Since pre-independence time when Nigeria was enmeshed in the colonial dictatorship of the British, the Northern socio-political elites have demonstrated their resolve to acquire authority and maintain a hegemonic class over their subject. This is not farfetched the reason why historians and political scientist have labeled the Indirect rule policy of governance of Lord Fredrick Lugard as being overtly successful in Northern Nigeria when comparatively put side by side with the Western and Eastern part of what later become Nigeria.
The Northern traditional leaders in their desires to maintain their traditional stool were seen to have a good alliance and rapport with the colonial elements that invaded the region. Heavy taxes were levied on their subject of which they give tribute and royalties to Lord Fredrick Lugard and his colonial authority. This was to the detriment of the poor subject who were mostly peasant farmers, livestock herders and small scale merchants. In contrast to the other part of the country were we see revolt in the East against the oppression of the colonialist and even Obas being deposed because they stood in defense of their stool and people; most of our Emirs become puppet in the hands of colonial masters while exercising control over their people upon whom a long tradition of domination have been weighted in the guise of Sarauta.
The Northern socio-cultural hegemons maintained their control and loyalty of the people even while ruling in the interest of the British by adopting hegemony, exercising subtle influence by using religion and tradition to ensure that the people are perpetually loyal to them.
The foregoing narration become important for us to understand the dilemma of the Northern masses in the face of the unending insecurity in the region and how our present crop of elites have demonstrated their firm grip of the people. Hence, little or no impact is felt to ameliorate the region from the menace of poverty which is a precursor to the insecurity being experienced left, right and center.
Soon after independence in 1960, the leaders of the North in the personalities of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, the Governor of the region and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Prime Minister tried frantically to improve the state of the region to be at par with the rapidly developing Southern Nigeria. Those were leaders that have put their wealth of wisdom, political power and influence and religion to improve the living standard of their people without being self-centered in their developmental drives devoid of sentiment. Their death on Jan 15, 1966 led to the birth of a new crop of socio-political hegemons who came in the guise of Military leaders, political, traditional and religious crusaders in and for the North.
Bringing the discussion to the present security challenges in the North; before the wide spread of Boko Haram insurgency, the Northern politicians divided themselves into different political camps of which their ideologies and mandate are not in any way different from one another. They have one common goal; a selfish goal to acquire political power and exercise ruler-ship over the people. They engage in bickering among themselves to divide the people, they share the common wealth of the people among themselves and give a peanut share to their loyalist and praise singers without any infrastructure to show for their representation.
Our Northern elites who brandish the name of being scrupulous betrayed the people; exercising political, economic, traditional and religious power. They refer to themselves as the hegemonic class. The people have little or no say in their own affairs; they are advised to respect, obey, trust and be loyal to these elites.
The recurring attacks of Boko Haram, coupled with the unending banditry, farmers/herders clashes, the nascent cases of kidnapping and other crisis in ethno-religious colorations in the region are manifestation of the antics of our socio-political elites who give little or no priority to the welfare and security of the people. The security challenges have no effect on the politicians; they move in security escort and their family live in neighborhood that is under 24 hours security surveillance. It is obvious why they are doing nothing or taking practical steps towards ending the insecurity in the land.
For us to live in peace and harmony in the North there is the need to go back to the drawing board and follow meticulously the ideals and ideologies of our founding fathers. Let us imbibe the leadership pattern of Sir Ahmadu Bello. We cannot be boasting of having the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Director of DSS and the National Security Adviser all from the North but the Northerners are devastated due to the unending insecurity they have to grapple with.
Our elites should stop betraying us; let them give us our rightful wealth in social amenities and infrastructure; education at the basic up to the tertiary level should be given priority, our human capital should be developed and consorted effort should be put in place towards wiping out poverty in the region.
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