EbonyHerald Stores Ebony Herald News24
Related Articles
Why Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) most courageous who can fix Nigeria
Take it or leave it. I am one Yoruba man who believes that the North has dominated the South since the Amalgamation Proclamation of Lord Lugard in 1914 and continues to do so to this day.
This dominance is evident despite the North’s apparent educational deficits compared to the South, which has historically had an edge.
However, this imbalance persisted with the tacit approval of our British colonial masters, who orchestrated the merger of the Northern and Southern Protectorates for their administrative convenience.
By merging a conglomeration of three irreconcilable tribes; the Hausa/Fulani, the Igbos, and the Yoruba into one country, alongside a few minorities such as the Ijaws, Urhobos, Efiks, Ibibios, and Kalabari, the British created a recipe for perpetual dominance by the North.
Northern domination was evident in the first six years of Nigeria’s independence from October 1, 1960, to January 15, 1966, and became even starker during 38 years of military rule.
This domination has continued during the years of civilian rule, from 1999 to the present, under the American-style presidential system that replaced the British parliamentary model.
Nnamdi Azikiwe became Nigeria’s first ceremonial Governor-General, while executive power remained firmly in the hands of Tafawa Balewa, the first Nigerian Prime Minister (1960–1966).
The 1966 coup led by Southern officers Chukwuma Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna was quickly aborted by Aguiyi Ironsi, who took over but lasted less than six months. A revenge coup led by Theophilus Danjuma and other Northern officers replaced him with Yakubu Gowon, a Christian officer from the Middle Belt (Benue/Plateau region).
After Gowon came Murtala Mohammed, who lasted only 200 days before his assassination. He was succeeded by Olusegun Obasanjo, the only Southerner the North could trust. Obasanjo, who spoke Hausa fluently, promised not to rock the boat if allowed to succeed Murtala. He was the Fulani-sponsored candidate and kept his promise, governing for 11 years—three as a military ruler and eight as a civilian president.
Following Obasanjo was Muhammadu Buhari, who ruled from 1983 to 1985 before being ousted by Ibrahim Babangida, who governed for nearly nine years. Babangida stepped aside for Ernest Shonekan, who served as interim president for less than six months before being overthrown by General Sani Abacha.
Abacha ruled for five years before being succeeded by Abdulsalami Abubakar, who served for one year and released Obasanjo from prison to govern as a civilian president for another eight years.
After Obasanjo, the presidency passed to Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan (2007–2015), before returning to Buhari, who ruled for eight more years (2015–2023). Buhari eventually handed over to Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, after numerous intrigues to derail Tinubu’s ambition and replace him with a Fulani candidate, Senate President Lawan, despite promises made to Tinubu.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a rugged fighter and Nigeria’s best political strategist, achieved what eluded Obafemi Awolowo, the greatest Oodua son and leader. Tinubu, the first truly authentic Southerner to be elected president under the APC platform he helped to form, emerged victorious against all odds.
The South would be unwise to allow the Fulani oligarchy to derail Tinubu’s administration. Tinubu has a highly focused mission to restructure Nigeria, make it more prosperous, and ensure stability.
He is currently working on a budget and tax reform plan that addresses the needs of Nigeria’s federating units more equitably. His proposed revenue-sharing formula, based on derivation, equality, and population, is the most rational and equitable yet.
Tinubu must not relent in creating the new Ijebu State from the Southwest and Anioma State from the old Delta State, thereby ensuring that the South catches up with the North’s 19 states. This move is a step in the right direction.
Tinubu still has a long way to go to stabilise Nigeria fully, but he is on the right track. Any attempt by the Fulani oligarchy to undermine his administration could accelerate Nigeria’s breakup, a prediction I stand by.
So far, Tinubu has managed to increase Nigeria’s GDP by 5% in less than two years.
His leadership exemplifies the proverbial “Ekun ta giri gbera re n’Ija Omo Adabanija, Eegun Mogaji Oko Oluremi” and makes him the “Osagyefo” of Nigeria.
I rest my case.
Prince Dr Wumi Akintide a public affairs analyst writes from Oyemekun Terrace New York City
