The Problematics of Northern Leadership in Nigeria
Two years into the current administration, the long overdue state of emergency in northern education has yet to be declared. Indeed, recent developments suggest the northern ruling elites have continued to take their hapless people for granted. The Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said the recent outbreak of meningitis in the north (now spread to about 16 states) was God's punishment for fornication. The Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi also called
Muhammadu Sanusi II, who had challenged the northern ruling class to rise to the need of education of their people, now faces a conspiracy by some northern governors for his dethronement.
The north that is a laggard, even in the context of Nigeria's under-development, is a further challenge to the development of the country. The country is still grappling with the threat of Boko Haram and its ravages. The Islamist terrorist group has continued to draw its guerrilla attackers and suicide bombers from the predominantly uneducated youth population of the north. Boko Haram itself roughly translates to “Western education is a sin.”
Nigeria cannot be a meritocracy because of the allowance for lower standards that must be made to accommodate the inadequacies of its northern constituent part, like the situation with admission into the Unity Schools. Although the “Federal Character” is not necessarily anti-merits, it has played out to be so. It is now a framework for bringing otherwise unqualified people into federal positions. In essence, the country cannot talk of unified federal standards.
Workable solutions to the acquisition of political power by the northern elites without salutary effects on the northern populace has to be found. One aspect to the solution is electing northern presidents from among the well-educated, progressive northern elites. This is not a classical ideological prescription. It is born out of the need identified by Emir Sanusi on removing the religious barriers to education in the north.
However, electing such presidents will not be the sole responsibility of the northern political elites and the northern electorate. Constitutional mandate that a president would be elected with majority votes and at least 25% of the votes in two thirds of the states of the country defines a role for the southern political elites and the southern electorate. It is a collective responsibility that must be recognised and not shirked for cheap political gains as contemplated in the southern power bases ahead of the 2015 election. This solution is as much for Nigeria as it is for the north.
Whereas the president exerts policy influence on the states of the federation, and whereas the federal budget has significant implications for development across the country, a president from any part of the geopolitical divides cannot alone bring about development in the north. The governors of the northern states have a huge role to play. But given the existing conditions in the north, it is in vain to hope that the change can come from within the states. Essential catalysts for change – including strong civil society organisations and independent media – are lacking in the north. This is why this article is a national advocacy, which must include forging the framework for holding the northern governors to public accountability.
The sound and fury of President Buhari's so-called war against corruption has led to the omission of many real issues to be addressed in fostering good governance in the country. It is high time the development of human infrastructure took the centre stage in the north. And the next presidents from the north must be true national leaders. Jide Akintunde is Managing Editor, Financial Nigeria. He is also Director, Nigeria Development and Finance Forum.