Defending Datti Baba Ahmed

In a recent article published in the Daily Trust, Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed lambasted Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El Rufai, who was heard in a facebook video clip criticising the tripartite nationalists i.e: Sir Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe, saying: “They did not work had enough to build a nation. They maintained […]

In a recent article published in the Daily Trust, Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed lambasted Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El Rufai, who was heard in a facebook video clip criticising the tripartite nationalists i.e: Sir Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe, saying: “They did not work had enough to build a nation. They maintained only what they found and benefits from it”

For the avoidance of doubt both Dr. Datti and Governor El-Rufai are honorable gentlemen. The refusal of El-Rufai to bribe the senate in order clear him for ministerial seat is still fresh in our minds. In the same manner, we will not forget how Dr. Datti, then as honorable member of House of Representatives, committed a political hara-kiri, when he exposed his colleagues for collecting bribe ironically from the executive. So when I side with Dr. Datti it is not that I love Caesar less but I love Rome more.

Check this out, the countries of West Africa got their independence twenty years earlier than their South African counterparts. This happened because of the extraordinary courage and active nationalism exhibited by Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Zik of Africa. Trust me, even today with the emergence of civil society organizations, human right groups etc. opposing a superpower requires a special kind of guts, skills and above all conviction.

Now this, Nigeria, Sudan and Angola started their civil wars almost the same time in the sixties; Nigeria was able to swiftly conclude hers within the span of three and a half years. Sudan and Angola slug it out for almost three decades. In the case of Sudan it leads to her balkanization.

It is in recorded history that Chief Obafemi Awolowo had something to do with the sudden Nigerian victory. Chief Awolowo was to General Gowon the same way General Ulysses Grant was to President Abraham Lincoln of United State of America. Their exceptional sagacity, superior strategic foresight helped in the abrupt end of the civil wars. On our part saving us three decades of anguish and devastation. 

Finally, kingdoms, empires and nations expand their territories by conquering or by paying through their noses. Sir Ahmadu Bello was able to expand the Nigeria territory by employing another method called “political manoeuvre”. No bloodshed and not a dime were paid. He displayed sheer wit, which exposed him as a shrewd politician.

Frankly speaking, they did work extra hard to build this nation in the process; midwived it, added a piece of land including fifty years of peace and tranquility. I am yet to see any Nigerian politician achieving such a feat. 

Sirajo Mudi Kurfi, Minna.