Chief Goddy Uwazurike, a former head of an Igbo socio-cultural organization and delegate to the 2014 National Conference, has made shocking statements that have cast doubt on long-held beliefs about the role of political leaders in Northern Nigeria. In a recent interview with The Sun News, Uwazurike revealed that contrary to popular belief, not all southerners in the North identify as Hausa or Fulani, highlighting the immense diversity in the region.
"The Hausas are mainly farmers and traders, but they are not the political leaders in the North; the political leaders are the Fulani," Uwazurike stated, suggesting that the Fulani community holds more political influence than the Hausa community.
According to The Sun report, Uwazurike emphasized the complexity of the Hausa identity, stating, "Hausa is a language; yes, there is a Hausa tribe, but it is a language." He also noted that the Fulani population is spread across all Northern states, indicating a more dispersed power structure than commonly thought.
The former delegate intriguingly linked his comments to a scheme encompassing 18 states, hinting at alternative political leadership systems. He encouraged continued agitation for change, stating, "So, Ikenga and Nwoko are free; let the agitations continue until the civilians do the right thing."