Kidnapping school children en-mass again has northern political undertones
There is a cold fight between President Bola Amed Tinubu and the North, from moving government parastatal to arresting the revered head of Fulani for establishing Fulani security guards. There is clear message of intolerance, BAT seems ready to engage the North.
Northern Nigeria might have greater number of out of school children. Greater number of beggers and everything derogatory, but their percentage of political involvement supersedes. They respond politically when called upon, and they can do anything to sustain their political fear factor. Their politicians are united, and when there is a political enemy, they have martyrdom mentality.
Known for their political strength, in number and involvement, northern Nigeria will always pride itself as the pillar of Nigerian politics. They always want to be recognised, feared and given fairer share of the national cake, but when not given, they have the capacity of frustrating the very government.
The frustration could come in form of blackmail, hoarding of Dollar or agricultural produce. They have the numbers in the House of Representative and the Red Chamber to twist the arms of any government. They know what is at stake, and they are always ready to use it against the government of the day.
Since the inception of President Bola Amed Tinubu’s administration, northern Nigeria feels marginalised. The fight began during the APC primary election, northern political leaders didn’t want Tinubu and politicked to deny him a fair primary election. They opted for a consensus candidate, but failed in the end. It was a rollercoaster primary that eventually produced the unwanted candidate.
Recall what happened in Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. The North didn’t want him and worked assiduously to frustrate his administration. Jonathan chested all the darts thrown at him until they desperately blackmailed him with kidnapping of school children en-mass. Jonathan was pressured and insulted. He was accused of being clueless and weak. Due to that kidnapping incident, the world wanted Jonathan out of office. The blackmail worked well. It brought down Jonathan’s government and ushered in Muhammadu Buhari, their darling.
President Bola Amed Tinubu emerged against their will, and the government is going same trajectory as Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. There is a desperate move to bring down the government, and northern rift is widening significantly.
Desperation kicked in and they decided to go for the kidnapping blackmail. No school kid was kidnapped under Buhari. They patiently waited for opposed administration. The news of the kidnapping has drawn international attention and northern politicians, activists and figures are already building a case, while other oppositions are adjusting to take advantage of the situation.
They now aim to use the Chibok season two to blackmail Tinubu’s administration and achieve political success as they did with Jonathan. There is a political undertone, and it was successful under Jonathan, and could be successful under Tinubu.
Innocent children are the pawns in this northern political game of chess. They don’t have human sympathy. They lack humanity and put ambition before life. Bola Amed Tinubu must rise to the occasion, it’s the brand of northern politics he must play.
