all know the zone I'm talking about.

You could enlighten NL's about the said zone....

The zone might have been ejected temporary from Nigeria in 2011.

kingzizzy:
Southern Nigeria has the SW/SE/SS zones. One of these 3 zones are well known traitors that have sabotaged Southern unity. We all know the zone I'm talking about.

I swear you're right.
lemme give you hints
The region plotted with the North, he became a ceremonial president.
While his fellow southern brother gave him a better option.

helinues:
Summary pls

Lzaa Immhotep
See one of the willing tools here, he can't even take pains to read and I'm no longer suprised at his general behavior on NL

Blackking98:

Lzaa Immhotep
See one of the willing tools here, he can't even take pains to read and I'm no longer suprised at his general behavior on NL

You could have summarized the epistle....

Is the epistle about increasing workers salary? Most especially we at BMC?

Blackking98:

Lzaa Immhotep
See one of the willing tools here, he can't even take pains to read and I'm no longer suprised at his general behavior on NL

Aunty helen

LZAA:

Aunty helen

It's sweeting him now
When they're done with southern kaduna his region is next, and just as afonja betrayed his people so will that muric clown sell them off

helinues:


You could have summarized the epistle....

Is the epistle about increasing workers salary? Most especially we at BMC?

even if I summarize it you still won't be able to read, BMC is known for employing zombies , examples are you and that suya seller called manna

Blackking98:

even if I summarize it you still won't be able to read, BMC is known for employing zombies , examples are you and that suya seller called manna

Good they are not jobless like some NL trollers...

An interesting read. While the Igbo's and Yorubas are fighting each other, the North is perfecting their plans. Only one thing is missing in their plan. ALL POWER BELONGS TO GOD

helinues:


Good they are not jobless like some NL trollers...

is it your uncle that told you I'm jobless?
Some of us our data subscription a month is enough to pay you for two months
A bricklayers job is more honourable than working for BMC

Blackking98:

is it your uncle that told you I'm jobless?
Some of us our data subscription a month is enough to pay you for two months
A bricklayers job is more honourable than working for BMC

Wait, are you one of the trollers?

Not only me not understanding, your remember Chibukor, Chibukor now that slim guy wey dey live adjacent your house, yeah he is also interested to know..

kingzizzy:
Southern Nigeria has the SW/SE/SS zones. One of these 3 zones are well known traitors that have sabotaged Southern unity. We all know the zone I'm talking about.

they don't want igbo man to be the President they will do anything it didn't happen .they kn is only igbo man can dismantle any nonsense cabal in Nigeria.one day is one day.

helinues:


Wait, are you one of the trollers?

Not only me not understanding, your remember Chibukor, Chibukor now that slim guy wey dey live adjacent your house, yeah he is also interested to know..

wtf is a chibukor
Go sleep

The south can only break the so called stronghold of the North by a united south ready to give their total support for the emergence of a president from the south east anything short of this can only result to a continues division in the southern Nigeria and a stronger northern stronghold on the rest of the country.
We have always voted others,yet none is ready to vote for us. A president from the south east is the only way to go.

Blackking98:

wtf is a chibukor
Go sleep

Hahahahaha, don't tell me you have easily forgotten about Chibukor now, that slim guy wey dey adjancent your house wey dey always beat you cos he Sabi pass you..

No be his fair sister, Lauretta you dey eye that time...

helinues:


Hahahahaha, don't tell me you have easily forgotten about Chibukor now, that slim guy wey dey adjancent your house wey dey always beat you cos he Sabi pass you..

No be his fair sister, Lauretta you dey eye that time...

The small 30k you're collecting you've used it for liquor and weed
Now you're coming here to express your mumuness

Blackking98:

The small 30k you're collecting you've used it for liquor and weed
Now you're coming here to express your mumuness

Eggzactly.. Apart from not being jobless, it simply means no boring life nor hateful life to have time to troll others.

And also when you are high, you should be almost close the sky, that gives an advantage of seeing more better than those below struggling and wish they could....

helinues:


Eggzactly.. It simply means no boring life nor hateful life to have time to troll others.

And also when you are high, you should be almost close the sky, that gives an advantage of seeing more better than those below struggling and wish they could....

Wish they could waste on weed and liquor?
No go find better work

Blackking98:

Wish they could waste on weed and liquor?
No go find better work

The small 30k you're collecting you've used it for liquor and weed

Who is high on weed and liquor between you and I?

Seh you know you have yet to and answer Chibukors question about you being a troller ..

BTW, Lauretta is saying hi

helinues:




Who is high on weed and liquor between you and I?

Seh you know you have yet to and we're Chibukors question about you being a troller ..

BTW, Lauretta is saying hi

You can't read so i dont expect you to comprehend anyway
You mean lauretta your mum? I've been dickin her good, any problem?

Blackking98:

You can't read so i dont expect you to comprehend anyway
You mean lauretta your mum? I've been dickin her good, any problem?

Have respect for others parents even if you dont have one...

helinues:


Have respect for others parents even if you dont have one...

I do have great respect for your mum, and in return she spreads legs for me

Blackking98:

I do have great respect for your mum, and in return she spreads legs for me

I will always be proud to be Omoluwabi ( born with great and honor)...

Taught with respect and cultured words... We are proud of our ancestors.

And btw, I won't waste my energy to report you, hope one or 2 mods would stumbled on this thread...

I would prefer it naturally....

helinues:


I will always be proud to be Omoluwabi ( born with great and honor)...

Taught with respect and cultured words... We are proud of our ancestors.

And btw, I won't waste my energy to report you, hope one or 2 mods would stumbled on this thread...

I would prefer it naturally....

Oh you didn't remember you were an omluabi when you were mentioning fictional chibukor and lauretta
You can't look for my trouble then determine how I retaliate
Stop crying