SANUSI, IBB, NATIONAL UNITY AND BOKO HARAM APOLOGIST

The ugly faces of Boko Haram has been with us now for some time and just for emphasis only, it has remained more deadlier than ever by the day. Current revelations continue to confirm the obvious fact that the works are within the mill and worse still among those who officially ought to have been trusted. It is a shame.

Long before now, this writer had advocated an early fixing of the now hydra head problem. But trust Nigeria, we never nip in the bud. Nor do we face realities as and when necessary. It is not for nothing therefore that we are in this mud together; we desired it so to speak, now it is with us, so what do we do?

The latest of the adventure of this sect has proved all security operatives wrong! If members of the sect can cause the havoc they did in Kogi on their rescue mission and succeeded in escaping with one of the most wanted ex-soldier, the Rambo like massive destruction speaks volume of what is yet to come. Are we learning? I am yet to believe.

One of the most active acts of our public figures have been to act, say or do things the wrong way and later come on air (because they have the means) to either disclaim their acts, or express through some paid adverts that they were quoted out of context. But why is it that same group of people keep popping up on same issues often times? Who is in the wrong? Is it the public who was fed with these information and so believe? Or the press which published what they heard? Or the speaker who as a matter of fact just desired to do what he/she did only to retract their statements, which as a matter of fact is medicine after death?

Take these starters. Rtd Major General Muhammadu Buhari told Nigerian during the last election that the country would be ungovernable if he failed to win the Presidential election. That was even after he said same day, that he would not go to court over the verdict of the same election. Few hours after the election, hell was let loose. The rest we all know now. We have in the person of Dr. Sanusi Sanusi the award winning Central Bank Governor travelled out of the shores of Nigeria to faraway to promote his anti-south anti-Christian agenda in America. And as if these were not sufficient, Prof. Jubril Aminu, a three term senator, major benefactor of Oil from the south, in December started advocating for the banning of CAN- (Christian Association of Nigeria) as a means of stopping the setting up of Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN). The question he refused to ask himself is how OIC originated. Let him ask IBB of his encounter with late Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa on the issue of OIC set up in Nigeria. It is an open secret to this day to those who should know. But the Sanusis' of Nigeria forget their own words so easily and so soon. It was he who admitted few years back that his people had an agreement not to educate the north. He also forgot so quickly that in his youth, he saw the booming trade in agricultural products of Groundnut, Cotton Benniseed, Hides & Skin to mention a few. He forgot that while the boom went on, his people set up Groundnut Board, Produce Board, Banks and development buildings some of the off shoots of which are the Bank of the North Building in Kano, NNDC Building in Kaduna, among others. Then Sanusi could not say that “There is clearly a direct link between the very uneven nature of distribution of resources and the rising level of violence,” because while it lasted there was peace in the land.

But now, “Oil-producing areas in the predominantly Christian south benefit from 13 per cent of the revenues generated from oil in their area, on top of the federal allocations they and other states receive. As world oil prices have risen over the past decade, this has led to a widening gulf in income between oil-producing states and those without oil. The commercial capital Lagos, which raises 75 per cent of its own revenue from taxes, is the exception. This formula was introduced after the military relinquished power in 1999 among a series of measures aimed at redressing historic grievances among those living closest to the oil and quelling a conflict that was jeopardising output. Big lie! Has he forgotten also that revenue from oil and its derivation as far back as the regime of Yakubu Gowon was upto 5o% and same suffered reduction at cost to the same South who is agitating for paltry increase to 25% from the today 13% derivation? How much was the spread of the northern wealth in their time of merriment?

“When you look at the figures and look at the size of the population in the north you can see there is a structural imbalance of enormous proportions,” Mr. Sanusi said. “Those states simply do not have enough money to meet basic needs while some states have too much money.”

According to official figures, the leading oil producing state, Rivers, received N1,053bn between 1999 and 2008 in federal allocations. By contrast the north-eastern states of Yobe and Borno, where the Boko Haram sect was created, received N175bn and N213bn respectively. Broken down on a per capita basis, the contrast is even starker. In 2008 the 18.97m people who lived in the six states in the north-east received on average N1,156. Could the underdeveloped North cry when the going was good? Why has the North refused to appreciate the South from which all their current bread is being buttered?

