By Musa Diso
In the last half a century or so, northern Nigeria has paraded high caliber of political gurus who no doubt, have made the region proud. Some of these notable politicians can be traced to the first republic whose grassroots democratic ideals had made tremendous impact not only on the political structures of the region, but the citizenry in general as. They were always first in the political front burner in making what northern Nigeria is today.
Among such notable political juggernauts were the first premier of the region, Alhaji Sir Ahmad Bello (the Sardauna of Sokoto), the first prime minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the first leader of the opposition, Mallam Aminu Kano whose party, the Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU) gave the conservatives sleepless nights during their numerous campaigns where it proved to be the party to beat.
Other political top notches’ from the old north were Chief J.S Tarka (Middle Belt), Alhaji Maitama Sule, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, Chief Paul Unongo (Middle Belt), Alhaji Yahaya Kwande, Alahji Abubakar Rimi and many more. Many of these politicians- some now late had contributed immensely in the political, economic and social development of northern Nigeria. But one of them who stood out and would not be forgotten in a hurry because of his dogged fight for the rights of the poor masses (the talakawas), was Malam Aminu Kano whose fearless disposition and defiance against the authorities of his time, had always set him on war path with the establishment which he regarded as mere appendage of imperialism exploiting the downtrodden.
It is now 41 years since Malam Aminu Kano departed from this world to the great beyond and since then, the north is yet to get his equal in terms of his political acumen, dexterity and war against oppressive tendencies by the powers that be of his time. Even through the likes of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Tarkas, the Unungos, the Yakasais, etc, have contributed and made considerable impact in North’s body polity; they paled under the champion of talakawas political sagacity.
Malam Aminu Kano came, saw and indeed stooped to conquer. He fought the sarakunas (Emirs) and confronted the dreadful feudal lords head on just to free his people from the bondage of poverty and oppressive rule that was notorious in his early political days. And in spite of intimidation, physical harassment and psychological trauma against him and his teaming followers, the Malam never cooked badly. A good lesson for today’s politicians.
Malam Aminu Kano was born on August 8, 1920 in Sudawa Quarters of Kano City. He was the first son of Malam Yusuf, and Malama Rukaiyatu (alias Mambayya). His father, Malam Yusuf, was a renowned Islamic scholar and a one-time Mufti in the Qadis`s court in Kano City. He was from the gyanawa Fulani clan, which is noted for its scholarship. Malam Aminu Kano received his earliest education from his own mother Rukaiyatu, who taught him the Qur`an. He commenced his primary education at the Shahuci Elementary School in 1930. Malam Aminu attended the Kano Middle School and then the Katsina College, and later the Kaduna College, between1933 and 1942. After teaching for about five years at the Bauchi Middle School, he proceeded in 1947 to the Institute of Education of the University of London to undertake a diploma course in education. Upon his return, he was posted to Maru Teachers` College in Sokoto, Sokoto Province where he taught until 1950.
Malam Aminu Kano resigned his teaching career in 1950 and joined active politics. He was elected president-general of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) at its first congress held in Kano in April 1953, a position he held up to the demise of the Nigeria`s first republic in 1966.
During General Yakubu Gowon`s administration, Aminu Kano was appointed the federal Commissioner for Communication from 1967 to 1971 and the federal Commissioner for Health from 1971 to 1974. He also served as a member of the Constituent Assembly between 1977 and 1978. From 1979 to 1983, when he died, Malam Aminu Kano was the leader of the People`s Redemption Party (PRP) and its Presidential candidate in the 1979 Nigeria`s general elections.
Throughout his public life, Malam Aminu Kano had indeed demonstrated to be a great leader who practised what he preached. As Yusuf Maitama Sule, former Nigeria`s ambassador to the United Nations once said: Malam Aminu led by example. He had no bank account anywhere in the world. He had no boxes full of clothes. He only had two or three sets of white clothes and a red cap. That was all he had. That was a true leader, Malam Aminu Kano.
Distinguished Senator Shehu Sani of the 8th National Assembly, Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Kaduna State said: Malam Aminu had been concerned with the exposition of social ills and problems prevalent in the society in his days namely; corruption, poverty, ignorance, idleness, begging, prostitution, injustice, diseases, mal-administration, the exploitation of women and children, and a host of other societal problems. Shehu Sani added that the direct and indirect impact of Malam Aminu Kano on the history of this country is considerable. He could best be remembered as a strong believer in and dogged fighter for the upliftment of humanity and dignity of women. But, Aminu Kano`s struggle has historical roots and ideological basis that cannot be ignored.
He said Malam Aminu Kano was fearless even in the face of political persecution. He wrote so many pamphlets against the aristocracy and became more radical while at Bauchi where in 1942, he met Sa`ad Zungur whose radical thoughts broadened his socio-political mode of thinking. Saying that Malam Aminu Kano was Islamically versed and was never in the Marxist School of thought, hence he considered Islam to be the vehicle for a system of social justice. And this is embodied in his party`s (NEPU) slogan: “To glorify God, association and service to the community.”
Throughout his political life, Malam`s preoccupation was the democratisation of local authority structures. But were he to be alive today, would he have welcomed the creation of over 774 local government areas, the creation of states, the open ballot system and ward as the unit of political organisation? The answer is perhaps. It is no secret however, that Malam was against the prevalent mode of political activity at the local level when it was under the sarauta system which alienated the talakawas from any form of political participation.
