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A Power Shift To The North: A Development Approach By Dr. Enyantu Ifenne Deputy Secretary- General, Northern Union Forwarded by Mohammed Haruna
Last night, I informed my nephew that I would attend a forum for Northern political leaders in Kaduna. His retort was quick. ”Are we Northerners?” To some, this reaction from an accomplished professional from Benue state may be puzzling. Yet, it resonates a recurring subject in national political debate; to wit, “Does the North exist as an entity in Nigeria?” In other words, in the Nigerian situation, who or what defines the north?
The geo-political definition of the North as the region from which the 19 northern states were carved is well-known. Those who subscribe to this simple description of the north dispute its existence and dismiss its relevance as a cohesive political entity in Nigeria’s nascent democracy. Indeed, for some, the north is a mere geographic expression, a myth or at best, the ashes of a historical political hegemony. Yet, for the peoples of the north to flourish within Nigeria’s embryonic democracy, the region requires an organic and more functional self -definition. The articulation of a northern development identity should make a more compelling case for our quest for power shift in 2007. In effect, we need a development- driven definition of the North. But how?
Let us rank Nigeria’s 36 states on a score chart of socio-economic development indices such as infant and maternal mortality, primary school enrollment, JAMB enrollment and poverty levels. When this is done, it will be evident that the states with the lowest aggregate score on the chart are the 19 northern states. Thus in development terms, the north should be defined as the most disadvantaged region of Nigeria. This empirical evidence of regional marginalization should be utilized to reconfigure our message to Nigerians towards political power shift in 2007. Indeed, we make a more compelling case by stressing the social and economic underdevelopment of the region than we do threatening fire and brimstone. Therefore, our advocacy message for power shift should be reframed to include and embrace all Nigerians. In effect, our communication strategy should underscore equity, justice and balanced economic and social development of Nigeria.
Accordingly, the northern approach to political power shift should be modified to achieve the following;
1 Activate northern political leadership to perform a critical self evaluation. In this regard, northern political leaders must look beyond external political threats and accept responsibility, at least in part, for failure to utilize access to power at federal, state and local levels to develop the region and empower northerners.
2 Generate awareness and participation by all stakeholders so that northerners across our ethnic and religious divides appreciate the social and economic issues at stake in power shift. In other words, our quest for power shift in 2007 must be democratized to dispel two hazardous notions. First, is the concern that power shift is a self-serving project of power thirsty northern elites. The center stage parade of the old brigade of northern politicians, some of them renegades, undermines our case. Secondly, we must alleviate genuine fears amongst northern minorities and challenge the propaganda machine of opposition forces that only dominant northern interests desire power shift to the extent that when the mission is accomplished, northern minorities would, once again, have been used and dumped.
3 Consolidate northern unity around power shift, rebuild trust among northerners and preempt religious and ethnic conflict in the region. In this regard, northern leaders must extend the campaign beyond the present emphasis on leaders’ round-table restricted to Kaduna and Abuja.
4 Elicit a grassroots-driven northern Vision and develop a Northern Economic and Social Agenda immediately. This Agenda and its implementation benchmarks for each sector and every state should be disseminated and mainstreamed so that all northern aspirants to elective and appointed positions at local, state and federal levels are held accountable. We must learn from our past mistakes and ensure that when power shifts, the north is positioned to manage power for people-centered social and economic development of the region. We must reiterate here that, when power shifts to the north in 2007, in sha Allah, it cannot, repeat cannot, be business as usual. The social and economic rights of people must be reinstated as the centerpiece of political leadership.
Conclusion. In the end, all we are saying is that power must shift to the North in 2007. We should defend the principle of equity, fair play and justice which is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. More importantly, we must emphasize politics as a tool for social integration and development. We must assure Nigerians across board that the unity and stability of Nigeria is strengthened by the unity and development of the north.
Also, since we believe that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands, we must put our northern house in order. To achieve this, let us be inspired by our shared experiences. For example, I was born into a North that had neither “middle belt” nor “marginal belt’. Indeed there was no “core north”. I was educated in Queen Elizabeth School Ilorin, the premier school for northern girls at that time. There, young girls from every part of the region were nurtured within an empowering northern heritage. We believed, even though we were girls from conservative cultures, that we could aspire, lead and change Nigeria. At that time, every where we stood and wherever we came from, was core north. From Mopa to Gwandu, from Otukpo and Gboko to Michika, Ilorin to Kano and Nguru, we all were core northerners. Nor did religion, Christian and Muslim divide us. Rather Faith generated exemplary humility, tolerance and God- fearing leadership character in northerners. As the north aspires to present national leadership, we must rejuvenate the northern spirit and give Nigerians the God-driven, people- centered leadership which was modeled by our founding fathers.
Finally, as I envision a better future for Nigeria, my nephew argues that I am leaving in the past. He insists that Nigeria will not change and that the north of my dreams cannot emerge from the ashes of the old north. He may be right. Nonetheless, I passionately belief that the blurred outline of a united north will survive recent events that shock its foundations. Indeed, I urge us, as leaders, to unite our people. Peace must reign. Then and only then can we design a better future within the timeless vision of our heroes mindful of recent social tensions and present political travails as a people.
Let me leave you with the response to my nephew’s cynical question, “are we northerners?” Young man, remember that when the chips are down, and the chips are coming down slowly, we all are indeed northerners.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your attention.
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