Reminiscences With Alhaji Muhammad Dauda Dangalan
>>> Pages 9, 10 & 11
Muhammadu Dauda Dangalan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), started his political career when he was 21 years old. The 83 year old, he recounted his role in the formation of the Northern Elements Progressives Union (NEPU), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and his relationship with Malam Aminu Kano. He also spoke on the dangers of money politics to the development of the nation, the need for political parties to adhere strictly to their manifestos, and other important national issues.
From Yusha’u A. Ibrahim, Ibrahim Musa Giginyu & Richard P. Ngbokai, Kano
You were a founding member of the Northern Elements Progressives Union (NEPU); how did you start your political career?
I started my political career at a youthful age. I was born in Fagge, Kano State, where I also had my Qu’ranic and western education. We started by forming a social group called Taron Masu Zumunta (TMZ), with Malam Abba Mai Kwaru as founder and leader. The objective of the group was to assist its members at times of bereavement or stand by them during marriage ceremonies. Malam Jibril, Professor Sani’s father, was the treasurer while I served as financial secretary. Musa Kaura was the secretary of the group.
We later started thinking of floating a political party, and both Malam Aminu Kano and Abba Mai Kwaru supported the idea. That was how the Northern Elements Progressives Union (NEPU) was floated, with the manifesto: dignity to humanity. The manifesto was informed by divine injunction for social justice and dignity to humanity. It geared towards answering the questions - Why are human beings being maltreated? Why injustice, forced labour and slavery? It became popular. We took it upon ourselves to create awareness about the manifesto within 10 years before seeking for elective positions. According to the constitution of the party at that time, once a leader was chosen, he would gather party officials and other people he wanted to work with for approval. Anybody the party officials objected to was removed and an alternative sought for. The major idea behind the NEPU was to enlighten Nigerians, especially northerners, that God created this nation for them; as such, they must be given their rights as citizens, not as slaves. The success we recorded made people to accept the party. But when it became more popular with massive followers, there was persecution of its members to get them to renounce the idea. I was elected the first leader of the party in Fagge. Other founding members were Abbah Mai Kwaru, Joseph Idowu, Magaji Danbatta, Adamu Danjaji, who was our treasurer. We had our first sitting in the residence of Abba Mai Kwaru in Fagge. How old were you when you
joined politics?
I joined politics at the age of 21.
What were the major challenges in the struggle?
Our major concern was that we were labelled as irresponsible set of people because of our principles and firm belief in the party, even when we had gotten much popularity. This affected us greatly. They said we were against the authorities. But it was not a hidden fact that traditional institutions and the colonialists were allies at some point in the subjugation of our people and pillage of our resources. Towards the end, they established the Native Authority and gave traditional leaders power to oppress us. That was the problem of the country at that time. Why would they not respect humanity? That was why they thought we formed the political party to checkmate their excesses. But in all honesty, we formed the party, first, to fight for human dignity, and secondly, to enlighten Nigerians to assert their rights as citizens, and to push for liberation from oppressive tendencies. We wanted Nigerians to agitate for freedom to vote the leaders they wanted.
It was reported that members of the party were jailed and forced to relocate. Were you also forced to relocate?
I was jailed for about six months. At that time, you were jailed in the Kurmawa Central Prison, on the first instance, on further infraction you would be taken to the Goron Dutse Prison for harsher terms. That was why Goron Dutse was created. I was first jailed in Kurmawa and later taken to Goron Dutse, where the only beddings available were mats. And the cells were bug-infested.
What were your offences?
I was accused of inciting people against traditional leaders.
How would you describe life in prison?
I said that Goron Dutse was a place for punishment. As you know, prison life has never been comfortable.
Did you have a family during your imprisonment?
Yes, I had a family.
How did members of your family live without you?
I have already sacrificed my life for the party and the masses. God knew my mind - I was not thinking of the family but how to ensure that justice prevailed for the masses. I gave myself for that struggle and was not bothered.
You said members of your party spent 10 years sensitising before seeking elective positions. Did you achieve your aim?
Yes, we achieved our goal. I was elected as the leader of the party in Fagge for two years. When it came to the provincial congress at Gwarzo, I was selected as organising secretary, Kano Province, which comprised of Kano and Jigawa. I served in this position for so long. Then at Karaye, I was elected as the provincial secretary for Kano Province, which comprised of Hadejia, Gumel and Kazaure and Kano Emirate. I served in that capacity for more than 10 years.
