The National Patron of Zuru Emirate Development Association and Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Reverend Emmanuel Kana Mani, during the week, hosted newsmen in his court where he spoke on the nomination of General Bitrus Ushe from Kebbi State as Defence Minister. James Bwala brings excerpts:


CAN you explain what Zuru Emirate Development Association is all about?

The association is a political arm of the Zuru Emirate under the chairmanship of General Sani Sami. The Zurus are one of the minorities in the Nigerian states. Some people say we belong to the Middle Belt but the journalists perhaps know this better. As a people, we are like the Zulus in South Africa; we are warriors and have not been defeated by any invader because almost everybody in Zuru Emirate is a soldier. This is because during the West African Frontier Force, when people from the North were being taken, concentration was mainly on our area given the kind of bravery we exuded. We excelled both in the military and in the field of education, even as minority.

The issue now is that there has been, in a general term, what is known as marginalisation and in our case, a terrible marginalisation. Since the return of democracy in 1999, we have observed that political appointments are concentrated in one side or particular the area where people think they are born to rule, thus leaving out the sons and daughters of Zuru Emirate. Even in national appointments, they tried to block sons and daughters of Zuru Emirate.

Was there any protest to that effect?
The Secretary to the State Government(SSG)kicked against it, being a son of Zuru emirate and he demanded for a reason as to why the sharing formula was not equal. They gave flimsy excuses categorising the emirate into hierarchy even where the Emirs are all first class. General Sami is a well known figure who served this nation as a military governor. So the SSG had to force them to adjust to an equal sharing, otherwise we would have been left out. Now with the sack of the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Bello Haliru, we just feel that the nomination of a Zuru son, General Ushe is apt and appropriate.

It looks as if the nomination of General Ushe is not widely accepted. Why?
I wonder which is most appropriate in the appointment of a person as Minister of Defence; a soldier who understands the military terms or a civilian who knows very little about military as an organised formation. I see the opposition as an attempt to undermine the Zuru Emirate and I wish to state that we have been marginalised politically for too long. In this wise, we stand with one voice to support our brother and a son of Zuru Emirate in his nomination as the Defense Minister and would do everything possible to support him in ensuring that he succeeds as a minister.

Are you saying the nomination of General Ushe as Defence Minister is acceptable to majority of people in Zuru Emirate?
The people of Zuru Emirate, which comprises four local government areas of Kebbi State, are in full support of the nomination of Brigadier-General Bitrus Boka Ushe as Minister of Defence because his nomination will bring an end to the 13 years of marginalisation suffered by the emirate since the return of democratic rule in 1999. Therefore, his nomination is a welcome development. It will make the citizens of the Zuru Emirate to begin to have the feeling of a sense of belonging. Our people frowned at the statement credited to the Kebbi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the rejection of Ushe as a ministerial nominee.

The motive of the opponent is to misinform the public and influence the nomination of Mr Ushe. Those making unjustifiable noise over the nomination of Ushe are enemies of the progress of our emirate who always hide under the guise of sentiment to jeopardise the prevailing peace among various ethno-religious groups of the state. Their motive is to ensure that top public appointments are concentrated only in a particular section of the North. The entire sons and daughters of Zuru Emirate are very glad for this gesture from President Goodluck Jonathan which will serve as the beginning of bye-bye to the marginalisation of our area in terms of public appointments. We really commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his foresight and fair play for considering one of us as fit for ministerial post, which has once again demonstrated his respect for equity to all.




http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/gamji-interview/46282-jonathan-right-on-ushes-nomination-as-defence-minister-rev-mani