The North and its divided house
It is biblically established fact that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Albeit the truism; we are morally obliged to express a sentiment of pity, at least, if not for the house but for its inhabitants who are forced by the extraordinary circumstance to be displaced. This we must observe for the North as the 2019 election draws the curtain.
Noises are everywhere in the north concerning the next president and there are much submissions that the north deserves a second term. Of course, the question here is not whether or not the north has qualified person to rule. In fact, the incumbent president from the region has not complained being too old to rule. It is evident that many people are urging him to recontest; an offer he has not yet declined.
While this is the case, there is no conviction that a leader from another part of the country could not emerge. Indeed the so called “northern must rule again” could be a source of blessing for the emergence of unthinkable personality from another part of the country.
From the body languages displaying, the following person are showing interests from the north; Abubakar Atiku, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sule Lamido, among host of others which includes the incumbent Muhammadu Buhari. This development although democratically anticipated can be a curse for the north as the region is already fragile.
The formidable character to be feared is Kwankwaso although his political platform is not yet unknown for the race. His personality not just from the point of view of his acceptance by teeming youths from great population, his influence with Obasanjo can go a great way in helping him. One’s closest connection with grassroots political development would reveal this important truth.
As with the political-billionaire Abubakar Atiku, he is to battle for the primaries of PDP as the party assured him of no automatic ticket. In fact, except for the intervention of God, Olusegun Obasanjo is said to have locked the door of Atiku to presidential villa as the president while is he his alive and if he is died, the key may be lost forever.
President Muhammadu Buhari may be unlucky this time again if the north is divided against him just as the 2011 political strategy used against him by Obasonjo through the division of the North for Nuhu Ribadu, Ibrahim Shekarau and himself. Such strategy worked so well for the emergence of Jonathan whom had the support of the Southwest, South-South and Southeast and some parts of the north.
The development for the 2019 election is forming with great intrigues on how those whose eyes are centred on the North may be appreciated. The interest received from the north is high and should be addressed properly before it is too late. Task like this is for the Northern elite which always acts as the anchor of the northern establishment. This is crucial because the north as it is now is a house divided against itself; if no measure is taken, then one may be convinced that the like of Ayodele Fayose could emerge the Nigerian president on any political platform. This certainly is not a joke!
Abdullahi Suleiman Otiwe, Lokoja, Kogi State.