History has it that Borno from time immemorial was outspoken in words and action, especially on the contemporary issues of a given period. Her role was therefore discerning, focused and articulated in a given situation or subject.
For example, the response of the Borno leadership under Sheikh Muhammed El-Kanemi to the attack on Borno on allegations of un-Islamic practices at the beginning of the 19th Century was clear, simple and straight forward.
In his efforts to ensure peace, he carried out a series of theological, legal and political debates through letters with Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio and later with his son, Mohammed Bello.
The resultant effect of this made it impossible for the Fulani Jihad to step on Borno soil. Thus Borno remained an unconquered land as far as the Jihad is concerned.
Historically, the politics of Borno during the pre-independence and in the First Republic can be described as dirty with deep animosity and bitterness. The politics of Borno at the period was broadly divided Abire Sunday Death is like a vacuum cleaner.
It puts an end to the desires of man. The body dies helplessly and is consumed by angry worms. It’s a road all mortals must thread whether old or young, rich or poor, short or tall. Death doesn’t discriminate. It’s friendly to all races and colours.
In fact, as long as a soul receives life, it is qualified to taste death. No special treatment. Although there are some religious explanations to the longevity of man, despite any prophetic stance, death is inevitable.
It consummates life and brings an abrupt end to the toiling of man. Death is good if you ask me. It puts a check on the excesses of man. It writes off our frailties. It covers our shame. And we are set for a new life in the hereafter.
A new life that cannot be explained except by the dead man alone. There are many agents of death. Just as it’s jocularly said that something must kill a man, a sudden appearance of these agents reverberate in man and serve as (though not equally) between two major political parties, the Northern People’s Congress, the ruling party and the Northern Elements Progressive Union.
Later, there emerged in 1954, the Borno Youth Movement, a more militant political party formed by some young Kanuri radicals and led by Alhaji Abubakar Imam.
Imam was, before assuming the leadership of the BYM, a parliamentarian and Secretary General of the NPC but was compelled to resign from the NPC as a result of his opposition to the party’s parochialism and insensitivity to progressive reforms.
The BYM aims were, among others, to checkmate the rising profile of the NPC in Borno and curtail the imposing Hausa domination of the whole region and the creation of the North-east province or State to comprise Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa provinces.
This was against the “One north” policy of the NPC. The bitterness, hatred and outright prejudice between the NPC on one hand, the BYM and NEPU on the other led to suspicion, casting of dangerous aspersions and innuendos, and ultimate rival political clashes resulting in deaths and destruction of property.
For example, in a single day, over 500 supporters of NEPU were sentenced to various imprisonments in Maiduguri without option of fines for unlawful assembly.
Also in 1956, the BYM candidate, Alhaji Basheru Yunusa defeated Alhaji Shettima Kashim, the Waziri of Borno (Prime Minister) who contested under the platform of the NPC during the Northern House of Assembly election for Yerwa constituency.
It was a humiliation beyond description, the second most important man in Borno to be defeated by a “truck driver” of the NA Works Department.
In 1958, during the elections into Yerwa Town Council, the BYM won eight seats as against NPC’s 23.
Though the NPC led in the elections, but the performance of BYM gave nightmare to NPC, the ruling party, which in response gave strict orders forbidding any social and commercial contact with the supporters of BYM.
The climax came when Imam, the leader of the BYM was jailed and sentenced to a one-year imprisonment on a trumped charge of bribery and corruption for receiving a horse gift.
The conviction was followed by the setting ablaze of Abubakar’s house in Maiduguri and was forced to go on exile in Gboko, the home town of Joseph Tarka, the leader of the United Middle Belt Congress.
There Abubakar contested election into the Northern Regional House of Assembly and won. He became leader of the opposition.
The idea of going all this is to show that Borno is a stranger to the culture of silence and would always speak out against any oppression when it becomes imperative.
Borno was equally in the forefront in the formation of the Progressive Governors Forum of Shagari’s era and an active participant in the process that saw the fusion of some political parties into All Progressive Congress, all in bid to check despotism.
It is therefore an irony to note that when the insurgency was ravaging Borno, rather than condemn the atrocity in unison, some prominent citizens of the state abandoned it for elsewhere, leaving Borno to burn.
For those who want Borno dead, there is need to have a rethink. Borno has suffered unprecedented deaths, blood and sorrow. If Borno falls as a result, they will equally go down the drain
Besides, some were alleged to have gone further in most horrified unbelief to aid the insurgency for mischief.
In short, there was conspiracy of silence by the concerned. The revelation by the Defence Headquarters on the alleged sabotage by some individuals and groups, mostly from Borno, was disturbing. And the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukashekau confirmed this in one of his statements.
It is, however, more disturbing now that in spite of the military successes recorded so far in the war against terrorism, the sporadic bombing spreading across places, especially in Borno State gives concern to all. And so worried is the military that it recently announced a cash reward of N500, 000 to anyone who is able to provide reliable information on the suicide bombers. For those who want Borno dead, there is need to have a rethink.
Borno has suffered unprecedented deaths, blood and sorrow. If Borno falls as a result, they will equally go down the drain.
