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 Daily
Independent Online.
* Friday, July 02, 2004.
Sokoto Caliphate is the
foundation of unity in Nigeria — Dikko
Dr. Umaru Dikko, Second Republic transport minister and the power
behind Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s throne, is no stranger to controversy. He
speaks his mind no-matter whose ox is gored and that was exactly what he
did penultimate weekend when Daily Independent sought his view on the
impact of the Caliphate on Nigeria’s socio-political development. He
spoke with Ikechukwu Amaechi, Group
Politics Editor, inside the Shehu Kangiwa Square, Sokoto, venue of
the all-emirate grand Durbar that climaxed the bicentenary anniversary of
the Sokoto Caliphate.
How do you feel being part of the historic
bicentenary anniversary of the Sokoto Caliphate?
This
is one of the greatest days to be witnessed by Nigerians because we are
celebrating a history that is 200 years old. This is what we are
celebrating today and this gathering, as you can see, is a peaceful
gathering. It is a celebration that each and every one of us is highly
proud of, and we are happy we are alive to witness this great day. I am
sure you are happy too.
What in your opinion is the impact of the
Caliphate on Nigeria’s socio-political development?
The
Sokoto Caliphate is one of the greatest empires in Africa. In the days of
Songhai, Mali and Ghana empires, there was the Sokoto Empire also. It is
from here - Sokoto caliphate - that what you call law and order began in
Nigeria.
But many Nigerians will also say that the
history of the Caliphate is nothing other than the history of domination
and to that extent, one can say that the impact of the Caliphate on
Nigeria is more negative than positive.
No
way. The Sokoto Caliphate is the foundation of unity in Nigeria. Like I
said earlier, it is one of the biggest empires in Africa. So, if you say
Sokoto Caliphate has dominated Nigeria, I will say that Nigeria has also
dominated the Sokoto Caliphate.
But it will be a big, albeit pleasant surprise
if people from the Middle Belt, including Chief Solomon Lar, agree with
the viewpoint you have just expressed.
Where
is the Middle Belt? It is only a geographical expression. It is not a
political entity. Okay! You better get that right. Middle Belt is part
and parcel of the North.
But somebody like Chief Solomon Lar will
disagree with you on that score.
Well,
go and tell Solomon Lar that I said that Middle Belt is only a
geographical expression and let me hear what he will say. Tell Solomon
Lar that Umaru Dikko said that what they call Middle Belt is part and
parcel of the North and that beyond that it is a mere geographical
expression. You can talk of the North, East, West, South and so on, and
not the Middle Belt. It is a geographical expression and not a political
entity.
The
Middle Belt, I repeat, is part and parcel of the North and there is no
way anybody can tell me otherwise.
You recently floated a parallel organisation to
ACF…
No,
I am not going to answer that question.
Two hundred years after, would you say that the
influence of the Caliphate is as strong as it used to be?
Let
me tell you something. You have heard of ECOWAS? In 1837, Sultan Bello
called a meeting of the first ECOWAS; he called a meeting of the then key
empires here in Sokoto in 1837. So, what you have today as ECOWAS is even
a smaller body.
Without the events of 1804 when
Shehu Usman Dan Fodiyo launched his jihad, do you think there would have
been any Nigeria today?
I
don’t know what would have been. All I know is that we had our own
empire. Nigeria probably would have been what it is. In 1904, where was
Nigeria? Definitely, there was no Nigeria.
The Caliphate united what is today known as
Northern Nigeria and even after independence held the North together. Do
you think the political entity called the North is as cohesive today as
it used to be?
Obviously,
these are different times, but even at that, the North is as united as
ever. They were less political and more religious then. I will say the
North is more political now truly, I wouldn’t say less religious
otherwise you will think I am … but the North is the North. There is only
one North. So I urge you to go back to Solomon Lar and tell him that this
is Umaru Dikko’s comment, what is your answer?
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