Tag: editorial

A TMV Editorial

Most successful nations have a period in their history when either their citizens or leaders overcame personalities or cultural mores which had impaired their progress. Only after transcending their impediments to success were the nations able to attain and maintain international prominence. Such a time is long overdue for Nigeria and a major barrier it must trample is Ibrahim Babangida, the Genocide General.

While considering a title for this article, this phrase–Baban Kisa–meaning the father of murder in Hausa language–was considered because it properly defined Babangida and because it is eerily similar to his name. However, Genocide General prevailed over Baban Kisa because the non Hausa speaking world would not recognize it. Needless to say, either of the names appropriately describe this former Nigerian dictator since his activities, past and present, continue to claim lives.

Before delving into the reasons why Babangida is the Genocide General, here is some background information on this very adversely consequential Nigerian. After deposing General Buhari in an internal power struggle on August 27, 1985, Babangida quickly began dipping his hands into Nigeria’s treasury, showing himself to be commander and thief rather than commander in chief. Babangida also became the chief of mischief, using government funds to buy and reward favors, while punishing individuals or regions he deemed hostile to his agenda.

Among the regions he targeted for sanctions was Plateau State because of its strength and Christian influence in the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria. The primary measure he took to undermine Plateau State was dividing Jos (the capital) into north and south counties. This enactment provided a mechanism for the Hausa guests to aspire for an emirate in a Christian tribal territory. As Plateau natives vehemently opposed this plan, it triggered a political crisis which graduated into the armed conflict that began on September 7th 2001. Sadly, Jos and other parts of Plateau State are still under military occupation because of the evil that was sowed by Babangida over twenty years ago.

Besides sowing the seeds of turmoil in Plateau State, Babangida also laid the foundation upon which the modern Hausa Islamic insurgency stands.  First, he inducted Nigeria into the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC), dividing Hausa loyalty between Nigerian citizenship and OIC membership. The repercussions of Nigeria’s OIC membership must not be under-appreciated since it created a Hausa Middle Eastern alliance which bolstered jihadism by providing resources from global Islamic Institutions. Moreover, it declared Nigeria a Muslim nation, though Christians, tribal worshipers and agnostics are the silent majority.

Sadly, Babangida’s damage to Nigeria did not end when he was chased out of office after his bid to succeed himself as a civilian president failed. When his successor, General Abacha was later “prayed to death” and out of power by the desperate fasting and prayer of poor Nigerians, Babangida quickly used his old influence to ensure that power was handed to a fellow Islamist, General Abubakar.

To understand the significance of Babangida’s intervention, General Abubakar used his brief period in office to create a provision that would allow for sharia law in the North when he oversaw the revision Nigeria’s constitution. This calamity made it possible for proceeding Hausa politicians to enact sharia, turning Nigeria into an ungovernable nation of two laws. Moreover it provided a platform for Hausa jihadists like Boko Haram  who now kill for the purpose of defending and expanding sharia law.

If the consequences of Babangida’s past activities are the only things ailing Nigeria today, the situation would not be as dire. Documents surfacing are revealing that the general is actively involved in the ongoing Hausa Islamic insurgency.  As he is involved in this deadly campaign whose aim is to drive out southerners from the north and to deplete the collective small tribes of the Middle Belt, Babangida is rightfully the Genocide General.

As we prepare to release our findings on Babangida’s current activities in Nigeria, here is an important submission: Even if Babangida’s hands  have been clean since his departure from office, Nigerians cannot afford to have a known criminal like him freely walking and enjoying ill gained wealth and power with impunity. Thus Babangida must be hauled before the courts to account for his looting of the Nigerian treasury and for the murder of many, including military officers like General Manman Vatsa during his rule. Nigeria will not progress until it is willing to take such measure.

By Iliya Paul Gindiri

With Boko Haram’s terror now raising more questions about the viability of Nigeria as a nation, Hausa Islamic leaders are calling for peace. Among the Hausa leaders speaking against Boko Haram are Dr. Muhammad Islam Ibrahim of the Islamic Society for Unity and Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar. While reading their press releases, this poignant question surfaced: Where were these Northern leaders, over the past decade, when Hausa terrorist unleashed untold brutality on Plateau residents and the Middle Belt at large?

The two Northern leaders painfully attempted to convince the world that Nigerian Islam is peaceful, yet their documents raised more questions than they provided answers. The first question the documents raised is, if Nigerian Muslims are peaceful, why did they impose sharia law on their fellow countrymen who are non Muslims? Next, why would a peaceful religion force its laws on anyone? Moreover, are they ready to call for abolition of sharia now that we know the law has been a catalyst for violence in Nigeria? The above questions more than require that Hausa leaders call for the revocation of sharia law if they are really serious about peace. Remember Boko Haram is fighting to impose sharia law in Nigeria.

Their silence on sharia law also raised the issue of African patriotism. Hausa leaders have willingly traded Nigerian souls for a foreign Arab religion. In fact, so devout are these men to their Middle Eastern masters that their fatwas often include greetings in Arabic. Is Arabic Nigeria’s national Language?

