Malam Aminu Kano: Still the President Nigeria did not have.

A write up on Malam Aminu Kano By Muhammad Balarabe SangoII

Malam Aminu Kano: Still the President Nigeria did not have

Today, 17^th of April, 2012 is exactly 29 years ago when the great champion of the poor, a rebel, a crusader politician, a statesman and parliamentarian, died in his residence at Gwammaja, Kano City. His death has indeed created a gulf of vacuum that has not been filled since that time. Anyway, few of the likes of Malam Aminu Kano exist in any one century and in exceptional parts of the globe.

Nigerians, especially in the north, have been clamoring for a northern president, having been betrayed and sold by expected successors of our funding fathers like Ahmadu Bello Sardaunan Sokoto, Alh. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Malam Aminu Kano.

Malam Aminu Kano has been in and out of government several times, in all, he had the opportunity to be millionaire (of that time), but he died a humble man with little or nothing in his account in and abroad. He served his nation faithfully and selflessly. “The importance to society of people like Aminu Kano or Mahatma Gandhi is not that every politician can become like them, for that would be a totally unrealistic expectation. But the monumental fact is this: Gandhi was real; Aminu Kano was real … not angels in heavens … no one who reduces the high purpose of politics … to swinish scrambles ca do so without bringing down a terrible judgment upon himself. Nigeria cannot be the same again because Aminu Kano lived here” Chinua Achebe – The Trouble with Nigeria.

How prophetic are these words! Amongst our leaders especially from the north, how many can emulate Malam Aminu Kano? Who denied himself the materials of this world, paved way for others… ‘In his words… “daga gidajen sakar tabarmi da kiwon tumaki zuwa sama da sarakuna (from poor shepherd homes to higher pedestal above the monarchs). Even at death, has continued to be a symbol of emancipation and political catalysts for political office seekers for want cheap publicity by identifying themselves with the old sage.

The unfortunate thing is that, since the demise of our founding fathers, Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu) only their eulogies are being chanted at their anniversaries and no others. Why? Because the founding fathers have done their best selflessly for the region and the country in general, but as for their ‘successors’ they have virtually fell below expectations and have failed woefully with little or nothing to show as legacies. 52 years after independence, as in the words of Malam Aminu Kano, “our people eat diseased food, drink dirty water and sleep under wind and rain.” Majority of our politicians have turned politics into investing and profiteering venture. It’s a do or die affair, and survival of the fittest.

We are therefore left with wide gulf of leadership vacuum in the northern region and the nation at large. We need leaders that are selfless, patriotic, focused and full of foresight. Leaders that would put the nation’s interest first above all other interests of sectional, tribal and religious inclinations. By God we have these kinds of leaders, but many have not come forward to serve; even when they do, they will not be given the chance to do so because of our dangerous political trend in our polity. Were those founding fathers to resurrect to this messy nation, they would have die (again) instantly due to what they would have encounter. People like Malam Aminu Kano died when they were needed most. In fact, Malam Aminu Kano was the President Nigeria did not have. May his soul rest in perfect peace, amin.

Finally, I would to close with a quotation of his speech: “I have seen the light on the far away horizon, and I intend to march into its full circle, either alone or with anyone who cares to go with me” The questions are, what was the light seen by Malam Aminu Kano? Did anybody cared to go with him, or did they let him went alone?

Muhammad B Sango II