Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, the 5th Wazirin Katsina has called on the north to unite and prepare for self-determination, mirroring the actions of their counterparts from the southern part of the country.
Lugga made the call in Katsina while addressing participants at a one-day community engagement event organised by the Coalition of Northern Group CNG, themed: “Imperative of Popular Participation in Tackling Socioeconomic Challenges Bedeviling Nigeria Through Community Solutions.”
The 5th Wazirin Katsina decried what he termed the lack of unity among northerners in standing up for their rights. He contrasted this with the determination of the Biafrans who have persistently fought for their own country.
Speaking in Hausa, Prof. Lugga stated that there is need for northerners to come together and prepare for the possibility of separation.
Drawing reference from the British colonial era, Lugga pointed out how the policies implemented during that era contributed to the regional tensions that continue to challenge Nigeria’s progress. He recalled the concerns raised by early Nigerian leaders, whom he said recognised the fragility of the union.
“I want to remind us that in March 1953, Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, at a gathering, highlighted the mistake of 1914, when the British joined the north and south. Our early leaders were uncomfortable with this union. Similarly, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo expressed similar concerns and warned that if the north were to break away, the southeast and southwest would follow suit.
“As you can see, since 1953, Nigeria has been unstable, and it remains so till today.”
On insecurity, Lugga commended the southern states who had taken proactive measures by purchasing helicopters to enhance their security capabilities even though their security issues was less severe than that faced in the north. He laments that while the security situation in the south might be far less than what is obtainable in the north, the north had regrettably remained passive in its response to the menace.
“Out of 100, the security situation in the south is less than 10% of what we experience in the North. Yet, we in the North have done nothing.
“Today, we have the Amotekun, a regional security force in the southwest. The Biafrans, who triggered problems for the country by killing Tafawa Balewa in 1966, continue to clamour for their own country. But we in the North have not united to make a similar demand for our own country, like the Biafrans and Amotekun. Moreover, I have not seen any plans in place for what would happen to the north if the south were to succeed in breaking away. How would we survive on our own?” Lugga sought answers.
On his part, the National Coordinator of the Coalition, Jamilu Charanchi called for urgent community-led actions to address the myriad of problems facing Nigeria, including insecurity, economic hardship, and corruption. He
warned that the time of lamentation is over as virtually all Nigerians know that the country is in a serious mess.
Charanchi stressed that the Coalition is committed to empowering communities to take charge of their own destinies. “We believe that by fostering community involvement, we can find sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our region,” he said.
The CNG National President blamed the country’s leadership for its failure to address the root causes of Nigeria’s problems. “Our leaders are more concerned with securing their next elections than securing the future of our nation. We need leaders who are committed to serving the people and not themselves.”
“So these are the reasons we have seen and have come to realise that our leaders are not even ready to address the problems. And to some extent, not only the leaders but even ourselves, we have a contribution to make so that at least we can get ourselves out of this quagmire.
Lamenting further, Charanchi said, “It’s very unfortunate we don’t have leaders in this country. All we have in this country are politicians and the problem with politicians. They always care about how to secure the next election. But a true leader cares about how to secure the next generation.”
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The president of the coalition argued that it’s futile to urge leaders to change, stating, ‘I highly doubt our leaders have a fear of God. I doubt if they believe in an afterlife. I doubt if they possess basic humanity. And I doubt if they understand that serving humanity is a form of serving God. We have self-centered leaders who prioritize personal enrichment and plundering the treasury.
“So, the main target here is for the community to know how they can contribute to alleviate the problem bedeviling the region. After this meeting, we will mandate the leaders to go back and summon their members and tell them all the information they have gotten here,” Charanchi said.
The Chairman Board of Trustees for the CNG, Dr. Nastura Ashir Sharif, explained the rationale behind choosing Katsina as the venue for the summit. “We are keen to launch this initiative in Katsina as it has emerged as a leading voice in Nigeria’s security discourse.” He acknowledged the state government’s proactive approach to security, citing the state’s establishment of a State Elders’ Committee and a Security Trust Fund.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State, commended the organisers of the meeting, noting that the State Government has done a lot in tackling the issue of insecurity.
The Katsina Governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, advised the youth to learn from the bad experience witnessed during the recent nationwide End Bad Governance protests.