Who were your colleagues in the struggle?
I still remember few of them like Malam Iliya, Adamu Danjaji, Abbah Cashier, Bello Idowu, Malam Abba Kwaru and Malam Shehu Shettima, Sani Darma and many others.
How would you describe your relationship with the late Malam Aminu Kano?
Ithank God for Malam Aminu Kano because he nurtured me on the right path. I am happy. Secondly, he blessed me. Four days before his death, he came to our office, close to his house. I was upstairs when he came and asked for Sani Gule, Tadada and others, when we came downstairs and met him, he said, “I thank you because I know you are facing persecutions in your position as the party’s secretary, but you should endure more because I am thinking that after me you are the only person who can work to ensure that the manifesto of this party is achieved.’’ The only living witnesses to this encounter are Malam Bello and Senator Garba Taura. He came on Thursday, and on Saturday, he had a meeting with his cabinet. As I was coming to Fagge on
would stop by and see him in his house, but I couldn’t. Unfortunately, on Sunday, it was announced that he had died.
What lessons did you learn from Aminu Kano?
What I learned from him was adherence to the principles of our party - to ensure that an individual did not wield absolute control of the party. He always admonished that we must adhere to the provisions of the party’s constitution. I gained a lot from that in my entire political career.
How did the transition from NEPU to Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) take place?
When the ban on political parties was lifted, we decided to come together and form the PRP. I was one of the founding leaders of the party. I was a member of the committee assigned the responsibility to design the emblem, flag, motto of the party and all that. The meeting was convened at Malam Aminu Kano’s residence. But the committee that was given the task to come up with the slogan, logo and flag met at the GRA. I have forgotten the name of the person in whose house we had the meeting. Myself, Lili Gabari, and one representative from Gumel, Ibrahim Wada, who became the deputy to our leader, Musa Iliyasu, who had been deputy to a governorship aspirant, the late Sabo Bakin Zuwo, were members. We had the convention in Kazaure, where Salihi Iliyasu and Ibrahim Tsoho were selected as governorship and deputy governorship candidates, respectively. However, the National Electoral Commission later disqualified them. That was how Abubakar Rimi got the ticket to contest in the 1979 election on the platform of the party.
What brought the dispute between Malam Aminu Kano and Abubakar Rimi?
Malam Aminu had some principles. He asked Governor Rimi and Balarabe Musa of Kaduna State to concentrate on service to the people rather than lifestyle of extravagance. Because of this advice, though I was not there, they got offended. He said it was not yet time for enjoyment. As a result of that, they got some of their followers who were after the sumptuous lifestyle at the detriment of the masses on their side. We got worried. That was the beginning of the Santsi and Tabo syndrome in Kano politics. They called us Yan Tabo and we called them Yan Santsi.
We formed the government in Kano and Kaduna states, respectively and politics continued.
Who were your colleagues in the PRP?
They were Musan Musawa, Shehu Shatatima, Sani Darma, Adamu Danjaji and Malam Aminu Kano.
What was the nature of politics after the 1983 coup?
Life was very challenging, which made people to forget the principles upon which the PRP was formed. People became greedy and self-centred in their political activities. For example, we had executive members from wards to the national level. These were the people responsible for taking policy decisions of the party, but they brought the governor to be the leader of the party, which was not even in the constitution of the party. These were the factors that destroyed our politics, not only in Kano but in the whole country.
During your time, there were few political parties. What is your take on multiple political parties?
Well, in anything that has to do with political parties, people’s interest must be at the forefront. Policies of political parties should be decided by executive members; but today, we have abandoned this arrangement. This explains the travails we are having in our political system, from national to the grassroots level.
What is your view on politics of godfatherism?
That is what happens when one person takes absolute control of a party. He decides what he wants and appoints whoever he wants as leader of the party. When all mechanisms of a party are in one person’s hand, there is a big problem. That’s why we are having problems all over the country.
What is the way out?
The only way out is to respect the constitutions of various parties. Party supremacy is the only way out. The constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been reviewed three times. The last one was done on December 9, 2017 after a delay of two years due to a series of leadership crises.