Such allegiance to Islamism raises yet another pertinent question–why should Nigerians relish nationhood with a tribe that wants political Islam at the expense of their fellow countrymen? This issue is relevant because Hausas will not acknowledge the fact that sharia law is splitting Nigeria. Since they seem incapable of comprehending this fact, maybe this analogy will help them understand. Much as the North would not accept a Nigeria where Christian doctrine is imposed at all cost, many are now advocating for sharing Nigeria apart because of sharia.

While Islamic imperialism has plunged Nigeria into violence, Hausa entitlement to the presidency has also kept the nation in political disarray. Consider this–except under Generals Gowon and Ironsi, Nigeria has never been governed without a Hausa man as head of state or vice president. To date, Hausas continue to demand the presidency or vice presidency whenever power is transferred in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, this claim to the presidency informed many of the excuses Hausas gave for Boko Haram’s terror. According to them, Boko Haram resorted to violence because Nigeria violated a power sharing agreement with Hausas after President Yar’Adua’s death.

Absurd as this claim is, it was echoed by Professor Jean Herskovits and Ambassador John Campbell. Perhaps Campbell and Herskovits were unaware that Boko Haram went on a killing spree when Yar’Adua was still president. Maybe they also forgot that Nigeria is a nation of over 400 tribes and Hausas are not the single largest group.

Suffice it to say, the sultan’s call for peace and Dr. Ibrahim’s fatwa both came too little too late. First of all, they failed to call for the revocation of sharia law, a move that would have isolated Boko Haram. Moreover, their documents did not address the root cause of Nigeria’s upheaval–the Hausa binge for perpetual political control via Islamic imperialism.

Still, I believe Abubakar and Ibrahim were genuinely calling on Hausa jihadists to halt all hostilities but for sinister reasons. First, Boko Haram was exposing the Hausa Nigerian domination agenda especially since the sultan had earlier refused to categorically condemn them. As Boko Haram became bolder, many began to blame Hausa leaders for their crimes, forcing them to condemn the group. Lastly, Boko Haram had turned its guns on the North, threatening to undermine the foundation of Hausa Islamic imperialism.

Now that the sultan and his colleagues are mired in damage control, they must recognize that the bombings of December 25th 2011 have permanently changed Nigeria. Nigerians will no more accept a nation where Hausas enjoy unique political and religious privileges that are conduits of oppression and terrorism.

A word of wisdom to Hausa leaders, if they care to listen:  You do not have the old North–you have a smaller North next to an emerging Middle Belt, awoken by the pain of bombs, bullets and swards of Hausa political entitlement and Islamic imperialism. This aggrieved Middle Belt will not participate in containing your oldest victims (the Igbos) should they again choose to depart Nigeria. Your options are limited to withdrawing your irrational entitlements to become a respected Nigerian tribe that is no greater or less than any other group.

By Native Journalist Network (NJN) submitted to www.TheMessengerVoice.com

While character assassination can be frowned at today, people like Hitler who committed crimes against humanity were ferociously vilified by their contemporaries. For this reason, we should have no problem ridiculing modern leaders who engage in heinous crimes against humanity, especially when it involves the mass murder of people including children.

Before directing comment at our subject, this pertinent fact most be considered. One of the genius of the modern Hausa Jihad against Nigerians in the Middle Belt and the North is that there are no personalities to be held accountable for the heinous crimes. If the perpetrators were conspicuous, the world would have vilified and hauled them before the international criminal court for trial.

When you carefully scrutinize the jihad however, finger prints of its leaders are visible in broad day light. To help our reader identify them, it must be noted that Boko Haram, the most visible of the Jihadist, only came into prominence after Hausa Governors created an Islamic army in 2001. Headed by governor Sani of Zamfara State, Hausa leaders founded and funded groups of jihadist in anticipation of their next move, the declaration of Sharia law.

It should therefore take no peculiar intellectual ability to understand that the Hausa creation of an Islamic army and the declaration of sharia law marked the beginning of this current Jihad. You should also know that this campaign is the continuation of Uthman DanFodiyo’s brutal jihad which Islamized the North over a century ago.

As this jihad has continued, the world has failed to see the connection between the core demand of Nigerian jihadists today and the goals of Hausa leaders ten years ago. Also, Boko Haram has demanded the nationalization of the very same sharia law which was established by the Hausa. Better yet, the world has failed to see that Boko Haram is doing exactly what Governor Sani and his fellow Hausa leaders set out to do, create an offensive Islam army to expand their political domain though they claim to be defending Muslims.

But even worse than the above, the world has failed to see that Boko Haram is only one among the many terrorist organizations that were created by Hausa leaders to expand Islam to benefit Hausa politicians. That is why the leader of Nigerian Muslims, Sultan Saad Abubakar has openly said, not every terrorist act in Nigeria is committed by Boko Haram. It is also worth noting that Mallam Sale Bayero, a Hausa leader who is connected with the Sultanate justified the massacre of the Birom people while protesting the arrest of the Fulani murderers in Plateau State of Nigeria– referenced from THE SUN NEWS edition of Friday March 12th, 2010.

