Chief Goddy Uwazurike, a former delegate to the 2014 National Conference and past President of an Igbo socio-cultural organization, has made controversial statements challenging common perceptions about political leadership in Northern Nigeria. In a recent interview with The Sun News, Uwazurike offered insights that could reshape understanding of the region's political dynamics.
"Let me shock you," Uwazurike began, "there are many minorities in the North. Down south, we see everybody as either Hausa or Fulani, but that is not true." This statement highlights the often-overlooked diversity within Northern Nigeria, countering the simplistic view held by many in the South.
Uwazurike went on to make a striking claim about political power in the North. "The Hausas are mainly farmers and traders, but they are not the political leaders in the North; the political leaders are the Fulani," he asserted. This perspective challenges the widespread assumption that Hausa and Fulani groups share political dominance in the region.
The former delegate emphasized the linguistic and cultural aspects of the Hausa identity. "Hausa is a language; yes, there is a Hausa tribe, but it is a language," he explained, suggesting that the Hausa identity is more complex than often portrayed.
Uwazurike also highlighted the widespread presence of Fulani people across the Northern states, implying a more dispersed power structure than commonly perceived. "The Fulani... are spread in all the Northern states," he noted.
Intriguingly, Uwazurike referenced a proposal for 18 states, linking it to efforts to look beyond traditional political leadership structures. "We were looking beyond political leadership, and that was how the proposed 18 states came about," he said, though details of this proposal were not elaborated upon in the interview.
The former delegate concluded his remarks with a call for continued agitation for change. "So, Ikenga and Nwoko are free; let the agitations continue until the civilians do the right thing," Uwazurike stated, suggesting ongoing discussions or movements related to political restructuring in Nigeria