Recall that after the Abeokuta meeting, a rift ensued, and based on the advice of Professor Jerry Gana and Senator Ibrahim Mantu, a 30-man committee was constituted. However, this committee couldn’t conduct the convention, but the leadership of Ali Modu Sheriff was brought on board by governors. Moreover, during the Port-Harcourt meeting, Sheriff indicated interest to contest for the party leadership, but we stood our ground that the party’s constitution forbade any caretaker leader from contesting. That was how another crisis erupted in the party and Sheriff went to court. That was how we, the national delegates, dissolved all positions and came up with a 5-member committee in which two people were elected to be leaders. That was how Makarfi became the chairman of the party, and that was what gave us the victory at the Supreme Court before the last national convention of the party. It may interest you to note that our strict adherence to the fact that the provisions of the party’s constitution must be followed was what gave us the chance to put an end to the two-year crisis that pushed the party to relegation.
What else do you do, apart from politics?
I was a tailor before I ventured into politics that took virtually all my time. I was among the first people that were sent to Gusau to look for supporters and I was later sent to Kauran Namoda. I have gone to a lot of places across the northern region, canvassing for support for our party. I could remember that when I went to Gusau I
stopped at Dabba a village in Gusau, where I met a strong and viable individual who accepted me and promised to spread the call of our party.
How many political parties have you participated in so far?
Apart from the NEPU and PRP, it is the PDP and no more. However, I wasn’t part of the people that formed the PDP, but I am a member of the party.
How would you compare politicians during your days in the NEPU and the PRP and those we have nowadays?
I feel sad when I look at the way the present politicians engage in money politics. Unfortunately, our young politicians believe in money and political positions rather than the nation and patriotism. When I think on the fact that these are our future leaders, I get worried. What kind of future are we building for ourselves? To me, these youths were being deceived to believe that money politics is legitimate and the best way to get things done. I feel pain, and this pain will be in me till the end of my life. It is sad to see that the love of the nation and true patriotism are very hard to achieve these days. And the parties are not helping matters at all. Rules and regulations in the various parties’ constitutions are only written words, they don’t move or talk.
It is the humans that interpret the provisions into actions for effectiveness. The fact here is that we need a change in our attitudes because no matter how good our rules and regulations are, we need the right attitude to make those rules active and workable. These young politicians should understand that they are the leaders of tomorrow, and that they have a huge responsibility to make the future bright for themselves. They should also understand that position or the money they will get is just a momentary gratification as against a lifetime of suffering.
What are you doing for a living now?
Let me take you back to the time when Yakubu Gowon took over and sacked all politicians. I was left with nothing to do. That was when a friend of mine came to me and said, “It is not good to live like this since there is no specific date for this military to leave office. Why not venture into business?” Right there, I told him that I had no capital and he offered to give me ceramic plates to sell on credit. I accepted and displayed them in a shop in my house. However, during that period, I met Danjuma Kankia, who was a member of Kuka Primary School’s Parents-Teachers Association. I can vividly recall that we became friends when I audited my nephew, who happened to be the headmaster of the school. I found him wanting and submitted my report, which indicted him. I did that without any remorse. I never knew that that single gesture had endeared me to Kankia, who later became the manager of one of the foreign distribution companies in Nigeria. After several years, we met and he asked me to see him in his office, which I did. He gave me allocation of one of the best sugar in town at that time, which I sold without much ado.
My involvement with the distribution company was what gave me the chance to acquire a house at Yankaba and get other things. But being a politician, even with plea from my friends like Bello Abiya, I still went back to politics after the ban on political activities was lifted. I have a stall in Sabon Gari market, which I still maintain up till this moment. This is how I am sustaining myself. I don’t go to people’s houses to seek for any assistance because it is against the policies we were brought up on.
What about your family?
I am lucky that all my children are gainfully engaged in one thing or another. I have 12 children and four wives. My children are really assisting me greatly, and I am proud of them wherever I go.
What advice do you have politicians?
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It is very crucial for them to understand that political parties are not formed for the sake of individual or group interest. They should understand that parties are formed for the good of the general public. The major role of a political party is to emancipate the general public and inculcate patriotism in the people’s minds. Federalism is all about the will of the majority, and the will of the public shall always prevail. They should also realise that politics is not a one-man affair, and that all political activities should be in accordance with the provisions of each party’s constitution.