THAT WAS NIGERIA — A PARABLE

By Jaafar Jaafar

Sometime back, I heard the story of Mallam Umaru Altine, a Hausa man who became the first Mayor of Enugu Municipal Council in 1956.

The story of Malam Umaru itself tells stories — the story of the country we had, the story peace, the story courage, name it.

Fascinated by Mallam Umaru's story, my good friend, Mohammed Shehu, sent me some details he got about him earlier today.

Mallam Umaru, who hailed from the old Sokoto province, was elected Mayor of Enugu two times! He was at one time Secretary-General of the Zikist Movement and was identified with the NCNC, a Twitter handle, @historicalnigeria, posted.

According to the handle, during election, NCNC decided to nominate Mallam Umaru at the Coal Camp, where he lived. He accepted the nomination, contested and won the election.

After completing his first term in office, NCNC asked him to step down for another candidate (perhaps a native), which he refused. When the party insisted on nominating another person, Mallam Umaru resigned from NCNC, ran as an independent candidate and beat the NCNC candidate.

But similar scenario also happened in Kano in the late 80s when a non-native was elected to represent Sabongari in the old Kano Municipal Council. Sikuru was a popular politician, and his election was greeted with wild celebrations.

I recall, with deep sense of pan-Nigerianism, the popular song we sang in praise of Sikiru around 1987/1988. "Sikiru ya ci zabe, shi ma dan Kano ne... (Sikiru won election, he is also an indigene of Kano..)," we had sung.

Even today, there are at least two "non-native" councillors in Fagge Local Government Council of Kano State. One is Igbo, another is Yoruba. Yes, Kano keeps the spirit alive! Even if the permutation was let be for peace to reign, it is a commendable political magnanimity.

I remember how a deadly riot once broke out in Jos when former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, rigged out a "settler" in Wase Local Government.

But while Sikiru triumphed and conquered the "natives" in Kano, Alhaji Usman Mutari — an indigene of Kano from Janguza village — contested with native Lagosians and became the chairman of Isolo Local Government of Lagos State in 1987/1988 on independent ticket.

That was Nigeria.

That was Nigeria

Until ?

Happy Eid-el Kabir.

Awolowo introduced tribalism and ethnicism into Nigeria politics - David Mark (fmr Senate President)

BuddahMonk:
Awolowo introduced tribalism and ethnicism into Nigeria politics - David Mark (fmr Senate President)

after I read "there was a country" I had new found hate for that man. Akintola first said "igbos control everything" wch first separated us as nigerians.

All the hopes of this thread making FP has just been dashed by the comments on it. And such things can't happen again in the east,let's just face reality.

Good old days!

Ok

First Mayor or First Mai Suya.

Chanchit:
All the hopes of this thread making FP has just been dashed by the comments on it. And such things can't happen again in the east,let's just face reality.

what in the comments showed otherwise. Besides I wasn't gunning FP with this..so, no harm no foul

Lying liars

That's then and not Now....

liberty300:
after I read "there was a country" I had new found hate for that man. Akintola first said "igbos control everything" wch first separated us as nigerians.

...and that hate continues to define you and your people. How about we put that hate aside and work together to build a progressive nation...you know, one we can all be proud of?

Long live this man! You see,you can't make any headway in bringing down the light. Since Nigeria has been subduing the Igbos what have we achieved? If you watch i didn't say look,watch you will see that Igbos are different in nature and appearance when you see an igbo person you Cannot mists him/her to be Hausa or Yoruba but this is not same with other tribes.God gave them natural wisdom for leadership and expansion. Today an adage is universal "any where you go and don't find igbos run for your dear life cos that place it's not habitable " the most travelled In the whole universe are igbos, entrepreneurial minded and enthusiastic set of people though we have our flaws

jenniferurenna:
Long live this man! You see,you can't make any headway in bringing down the light. Since Nigeria has been subduing the Igbos what have we achieved? If you watch i didn't say look,watch you will see that Igbos are different in nature and appearance when you see an igbo person you Cannot mists him/her to be Hausa or Yoruba but this is not same with other tribes.God gave them natural wisdom for leadership and expansion. Today an adage is universal "any where you go and don't find igbos run for your dear life cos that place it's not habitable " the most travelled In the whole universe are igbos, entrepreneurial minded and enthusiastic set of people though we have our flaws

yea your flaws which is this chest beating and arrogance.

I have no issues with igbos, but the notion that everyone in the world is against you is wrong.

If you do something, be grateful to God cos their is nothing that u think has happened in your niche that others havent done b4.

Wait ooo. He ran twice and won twice in the capital city of the eastern region? No cross-carpeting?

No wonder easterners were called the most progressive region in Nigeria then with the fastest growing economy.

Eyo ita from akwa ibom was the leader in the east before zik came back n he was asked to step aside ....that's how Igbo's are

...and that hate continues to define you and your people. How about we put that hate aside and work together to build a progressive nation...you know, one we can all be proud of?

When your people can obey simple zoning agreement ....there can't be peace without equity and justice

after I read "there was a country" I had new found hate for that man. Akintola first said "igbos control everything" wch first separated us as nigerians.

they actually controlled almost everything but were not satisfied. they wanted the position of prime minister and also wanted to rule the north. hence, the first military coup.