Capping a pandora’s box: The politics of state creation
Modern Nigerian history is replete with many memorable chapters as well as colourful people who at one time or the other have played roles which have cast their names in letters of gold. Among the notable milestone of our contemporary history, we could count Nigeria’s independence, the Nigerian Civil war and state creation. Each of […]
Modern Nigerian history is replete with many memorable chapters as well as colourful people who at one time or the other have played roles which have cast their names in letters of gold. Among the notable milestone of our contemporary history, we could count Nigeria’s independence, the Nigerian Civil war and state creation. Each of these marked a turning point in the history of this country such that those who witnessed them would forever have them printed in their memories. But for those who took part in them in them as principal actors, each of these events will not only leave indelible marks on them but will remain on their memories till they depart this world. Alhaji Usman Faruk NPM,CON, Jarman Gombe, is one such Nigerian who witnessed the dawn of independence in1960,held a pivotal post as a Military Governor and member Supreme Military Council for eight years, championed and pioneered the struggle for the creation of states in Nigeria where he held forte as Chairman of the National Association of State Movements in Nigeria (NASMON).
It is the latter that forms the central theme of his latest book :The Making of Gombe state: A Historical Panorama. Alhaji Faruk has earned for himself an enviable place among Nigeria’s intelligentsia through his writings in history, religion, politics and other areas of national concern. But by far, his major contribution to Nigerian letters is his forceful style in putting across his views on several national issues on which he feels strongly. His autobiography, From Farm House to Government House is a reader’s delight in the view of his lucid prose and gripping story of his childhood years, through his years in the elite Barewa College, the Nigeria College of Arts and Science, Zaria, before enrolling in the Nigerian Police Force.
The politics of states creation in Nigeria is in itself a topical and recurrent issue in the country and Alhaji Faruk’s book does ample justice to the topic by tracing its history from the first republic through the phases of military rule. This covers the regimes of General Yakubu Gowon, General Murtala Ramat Muhammad, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Sani Abacha and even the Buhari/idiabgbon regime which showed open hostility to the issue.
Nigeria, like the African continent, is a vast and complex phenomenon with its rich history , diverse cultures and teeming populace. Nigeria makes it a unique study as a modern African nation state forged in the cauldron of British colonial rule. Whatever imperfections it inherited at independence in1960, it was hoped, would be addressed by the first republic statesmen who took over the mantle of leadership from the British. Key among these was the yearning of many political entities within the Nigerian federation for self determination. Alhaji Faruk provides an excellent historical over view of how this worked out in the case of Gombe. His story spans the entire history of Gombe emirate and later Gombe division under the yoke of Bauchi after Bauchi state was carved out of the North Eastern State by General Murtala Muhammad in 1975.
THE STORY OF MODERN GOMBE
The Making of Gombe State presents the reader with a simple story of the conception, gestation and birth of modern Gombe told with frills, anxiety and exhilaration that accompanies the emergence of any modern state. The difference however lies in the way the author presents his facts. Using his vantage position as the pioneer chairman of the Gombe State Movement, Alhaji Faruk marshals a formidable array of facts, statistics and brilliant insight to tell a compelling story. He also brings to bear his wealth of experience as a professional intelligence officer, administrator and key player in Nigerian national politics to enliven the story of Gombe which he narrates with compassion and ease.
The book is divided into 12 chapters of lucid prose, facts and statistics. In addition the 12th chapter, which includes a fitting conclusion to the narration of the preceding eleven chapters, also contains tributes to key actors in the story and as well as vintage photographs of personalities, high and low, and of historic moments in the journey which the author recounts. But by far what the reader will find amazing in this book is the attention to infinite detail which the author pays in reproducing original documents relating to all the stages of the struggle for the creation of Gombe state. These include minutes of meetings, speeches (in English and Hausa), newspaper cuttings, letters as well as petitions and memoranda submitted with original signatures by those at the helm of affairs in the movement for the creation of Gombe State. These details make the book a compendium and compulsory reading for those who wish to know what truly transpired over a period of almost two decades when those who fought for the creation state stood up to be counted.
THOSE WHO STOOD TO BE COUNTED.