Speaking of the Sultan, it is important to note that he has endorsed various initiatives undertaken by Hausa leaders to advance their political agenda via Islam, even when they claim Nigerian lives. Since the Sultan is the leader of Hausa leaders and their initiatives have ushered mas murder, this question must be asked: Is he Sultan or Satan? The correct answer is SATAN, with piercing horns and blood sucking fangs for that matter!

A TMV Editorial

The barrage of bombs dropped on Nigerian Christians on Christmas Day, December 25, 2011 was clearly designed to insight fear and subdue the nation to the political will of the Hausa North. Instead of aiding the Hausa effort to dominate Nigeria, however, the perpetrators are simply bombing Nigeria apart from the North.

Even before the Christmas mass bombings, Nigerians had been growing weary of their forced marriage to the Hausa North, whose leadership has openly endorsed war as the means for achieving its Islamic goals.  As Nigerian Christians are now  calling on their parishioners to defend themselves, armed conflict is very likely and Nigeria will not survive it intact.

This modern Jihad, which was openly founded and funded by former governor Sani and his colleagues, has now conceivably passed a threshold of no return. Even some lay Hausa natives are beginning to understand how their leadership has bitten more than it can chew.  According to a Hausa native who posted a comment on Sahara Reporters news site, “Buhari and others will soon regret their action because soon the country will be divided.”

A TMV Editorial

The recent move by the Nigerian Central Bank to invest the country into the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM) is yet another evidence that Lamido Sanusi is nothing but a diplomatic Islamist. You should recall, Sanusi also attempted to introduce Shariah Banking to Nigeria earlier this year.

What continues to fascinate many non-Muslims is the silence from Christians and secularists in the Nigerian government. While Islamic nations might feel endowed with the right to invest their countries in religious schemes, it is TMV’s belief that the Nigerian government has no right to favor one group of people over another because Nigeria is not an all-Islamic nation.

But Islam remains the only religion which global institutions continue to give an unfair advantage. This advantage is born out of the fact that global institutions have accepted the marriage between Islam and nations, thus allowing them to conduct business with the UN and other world entities. On the other hand, there are no leagues of Christian, secular, Buddhist, or Hindu nations conducting business with the UN and other global institutions.

Every educated and democratic-loving individual alive must fight this bias and unfair advantage handed to Islam, especially when it attempts to use the resources of a nation whose citizens are not all Muslims.

A TMV Editorial

Boko Haram, the December 7th Kaduna Bombing, Plateau conflict, Sharia Banking and the recent move by Sanunsi to drag Nigeria into the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation all have one thing in common: a drive by the Islamic North to impose its will and dominate Nigeria.

The net result of all the above is other Nigerians are questioning their marriage with the Hausa North. Even the Middle Belt is reverting to its indigenous identity, divorcing itself from any association with Northern Nigeria.

The refusal of the Sultan to categorically condemn the Islamic violence on other Nigerians is further fueling suspicion that a grand and fowl plan is at play. Regardless, this unfounded aggression, which more than appears to be a plan to control Nigeria via Islam is producing the opposite result—prying the Hausa North apart from the rest of Nigeria.

Editorial

Along with coining the wrong name for Islamic banking, there are some critical issues that have been left out of the debate to introduce this financial system to Nigeria. Instead of calling it Islamic banking, it should be called sharia banking since its guiding principle is sharia law. Had it been initially called sharia banking, Nigerians would have quickly seen various similarities between this new Hausa campaign for sharia banking and their passionate advocacy for sharia law prior to its introduction over a decade ago.

You should recall, Hausa leaders told Nigerians that sharia law represented no harm and that Muslims would live in peace with their neighbors after its introduction. Once introduced, however, sharia law was everything but harmless. Using sharia, Northerners reinvigorated their domination agenda, giving jihadist the license to ethnically deplete Middle Belters in order to tip the balance of power and usher perpetual Hausa rule in Nigeria.

Ten years later, the legacy of sharia continues to rig havoc, with Boko Haram bombing Nigerian cities for the purpose of expanding the law. Also, Hausa jihadists continue to attack the Middle Belt, murdering women and children in order to impose their political will.

With the above fact, Nigerians must ask themselves these pertinent questions: Why should anyone buy this new Hausa advocacy for sharia banking, since sharia law has yielded nothing but terror? What is their hidden agenda with sharia banking? Moreover, what would be the negative repercussions of sharia banking?

If Nigerians ask the above questions and carefully reconcile this new Hausa advocacy against their campaign for Islamic law over a decade ago, they would have no choice but to evoke this old saying: Fool me twice, I am a fool. Furthermore, Nigerian newspapers would be warning about these potential repercussions.

Hausas would, for the most part, move private and state funds to sharia banks, creating a segregated financial environment in the North and Middle Belt.

Once the funds are segregated, jihadists would be at liberty to attack and disrupt secular banking, since it would have no impact on their daily financial interactions.

Hausa leaders would use the institution to commingle state with private funds for the sole purpose of enhancing their domination agenda.

While commingling state and private funds, Hausa will also channel funds to jihadist, expanding their ethnic depletion campaign in the North and Middle Belt.

Overall, sharia banking would continue to divide Nigerians further setting the nation in course of breakup.