Like it or not, Northern Nigeria has become a potentially dangerous place to live in. From the activities of the marauding Boko boys to gun-wielding herdsmen and incidences of an army of belligerent youth ready with the knife for a slaughter, the region is no stranger to spilling of blood.
Recently, the North has been in the news for unwholesome activities by few elements. Barely few days after a mob attacked and killed an elderly woman, one Mrs. Bridget Agbaheme for alleged blasphemy in Kano, a 41- year old carpenter, identified as Francis Emmanuel, was on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 stabbed by unknown youths for eating during the fast of Ramadan along Sokoto Road, Kakuri in Kaduna State.
This is not the first time people have either being attacked or maimed for alleged cases of blasphemy in the North. It will be recalled that it was in the city of Kano that Gideon Akaluka was killed for an alleged offence of desecrating the Holy Qur'an in 1995.
The city of Gombe was in the news in 2007 when one Christianah Oluwasesin was lynched by secondary school students who accused her of desecrating the Holy Qur'an while invigilating examinations.
In the chronicle of woes is the Borno State Capital, Maiduguri where a lady identified as Grace Ushang was raped and murdered in 2009 for wearing NYSC Khaki trousers. A city that would later become the operational headquarters of Boko Haram.
As far as my memory can go, in all these cases, neither did the Sultanate nor Northern Elders Forum condemn these dastardly acts. How about religious leaders in the region? Well, the answer is still the same.
Perhaps the sensitive nature of religion which is often hijacked by some political, traditional and religious leaders has played a role in the silence of northern chieftains in the wake of religious outbursts and attack on innocent Nigerians residing in the region.
I understand that if a Christian cleric or elder speaks, he is fingered as opposing a religion, if a Muslim clergy man or elder also condemns these acts, some persons in the region may accuse him of playing to the gallery. Whatever may be informing this silence in the face of killing innocent people labelled with blasphemy, silence is either compromise or approving of such horrific actions.
In the recent past, the Nobel prize-winner Wole Soyinka appears to be a lone voice raising alarm over these executions. In a recent interview, the Literary Icon said: "This for me is a kind of fundamentalist tyranny that should be totally unacceptable." The Noble Laureate added: "All religions accept that there is something called criminality. And criminality cannot be excused by religious fervour."
Where are the likes of Yakubu Gowon, Jerry Gana, Abdullahi Ango, Tanko Yakasai, Maitama Sule, Abdullsami Abubakar, Atiku Abubakar, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II? Why are Northern elite quick to defend the region when it comes to the national-cake sharing formula but slow to condemn acts like the gruesome murder of Mrs. Agbaheme or assault meted on Emmanuel?
These condemnable acts should propel us to critically examine this kind of behaviour since it involves life, religion, culture, morality, upbringing, education and ethnicity. You have to be alive to talk about religion, ethnicity, religion or other aspects of human endeavour. It is up to stakeholders to remind their subordinates about the need for peaceful co-existence and living in an egalitarian society.
It must be said that no one should hide under religion or culture to demean the religious values of another religion. The secrets of living in an egalitarian society include, respect for self and others, respect for the religion and sensibilities of others and the ability to exercise restrain even in the face of provocation – using the knife or gun as a principle for religious heroism is both archaic and barbaric.
Germane to this discussion are issues of poverty, illiteracy, youth radicalisation, hate-speeches and fanatical-itinerant preaching which have led to overall developmental deficits in the region. These are areas where all who hold the North dear to their hearts must critical evaluate and find a lasting solution so that the area can catch up with other regions of the country.
The ugly trend where some Nigerians see themselves as more Nigerian than others is sad. The funny idea that I come from a certain section of the country and so others are not welcome to my domain is unwise. It is this kind of mentality that makes some Nigerians unable to coexist with others.
This kind of attitude, no doubt must have contributed to the formation and modus operandi of the Boko Haram sect which sort to create an Islamic Caliphate. In their estimation, Sharia Law will be the modus vivendi and only Muslims who are loyal to them under the Caliph would be termed law abiding citizens. Such a society can only exist in a theocratic state. Perhaps we need to be reminded that ours is a secular and egalitarian state – All leaders and stakeholders ought to live by this.
This is why the action of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna who did not waste time in visiting Emmanuel, the victim of assault by a group of youths for eating during the Ramadan fast, at St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, is commendable.
It was also in the news that the Kaduna State helmsman also ordered a full investigation into the matter while mandating security agents to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice.
Meanwhile, when Bridget Agbaheme was reportedly beheaded in Kano State by suspected fanatics for alleged blasphemy against Islam, no words were heard from the Royal House of Kano. The attitude of Governor El-Rufai reminds us about the kind of ideal leaders Nigeria needs in this trying time - a leader who is detribalised, magnanimous, mature and a father to all.
It is understandable that being a Governor is different from being an Emir - what is clear is that both leaders wield power and authority and their action or inaction speaks volume. Again, is it likely that Emir Sanusi II would speak when it matters? Well, perhaps the highly endowed, British-accented Emir is rehearsing his speech. Until then, the Emir has something to learn from the Governor!
Fr. Justine Dyikuk is a blogger and a freelancer. He is also the Editor of Bauchi Caritas Catholic Newspaper and the Communication’s Director of Bauchi Diocese. He can be reached through – justinejohndyikuk@gmail.com
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