The beauty of Alhaji Faruk’s book is the incredible insights he brings in analyzing the numerous personalities who populate its pages. These include the heroes and villains of the story. Standing tall above the heroes are His Royal Highness Malam Abubakar Umar, the late Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abdulkadir Baba Manu ABM, Sarkin Yamman Gombe, and the author himself who holds the title of Jarman Gombe. The trio made up the father, the financer and the pilot of the tortuous process which led to the creation of Gombe state. Others who also stood up to be counted include HRH Alhaji Shehu Usman Abubakar, Emir of Gombe, Late Alhaji Yunusa Kaltingo MHR and Majority leader in the Second Republic House of Representatives, Lagos, Alhaji Saidu Umar Kumo (Garkuwan Gombe), Mr. Sule Amos, Ambassador Yerima Abdullahi (Sarkin Bai of Gombe). The list is countless but each in his own way made a solid contribution which the book acknowledges in one way or the other.
DARK HORSES, FOES AND FENCE SITTERS.
In spite of the bright points and highlights in this book there is also a dark chapter which sufficiently paints the painful stories of betrayal, subterfuge, falsehood and outright hostility. Those opposed to the creation of Gombe state from the old Bauchi state could found on both sides of the divide. The author did not mince words in exposing the subterfuge and hostility of those in charge of affairs in Bauchi against the separation of Gombe from Bauchi. They were helped along by a mixture of opportunists and blackguards who, though of Gombe origin, saw no benefit in the creation of Gombe State. They either stood against it or sought for pecuniary reward before supporting it. Others merely sat on the fence. Such people, either dead or alive receive outright condemnation from the author. This chapter of infamy shows the passionate fervor with which the author narrates the story of modern Gombe. It also points to the unlimited joy which overcame the author and his compatriots when on October 1st 1996 Gombe State was created by late General Sani Abacha. The story did not however end there. Other key members of the movement have written their own views which the author fully reproduce in chapter 10. The two military administrators of the young state, Group Captain J.J Orji and Lt Colonel M.I. Bawa on whose shoulders were laid the task of laying a solid foundation took center stage. Their successors are the two civilian Governors of Gombe State, His Excellency Alhaji Abubakar Habu Hashidu, Mutawallen Dukku and Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Goje, Sarkin Yakin Gombe. Both in various ways also played important roles in the earlier struggle for the creation of Gombe State. The two are therefore given ample credit in this book: Alhaji Hashidu for his role in the second phase of the Gombe State creation Movement where he served as Executive Secretary and Alhaji Danjuma Goje as an active member of the movement, a keen advocate and promoter of the author’s commitment to documenting the process. Alhaji Goje has today come to represent the face of modern Gombe State for which others have laboured and sacrificed to bring into being.
CONCLUSION
Alhaji Usman Faruk has once more lived up to his reputation as one who not only stood up to be counted but also a no-nonsense raconteur who came into history, took up a key role, performed it and lived long enough to recount it. His account lays bare all the facts without any adornment , not fearing whose ox is gored. In the process, he provides a fitting tribute to those who fought for the self determination of their people and through their efforts had states of their dreams created. The book is thus topical against the current struggle for the creation of new states which has currently lodged the request at the National Assembly. Those who are engaged in this as well as those in whose hands lay the power to create the states would benefit immensely from this book. Others who wish to know of an important aspect of Nigerian history, the emergence of the 36 state structure in Nigeria should also read Alhaji Faruk’s book. The nation at large stands to gain from Alhaji Faruk, who among elder statesmen of his generation is unique in his ability to intervene in some crucial aspects of our national matters. He does this with ease and compassion because he has at his disposal an insurmountable amount of data, historical records and archival material which today is the envy of many a researcher. It is hoped that more books will follow this one on other raging issues in the polity.
The Making of Gombe State : A Historical Panorama written by Alhaji Usman Faruk NPM,CON Jarman Gombe. It is published in by Ahmadu Bello University Press Ltd,2010. It has 325 pages. THE BOOK WILL BE LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER 2010.
Dr. Salihu Mohammed Bappa Senior Lecturer in English & Drama Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.