By Tony Ademiluyi
The 1804 Jihad spearheaded by Usman Dan Fodio made the Fulani tribe the overlords of the Hausas. Dan Fodio departed from the norm in imposing Fulfulde as the new language of the court. Instead he did the unthinkable by ensuring an adoption of the Hausa language as the lingua franca of the conquered territory. This linguistic affinity spread throughout the north which ensured that they spoke with one voice and were united despite their tribal differences.
The British found this useful in
their policy of indirect rule which made the northerners have a general apathy
towards nationalistic activities that was largely a southern affair. As a
reward, the departing colonialists ensured that they had the majority seats in
the House of Representatives which was the more powerful of the bicameral
legislature at the time as the senate was ceremonial. This action by the
British has haunted us more than sixty years after the Union Jack was lowered.
At the moment, the north has 19 governors while the south has 17 and far more
seats in the National Assembly than the south which has ensured that they are
always in charge no matter who sits in Aso Rock.
