PRESIDENT JONATHAN AND THE RAGING OF THE NORTH
The Emergence of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the Winner of the April General Elections was received with mixed feelings in Africa's most populous black Nation, while the International Community and other Well meaning Nigerians congratulated him on his Victory, One part of the Nation received it with outrage and it fuelled what has since become the 'Raging of the North'.
This whole incidence of Rage dates back to the PDP Presidential primaries of 2010, when the issue of 'Zoning or no Zoning' issue came up on the Presidency of 2011, the Likes of Alh Adamu Ciroma, Former President Ibrahim Babangida, Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar all frowned at the decision of President Jonathan to contest, when there was a purported 'Zoning' agreement for power to shift back to the North.
Statements credited to Gen Ibrahim Babangida and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar after the emergence of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP Presidential Flagbearer created a lot of concern on whether this former leaders were indeed Statesmen.
An unprecedented Post Election Violence after the April General Election in Northern States like Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Borno that was perpetrated by some disgruntled and misguided Northern Youth element was very atrocious. Dedicated Nigerian Youth Corpers were killed alongside other Southerners in these States, While Buildings and properties of Northern Political Leaders and Traditional Leaders who supported President Jonathan were torched and destroyed.
The 2011 General Elections was the most credible Nigeria ever had since June 12, 1993 and the violence that marred it showed how fragile our National development was especially when sectional interests sought to override National interest.
Another Dimension to the 'Raging of the North' Has been the Lukewarm approach the Northern Political Leaders have shown in the heat of the 'Boko Haram' Militia Phenomenon of suicide Bomb Blast and Gun Attacks has between 2011 and 2012 claimed over 1,200 civilians and force men in Nigeria posing serious theats to the Nation's Stability.
It is surprising that after almost a year since this deadly Islamic group started the operations, the Northern Political Leaders looked like they have suddenly realized the severity of the calamities of this group and recently gathered to assess the situation only to attribute it to 'Injustice' something that is very vague.
Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi was quoted as saying that 'The Boko Haram Phenomena' can be traced to decades of Underdevelopment in the North and Imbalance in the revenue sharing formula a very cynical statement at a time when solutions are needed to tackle the 'Boko Haram' menace.
The issue of Underdevelopment, Marginalization, Poverty and Injustice as claimed by the Northern Frontline leaders like Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, and Dr Adamu Ciroma is unacceptable for a region that has produced 7 Heads of State since Independence.
One reason why this claim is not tenable is that most of the Northern Governors have carried a faulty mentality that it is more allocation from the revenue account that will tackle the challenge of poverty in the region, it is not more money but being strategic in their policy and programmes that will transform their region.
Until they come together and articulate a policy agenda that will focus on Human Capital Development complementing Infrastructural development the number of Almajiris will still increase accelerating poverty in the region.
Economic Indicators show that the Non-Oil sectors are boosting growth for the Nation, it is therefore time for the Northern Governors and Leaders to look at the potentials of their Solid Minerals and Pressurize the Federal Government to Implement an effective policy that will develop this sector as another major earner that will be to their advantage.
Also the recent move by the Northern Governors Forum led by Governor Babangida Aliyu for an increase in the oil derivation revenue sharing formula is amazing, because one would have thought that they would have adopted a negotiation approach with the South South Governors from where the Oil is derived.
It is very clear that if Dr Goodluck Jonathan was not the President of Nigeria, the rage, agitations and clamour that we see in the North would not suffice as the would be relative peace in this region as we witnessed when Late President Umaru Yaradua was at the helm of the affairs.
Foremost African Leader Julius Nyerere has this quote 'History is moved and human conduct guided by ideological motivation that is in turn dictated by men's inner motivation to no less an extent than by objective reality around'.
The objective reality is that for Nigeria to survive, then Overriding Sectional Interest that are expressed through rage and unfair agitations, must give way to a new direction that will involve collective Nation Building efforts, this is what the North should Imbibe.
Ottoabasi Abasiekong is a Public and International Affairs Analyst based in Lagos.