Ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country leaders of all shades in the North-West region have been charged to set aside their political differences in favor of a united entity that the region has been known for throughout ages.
In the same token political stakeholders in the geopolitical zone have been challenged to reform its army of youths, some of who are stereotyped as ‘bandits’, whereas the criminal tendencies they are alleged of displaying is a national criminogenic found everywhere in the country and not in the North alone.
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These call and observation were made on Sunday by the Emir of Gwandu, Alh. Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar when Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal condoled him over the death of a traditional ruler and the mother of another title holder in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state.
The deceased are: late Alhaji Usman Adamu (Sarkin Borgun Ka’oje) and Hajiya Halimatu Aliyu, mother of Barrister Muhammadu Sambo Aliyu (Magajin Rafin Gwandu).
According to the Gwandu monarch, it also behoves all leaders as well as parents in the North-West region to shield and provide resourceful alternatives to its teeming youths who more often than not graduate from begging to petty crimes such as snatching.
“We do not take care of our children. We have forsaken them to the vagaries of itinerary begging whereas Islam does not encourage begging. Yet our children, aged between 5-10 are often off to fend for themselves. Once they become teenagers they turn to snatching. We should beware.
“Parents must not shirk their responsibilities of raising children well. God that gave you children knows whence flows their sustenance.
“If we note carefully, these co-called bandits, while everywhere in the country, are identified as being only in the North. We are only associated with bad things- kidnappers and what not. Are these crimes not committed elsewhere across the country? Why? Because we are not our brothers keepers.
The monarch, who was a former military administrator of Gongola state (now Adamawa and Taraba states), called on the people of the North, “particularly those who partake in politics as a vocation, that no matter what we should not forget our bloodline that stretches back to Mallam Abdullahi Gwandu and his senior brother, Usman Danfodio. That is our extraction, sanctuary and our source of greatness.
“So, we should be mindful that the North-West is the core North. We should not severe the bond of brotherhood between us. If we fail to observe this woe betide us. I, therefore call upon us to be true to our ancestral home.
“We should partake in all things good with the good counsel of Mallam Aminu Kano at the back of our minds- Nigeria is our country but our ancestral homes remain our abodes.
“Consequently, the North is our home. We should try to remain close-knit as can be. We should appreciate God’s gift. We should thank Him for bestowing dominion on our sons and pray that they finish in good grace.
“We should refrain from denigrating our sons. We should not pull down our leaders as they were anointed by God and not man. Respecting them assures of our collective greatness. Holding them in high esteem is the base of our communal dignity. So, for us all in the North, obeying those in positions of power and authority is our lot.
“I appeal to us all to hold and observe such obedience as a duty. We should be mindful of according respect to those in power. We are all witness to the proliferation of tribal bonds in some climes while we are dispersed here at home, whereas we are the repository of peaceful coexistence and inclusiveness founded on shared religious affinities. Islam has not divided us, why then should we put ourselves at disadvantaged position?
“As the forthcoming elections approach, we should embrace our leaders, identify our collective interests and stick to them,” he said.
Muhammad Bello
Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor
Oct. 18, 2021
Sokoto
