The serial marginalization of Niger East

In the realm of Nigerian politics, no word or phrase has been so abused as the word “marginalization,” especially as it relates to groups of people or ethnic tribes of the country. A combination of low productivity, excessive greed, breathtaking corruption and cluelessness in government and leadership, and a rising population has shown that the national cake was never going to be enough to meet all the needs of a population estimated to be over 160 million at the turn of the 4th republic democratic experience in 1999. 

In fairness, the phrase “we are marginalized” became more pronounced in Nigeria political landscape after the annulment of the June 12,1993 election, widely believed to be the freest election ever held in Nigeria, and also believed to have been won by MKO Abiola, a Yoruba business man. The annulment of that election threatened the peace and corporate existence of Nigeria as a country because most Yorubas believed that it was a deliberate oppression by the Hausa-Fulani oligarchy to continue to dominate and achieve their “born-to-rule” philosophy.

However the drums and sounds of political marginalization amongst tribes and ethnic groups have continued to dominate the political landscape of Nigeria. In Niger State for example, politics of marginalization are part of key issues that continue to pose a great challenge to peace and sustainable development of the state, especially since the beginning of the new political dispensation in the country.

Niger State is made up of three Senatorial District, the Niger South Senatorial District, made up of Nupe as the predominant tribe, the Niger East Senatorial District, made up of Gbagyi as the predominant tribe and the Niger North, predominantly Kambari tribe. While the Nupes and the Kambaris can boast of having produced Governors in the state, the highest the Gbagyis have gotten in terms of political office is that of Deputy Governor, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu in 1999.

The Gbagyi people who are the second largest ethnic group in the state, accounting for 60% of food production in the state, have continued to bear the political brunt arising from total marginalization. Since the emergence of the present administration in the state, the Niger South Senatorial District have been completely schemed out of political arrangement in the state, and are therefore made to watch proceeding from the sideline in terms equal distribution of political appointment.

These developments continue to attract sharp reactions from their political leaders and elected office holders who believed that the people have been shortchanged in the distribution of political offices by the present administration, especially at the state level. The Gbagyis, especially, have resolved that they would not support the current governor come 2019 for its failure to recognize them in the appointment of its principal officers.

Recently during the 6th Diko Day annual cultural festival organized by the Diko community Development Association (DCDA), Suleja, where sons and daughters of Gbagyis from all walks  of life come together to celebrate their rich culture, the people were united in one voice when they made it abundantly clear that they might be forced to shift their support from the present administration in the state.

The Gbagyis used the occasion to sound a note of warning to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) saying that they might be forced to look the other way in 2019 if the political imbalance is not addressed. The people are not alone in their cry against marginalization as some of their political leaders and elected office holders have joined in the struggle as they have continue to bear their mind in every fora.

The Senator Representing the zone in the upper legislative chamber, Barrister David Umaru has never hiding his displeasure and frustration over what he called “decade of deliberate marginalization” of his people in political appointments by every successful government in the state. According to him, “Today the main principal offices of the Niger state government do not take into cognizance the Gbagyi as a people. This is against the constitution which states that every government must reflect the cultural diversity of its people. I want us to resolve today, that the Gbagyi people will not support any government that discriminates against them.

Also, last the week, the People of Niger East Senatorial District, under the umbrella of Niger East Development Association, kicked against the nomination of Professor Mustapha Zubairu for the appointment as Resident Electoral Commission to fill the state quota at the federal level. The Association, in a strongly worded protest letter to the Senate President the nomination of Professor Zubairu negates the principle of federal character as provided in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, chapter 11 section 14(3).

The people are aggrieved that Professor Zubairu and Alhaji Mohammed Haruna who was recently appointed INEC National Commissioner came from the same local government (Bida), the same town (Bida), the same Federal Constituency in the same Senatorial District (Niger South) and from the same ethnic group (Nupe). According to them, out of the three constituencies in the state, Niger East Senatorial District, predominantly Gbagyi, has been deliberately marginalized and shortchanged in all appointments made so far at both federal and state level.

Specifically they said all the appointments made so far were from a particular ethnic group and religion and therefore vowed to continue with their agitations until what they described as “lopsided appointment of people from the state into the APC government is addressed.

Citing some of the appointments made so far at both Federal and state level which did not favour the Senatorial District, the people said the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant of the Civil Defense are from Niger south senatorial District, adding that “even the career ambassador nominee from Niger South and the non-career one are from Niger North, leaving Niger East with nothing”.

While the country appears to be on course for a better and greater future, some people are bent on turning the wheel of hope and destiny backward by deliberately planning and plotting predominance interests in the appointments of particular ethnic groups into federal positions without consideration to ethnic diversity. 

The petitioners urged the Senate President to take immediate steps to balance these lopsided federal appointments in the interest of peace and unity of the state. From the above, it is incumbent in the spirit of equity and fairness to  that justice is done to the people of the Niger East senatorial district.

Usman wrote in from Chanchaga, Minna, Niger State.