If power shifts to south, VP must be a northern Muslim

…Tinubu is rich, he has experience wisdom, politically connected but with baggage

…Fayemi is young, energetic but not well known

…Who north may favour

…How we can solve the problems of the Fulani herdsmen

By Emmanuel Aziken

Prof. Sahabi Danladi Mahuta, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, is a renowned Islamic scholar and Professor of Environmental Biochemistry at the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Mahuta, is also chairman, of the Kebbi Development Forum, KDF, a forum that draws leaders from various sectors of society.

Following a meeting of Islamic leaders in Abuja, Prof Mahuta in an interview spoke on contemporary issues in the polity. Excerpts:

Northern Nigeria has been taken over by bandits. How did we get here?Finding solutions to problems bedeviling the North and charting the way forward is why we are gathered here. To answer your question, basically two reasons are responsible for these problems; low literacy rate and youths unemployment.

The Fulani problem in the north is historic and there’s the need for proper understanding before a solution can be proffered. The way the western missionaries were accepted in the south, they were treated with rejection and suspicion in the north. BOKO means literarily western education, but if an Hausa man says you want to use Boko for me, he’s no longer talking about western education, but ‘’deceit’’ which is the pejorative meaning of boko. So, from the beginning, there has been suspicion about western education from the north and that tells you why the literacy level is low, because the offer of western education by the west was viewed with suspicion.

Has government efforts addressed these malaise?

Not at all, because they have not been sincere and single minded about finding solution to the problem

At the root of these social problems lies the Almajiri system, which offers regular streams of recruitment for bandits, Boko Haram and kidnappers, what do you think can be done to address the problem?

First, the government should recognize the existence of Almajiri as a system of education in the North, by at least establishing a data base of all the Almajiri schools in the country. You see, those who drop their wards in Almajiri schools see their action as a religious obligation because seeking of knowledge is a religious duty. We all know the Almajiri system of education is defective because they just memorize without knowing the meaning. To know the meaning, you have to come back for further education, but this educational system can be made effective by the introduction of English Language writing, Mathematics and entrepreneurship skills that would make them useful to the society.

Thereafter, any other interventions can follow. Both systems worked fine in other countries, so it can work if well integrated in Nigeria but it is dangerous to ignore the Almajiri problem. Slightly linked is the problem of herders, cattle rustlers, bandits and kidnappers in the north.

General Babangida started the nomadic education policy but was stopped after he left office. That stoppage practically put the Fulani herdsmen out of touch with government, civilization and out of the reach of even Islamic scholars.

They were let loose. They felt abandoned. This is someone who is ignorant of education, government, abandoned in the bush, following cattle anywhere. To them, every human being is wicked and an oppressor. Government must rise up and find a solution to this big social problem of Almajiri and the Fulani herders .

As a renowned Islamic scholar, is there a role religion can play in solving the problem of Almajiris in the North?

Yes. As a commonly acceptable system of learning amongst northern Muslims, to change it, or, at least, modify the Almajiri educational institutions, proper Islamic channel and concepts must be understood and inculcated so it doesn’t appear as a desecration of the belief system.

We only postpone the evil day if we don’t start with an educational and social system that would integrate the Almajiris and Fulani herders into the society effectively.

The reward system for political stalwarts seems very poor in the APC, do you see this as a problem as we move towards 2023?

Lack of reward system for political stalwarts will be one of the major problems of APC come 2023 because those who worked for the victory of the party have been left in the lurch by this winner takes all syndrome of the party. Unfortunately, there won’t be a Buhari to rally Northern votes for the party anymore.

Power is expected to shift southwards in 2023. As a renowned politician and Islamic scholar, do you expect power shift on just regional basis or also on religious grounds for effective representation?

Once religious factors come into the equation of power shift, then there is going to be a problem, but honestly we can’t run away from that. You see, after eight years of power in the hands of a Northern Muslim, it would be proper for a shift to a Southern Christian. A Southern Muslim can however aspire if people of the South-south, South-east , South-west and Middle -belt are agreed and comfortable not to have any adherent of their faith on the ticket.

What is however not acceptable to us in the North is a Southern Muslim picking a Northern Christian as his Vice- presidential candidate.

Are you indirectly calling for a Muslim/Muslim ticket?

People would point at the 1993 MKO Abiola/Kingibe ticket, but I can tell you as a major player in the north, that Nigeria of 2020 is not Nigeria of 1993.We are too fragmented and religiously divided for a mono -religious ticket to fly now. Secondly, there’s no politician of the ilk of MKO alive now.

The Southwest is about the stronghold of the APC in the South. Given the repeated mention of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Kayode Fayemi, how do you in the North rate them?

One, none of the two politicians have announced intention to contest, so we can only guess. Tinubu is old (experience and age wise), politically well connected and rich which is a big factor in Nigeria politics but carries a lot of baggage which is not unknown to us. Fayemi is young and energetic, but, not well known by many. The struggle for power between the duo (old warhorse and the greenhorn) is a generational fight if I must say.

