Statements made by Chief Goddy Uwazurike have sparked debate and cast doubt on long-held beliefs on the role of political leaders in Northern Nigeria. A former head of an Igbo socio-cultural organization, he served as a delegate to the 2014 National Conference.
Some may have their perceptions of the area's political dynamics modified after hearing Uwazurike's recent interview with The Sun News. A lot of different kinds of people live in the North, and I'm about to tell you something that will shock you, Uwazurike said. Contrary to what many may think, not all southerners identify as Hausa or Fulani.
This comment highlights the immense variety in Northern Nigeria, in contrast to the simplistic view held by many in the southern part of the nation. After then, Uwazurike made a shocking claim about the North's political clout. "The Hausas are mainly farmers and traders, but they are not the political leaders in the North; the political leaders are the Fulani," he stated.
According to this point of view, the Fulani and Hausa communities do not have equal political influence in the region. Both the language and culture of the Hausa people were emphasized by the departing delegate in his speech.
Hausa is a language; yes, there is a Hausa tribe, but it is a language," he continued, suggesting that the Hausa identity is more complex than often believed. According to Uwazurike, there is a more dispersed power structure than is commonly thought because of the significant Fulani population in the northern regions.
The Fulani... are spread in all the Northern states," he claimed. Attempts to investigate alternatives to traditional political leadership systems were intriguingly linked by Uwazurike to a scheme encompassing eighteen states. He did mention that the notion for 18 states came from a desire to go beyond political leadership, albeit the interview did not delve into detail.
As his speech came to a close, the former lawmaker encouraged the audience to maintain their efforts for change. "So, Ikenga and Nwoko are free; let the agitations continue until the civilians do the right thing," Uwazurike concluded, weaving in suggestions regarding ongoing conversations or activities pertaining to political reform in Nigeria.