… he does not have the capacity or authority to speak for the North
These are very critical times in Nigeria’s political development. And not just Nigeria’s, but also West Africa. We should all learn from history so we do not repeat it. Former President Jonathan, a man who loved Nigeria and one of our greatest leaders, lost critical support amongst Northerners, especially in the Northwest, which has over 22 million registered voters, after some Southern activists and irredentists from a particular zone began to defend him and make bombastic statements about Northerners, without his knowledge and approval.
Sheikh Gumi
Sheikh Gumi is a loose cannon. He does not have the capacity or authority to speak for the North. If he moves, the North will not follow. If he endorses a candidate, the North will not vote for that candidate because of his endorsement. Even in Kaduna, where he is resident, he does not have the capacity to swing a Local Government election. He has his crowd. But it is not a critical mass by any stretch of the imagination. Let us not make him out to be the North’s megaphone.
It may be wise, therefore, for influential Southern voices to be more circumspect about their comments in response to him or any Northern Nigerian. This is not to say their stances given so far are wrong. What I am saying is that this is Nigeria. A very complex country. And there is a difference between making such statements when a Northerner is President and when a Southerner sits in Aso Rock. The Consequences will not be the same.
As ever, I hold Southern Nigerian leaders in the highest regard. This is just a tender and fraternal appeal for all of us to understand that times have changed, and we may have to adjust our approach to national issues accordingly so we don’t rock the boat in the fashion of Niger Republic.
#TableShaker