Who told Sanusi that the bolted population figure from the North is real? Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa in the Federal house of representative is still there today. It was she who cried after the publication of the Census figure. What was her reason? The reports from the office of Statistics, the number of houses alone in Lagos, was more that the population of entire Kano state! As if that was not enough, this writer asked then and now, which of the bus stops in Kano is as busy as one of the remotest one's in Lagos? The Sabon-Gari Rimi Market bus stop and Gidan Muritala round about or Fegge are together not as busy as Oshodi, Mile 2 or 12, Yaba, Oyingbo. What were their bases of comparison? How many internet Service Providers, Telecom service providers have their head office in Kano or anywhere in the north? These businesses were not set up to favour Lagos for its sake, but for economic reasons. Yet Kano, in history has remained the market center of house West African!

Sanusi can deny even his name if he chooses to, but he is intelligent enough not to omit three (3) solid years in his published CV. Where was he during that period? Why was his PhD in Sharia law? How come that Sanusi the most spendthrift CBN Governor in recent time could dole out N100million in one fell swoop to victims in Maiduguri and N20million to Madalla victim who will receive these largesses? When did this milk of favour develop?

So much for Sansui. IBB – Rtd General Ibrahim Babangida ruled Nigeria for eight years. The longest any man in military toga has done in this country. One of the albatross he bequeathed to us is the current proliferation of violent Islamic movement. To his credit is the 1982 Maitasini movement riot which stated in Bulumkutu in the same Maiduguri Borno State where we still have restless Boko Haram tormenting everyone. Islamic riots moved from Maiduguri to Kano, the Sokoto, by the time it arrived Kaduna at Zangon Kataf, Islamic barbaric bomb (IBB), had reached its peak. Yet then as today there are denials and counter denials. But can the IBB spokes men also disclaim the fact that during his time, there existed a group in the Army called “IBB Boys”? It was from this group, that Military Governors, ministers and other appointments emerged. Who were Col Togun and Haliru? What was their position in their time in the force? Now, while time has taken its toll on everyone, it must be accepted that some of the former Boys are now men and given their economic means can speak for themselves. It is not new that IBB has his pie in all facets of the economy. He had the means. They were at his whims and caprices and still have. If that is to be contested, I will simply ask that current traditional rulers around the country be looked into. What do you see? 90% of them are past senior and retired military officers. Which regime did they serve? Answer for yourself. IBB has remained true to his name “An Evil Genius”

I was a close follower of Rtd General Muhammadu Buhari until the year 2000 when the first and second Sharia riot broke out in Kaduna when his unguarded statements exposed him to be an extreme religious fanatic. Today he has not also disappointed. It is not material now to dwell on the loss of lives which is a common feature everywhere in the North today. So, because even the government at the Federal level has shown at best lip service to the clamour of the people. But suffices it for all to know that with the brief presence of a Southern President, the North has exposed their inordinate desires. Thank God I can say without fear that irrespective of our desire to tear apart or remain as a nation, there cannot be ONE NORTH again. Greed has led all to know which side of the divide they belong.

But while the war rages with the North in assault, it is necessary to ask pertinent questions. Round the world who among the Muslim world has had marginal success in this self inflicted ego trip? God has remained on the throne ever omnipresent and omnipotent. Saddam Husain once threaded this part and when it pleased God, he was extinguished. Recently, the Libyan strong man – Guaddafi paid the supreme price. All these went on while their men fought with most sophisticated weapons. Here in Nigeria, late Sheik Abubakar Gummi once said while alive that no Christian would ever rule Kaduna State. That same year, a Christian woman won the chairmanship election of his very constituency, and a Christian became the Deputy Governor to Ahmed Muhammed Makarffi. The same state is with a Christian Governor today. While all these happen, Christians are on their knees and never resisting! Is God not showing mercy to His children?

How can all these madness be stopped? Professor Jubril Aminu after climbing to the top now wants to cut the ladder he used to go up. No sweat. He is calling for the proscription of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) or MAN (Muslim Association of Nigeria) would be formed. He forgot that unlike Muslims, Christians of different denomination mixes. It is necessary for the government at all level to close all Pilgrim Boards. Religion remains a personal issue and because it is also opium, men of little minds have been swayed through it. Whoever desire pilgrimage should have the means and visit their holy land wherever it is and when ever. Idol worshippers die for what they believe and their money is part of what is used to finance these religious rites which has produced undesired death. Governor Raji Fashola has taken the Bull by the horn now by banning all religious activities in the state secretariat in Lagos. Let other state follow this example and soon we would be back to where we were before the Evil Genius disorganized Nigeria.

Mike O. Akpati is a Public Affair Analyst based in Port Harcourt

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