Let me use Kebbi as an example of this generational battle. Tinubu became governor in 1999 and so is close to Adamu Aliero who is a godfather now, but Fayemi is friend of Atiku Bagudu who is the present governor. You can see why I said it’s a generational battle? After the Buhari experience, the thinking in the north now favors a younger, educated leadership and Fayemi scores higher in that realm. I’m not sure if we are ready for someone of the same age with President Buhari again in view of our present experience.

That’s not taking anything away from Atiku Abubakar and Ahmed Tinubu, but age is definitely not on their side anymore. In America, they can have a Trump or Biden because they have institutions that run on auto-pilot, we don’t have such luxury here, so we can’t continue to recycle aged people and end up with semi-senile leadership.

Even in the north, there is a great agitation for generational power shift.

Our system is still susceptible to ethnic, religious and other abuses, hence we need agile and 24 hour- eagle-eyed monitoring. Health, integrity, age and education are critical requirements in this regard. Like I said earlier, if people of the south are comfortable with a Muslim/Muslim leadership, they can present a Muslim presidential candidate, but the one coming from the north must be a northern Muslim. That is not negotiable.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/11/2023-what-north-wants-after-buhari-prof-mahuta/

hmmm ok

They are to dictate who will be deputy, where he should come from and religion he practices. Na willful idiots down south i blame.

If this is the case, then they should pick Zulum. We need someone with a touch of empathy there. So Zulum should be Vice President. For Presidency, not sure yet...

This man drank shinapp before the interview.

slaves ona hear?

Age is not a problem here mister! Isn’t that why the president is being supported by ministers and permanent Sec. being president is all about that decisive decisions/judgement he takes at critical time because he’s way experienced and I see no other man here than Tinubu

The man is sincere in his thoughts and expressions. Regardless, Tinubu will not be president of Nigeria in 2023 or at any other time.

This is my favorite candidate. Tinubu/ ribadu.
What is my business with religious.
The Dubai Christians going every day was governed by Islamic. And Everyone living in peace with harmony.

European countries was governed by Christians and muslims are living there without any fear.

The north keeps repeating the same crap every year but have zero solution.

According to this religion fanatic, Northern Christian minority can not rule this country or become Vice president in Nigeria. It is better all six region in the country have their president/prime minister as we had it during regional government then

Like I said earlier, if people of the south are comfortable with a Muslim/Muslim leadership, they can present a Muslim presidential candidate, but the one coming from the north must be a northern Muslim. That is not negotiable.

Meaning the hoarde of multiple northern minority Christians have no say as far as governing this nation is concerned.Imagine this load of shitcrap by this fella.They will just open their mouths to yarn trash as if they own this nation.Gowon, TY Danjuma, Jerry Usani, Domkat Bali,
Zamani Letwok, una don hear?

A South East Christian president should be paired with a North West or North East Muslim. That's the most realistic outcome that would fly. Any other outcome will lead to crises and Nigeria is currently too fragile and fragmented to toy with Muslim/Muslim ticket or another Northern president after Buhari.

Summary of the “Shit” above:

The North is an Islamic State.
While
The South is a Secular State.

conclusion


We are better divided.

Right from the time of Ahmadu Bello, Northern Christians and minorities have always been seen as conquered slaves.

Lol, going by this man's statement which echoes the prevalent sentiment in the core North, they won't allow a Christian vice president to represent them. Now, this begs the question, if they can't allow a Christian to represent the North as vice president, is it president they will allow?!

I really pity for Northern Christians and minorities

Kweensavvy:
If this is the case, then they should pick Zulum. We need someone with a touch of empathy there. So Zulum should be Vice President. For Presidency, not sure yet...

Presidency is Umahi

Firstly, I doubt if most people that comment above read the stuff from beginning to the end.

The man obviously have deep sense of analysis. Firstly, Tinubu will not be able to go for presidency on the ground of religion and age. And there are many issues hanging around his neck now. For any group to appeal to the agitating youths, she must present a relatively young candidate.The people on the line now are Fayemi, Osinbanjo, Amechi.

The northern Christians have significant number but they have not been able to leverage their position. As long as they are aligning with the north, the cannot smell such position. For any Christian president from the south to have significant vote from the north (which is required by law to have at least 25% of all votes casts in at least 24 states in order to be a president), such candidate has to go for a Muslim vice.

Another issue is that if northern Christians have significant number of voters and pose some sort of threat to northern Moslims, knowing the north and how prone they are to violence, the Christians will be attacked during election.

Tinubu is the most popular southern politician in the north. Argue with your Senior brother.


I AM DONE TALKING

OfficialAwol:


Presidency is Umahi

Who's going to vote for APC?

OfficialAwol:


Presidency is Umahi

And I forgot Zulum is APC too but doesn't act it. Quite different. It's going to be tough if the APC picks Zulum+Umahi...will be tough for opposition for many reasons.

Kweensavvy:


Who's going to vote for APC?

A lot might happen before 2023.

Nothing is sure yet.

OfficialAwol:


A lot might happen before 2023.

Nothing is sure yet.

Hmmm is it not APC that we know again? Okay ooo