Aminu Kano: 35 years without a revolutionary

History is full of testimonies, promises and antecedents that many important people across the world have been remembered for various reasons, and for becoming outstanding in human affairs; some for their simplicity, others for their generosity, many more for their compassion and still others for commendable act. It’s such an honour once again to remember […]

History is full of testimonies, promises and antecedents that many important people across the world have been remembered for various reasons, and for becoming outstanding in human affairs; some for their simplicity, others for their generosity, many more for their compassion and still others for commendable act.

It’s such an honour once again to remember a great apostle of the masses, the late Malam Aminu Kano, who died 35 years on April 17, 1983. Malam Aminu left a lot of legacies for Nigerians in terms of political education, democratic humanism and politics of ideology. We owe Malam, as he was fondly called, our continued prayer for the repose of his soul and ultimately paradise.

The anniversary of Malam’s demise came at a time the country is in dire need of a personality like him but the vacuum created is yet to be filled and the politics of ideology and democratic humanism, which he preached, remain a tall dream. He spent his lifetime and energy redeeming the oppressed.

Malam started his struggle in Bauchi while he was there as a teacher. His contact with the likes of late Malam Sa’adu Zungur, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa served as an inspiration to his struggle of redeeming the talakawas from unjust treatment by the feudal class.

His coming back to Kano after a stint in Gusau on invitation of people who saw in him excellent leadership qualities was indeed a period of expansion not only of the state but the NEPU ideologies which had spread throughout the country.

When Malam started, there was a lot of anxiety amongst the feudalists who foresaw the end of their despotic leadership and devised means of eliminating him and his followers.

Despite all odds, he proved to be a restless, fearless, God-fearing political leader who was out to protect the interest and integrity of the people based on humanitarian consideration. Malam according to history was neither an alarmist, a dictator nor opportunist. He was very generous and refused to allow western values dictate his conscience.

The success of the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in both old Kano and Kaduna was as a result of the late Malam’s noble leadership qualities which present day politicians, including his disciples, find difficult to imbibe. Aminu Kano was not only a radical political strategist but a revolutionary leader who succeeded in maintaining the ideal of rising up against oppression until his death.

Although Malam has been off the Nigerian political stage for 35 years now, what seem interesting is the ability of some of his disciples to recall vividly what he had predicted pertaining the future economic, social and political development of his motherland. 

The late Malam Aminu Kano was an exceptional peace advocate considering the role he played in restraining his disciples against murdering peace wherever they are in the world. It is a fact that during his lifetime, he preached that peace should prevail in not only Nigeria but the world over.

With the formation of Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) in the 1950s as an opposition party, late Aminu Kano became its leader and continued with the struggle against injustice. His election into the Federal House of Representatives during the First Republic provided him opportunity to articulate and present radical and progressive motions aimed at improving the welfare and economic condition of the down trodden.   

As a Federal Commissioner under Gowon’s regime, he demonstrated rare patriotism and accountability as he brought his wealth of experience to bear in that position. Despite the cabinet position, he joined in a demonstration by university students against unfriendly government policies.

Late Aminu Kano’s resignation from General Yakubu Gawon’s cabinet was an authentication that unlike the typical politician, he was never power drunk to remain in a government that goes contrary to his principles. The lifting of ban on political activities in 1978 saw the emergence of the late apostle of masses as leader of the defunct Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

The then PRP led by late Malam Aminu was made up of trade union activists, members of the academia, the down trodden and many segments of the society who identified with the “democratic humanism” philosophy of the party. Remarkably, the leading actors of the party came from various parts of the country.

The manifesto of the defunct PRP gave much emphasis on improving the condition of the common man through provision of better social amenities, termination of livestock tax (Jangali) and land tax (haraji) which had been a way of exploiting the citizens.

In as much as your left nobody to proceed from where you stopped, it is indeed our prevent prayer that Almighty Allah will send from within us somebody that would slug it out with the oppressors from a moral point of view in 2019 and thereafter.

Danyaro wrote in from 8 Accra Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.