Sufyan Lawal Kabo (Sefjamil)
sefjamil3@gmail.com
As 2027 approaches, one disturbing trend has continued to gain ground across social media. Instead of engaging in healthy political debates, some individuals have chosen the path of insults and ridicule against some of the most respected figures in Northern Nigerian history.
In recent months, many northerners have watched with concern as derogatory comments and disrespectful remarks have been directed at great historical personalities such as Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa by supporter of the NDC presidential and vice Presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Whether one agrees with every aspect of their legacies or not, these men occupy important places in our history and deserve to be discussed with facts, not insults.
Political competition should never become a licence to abuse those who can no longer defend themselves. Nations that progress are those that preserve respect for their history, even when opinions differ. The United States still honours George Washington. India still respects Mahatma Gandhi. South Africa still reveres Nelson Mandela. Their political opponents may disagree with them, but they do not build political popularity by insulting their memories. Many of the posts and comments gathered sound so irritating and disturbing as some of them even bear blasphemous tone as follows:
“Even Shehu Usman Danfodiyo cannot stop me from voting Obi and Kwankwaso”
“I will still vote Peter Obi even if he was the one who slew Sardauna. Sardauna is evil!” Said a young Kwankwasiyya in a post by Capt P’cross Pecto
“Obi has no stealing records, but Sir Ahmadu Bello was once imprisoned for theft.”
What worries many northerners is not merely the existence of these offensive comments, but the growing silence surrounding them. When supporters Obi and Kwankwaso (mainly youth from southeastern Nigeria and Kwankwasiyya supporter in Kano and other places) repeatedly attack respected historical figures and no strong condemnation comes from influential voices within that movement such as Obi and Kwankwaso, questions naturally arise. Such silence, we will interpret it as encouragement, or indifference.
Both Kwankwaso and Obi should understand that encouraging, tolerating, or remaining silent over insults against revered Northern heroes will not add value to their political mission. Rather, it could weaken their chances in Northern Nigeria, where figures such as Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and other pioneers are deeply respected.
These leaders are remembered for defending Northern interests, promoting education, agriculture, and development, and helping secure the region’s political and economic advancement. For many Northerners, attacks on such figures are seen not only as insults to individuals but also to the region’s history, values, and collective legacy.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso should recognize that many of the opportunities and institutions enjoyed by today’s leaders were built upon the foundations laid by Northern heroes such as Sardauna Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Their investments in education, governance, and regional development helped create the environment that enabled democratic participation, political growth, and the opportunities through which leaders like Kwankwaso rose to prominence.
Both Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso should understand that Northerners do not hate the Igbo people or despise Kwankwaso. Rather, many are cautious for the following reasons:
~ Peter Obi’s perceived support for IPOB, a proscribed separatist group linked to violence, attacks on security agencies, destruction of public property, enforcement of sit at home orders, and threats to Nigeria’s unity. Many Northerners view any association with such a group as a serious national security concern.
~ Obi’s campaign style, particularly his strong engagement with churches and Christian communities, and his popular slogan calling on church members to “unite and take back their country”, a slogan Muslims believe he meant that Christians should take back Nigerian leadership from Muslims (remember Buhari, a Muslim was in power then) raised concerns among those who believe national politics should rise above religious and ethnic considerations. His Kano visit, which was largely focused on Sabon Gari, a Christian dominated area, further reinforced these concerns for many Northerners.
~ Historical memories of the 1966 coup, the killings of Northern leaders such as Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and several others including leaders from the South West and the Biafra war. It was the Nigerian government that fought the war, but till date, the Southeasterners regard the north as their enemies, lamenting this overtime. As a result, many Northerners remain sensitive to issues they believe could threaten their region and national unity.
For many Northerners, these concerns are not driven by ethnic hatred, but by issues of security, trust, history, and the preservation of Nigeria’s unity.
Obi and Kwankwaso must understand that the North holds deep respect for its heroes. Sir Ahmadu Bello championed education and regional development. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa played a leading role in Nigeria’s independence and nation building. Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo remains one of the most influential religious and intellectual figures in West African history. These are not ordinary names. They are symbols of a people’s heritage, sacrifice, and identity.
Political campaigns should focus on policies, ideas, competence, security, education, agriculture, economic development, and national unity. They should not be reduced to attacks on historical figures whose contributions helped shape the very Nigeria we all share today.
I therefore call on political leaders across all divides to publicly discourage insulting language against historical leaders, whether from the North, East, or West. Respect must not be selective. Every region of Nigeria has heroes who deserve dignity.
I also call upon respected personalities and institutions and organizations such as:
~ The Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III
~ Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)
~ Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI)
~ Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
~ Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN)
~ National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO)
~ Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN)
~ All Northern traditional rulers
~ All Islamic scholars
~ Friday mosque leaders
~ Northern youth groups
~ Muslim youth groups etc.
to come and speak out against the growing insults of our Northern heroes and culture of political abuse and historical disrespect.
If this trend is allowed to continue unchecked, it could deepen divisions and create unnecessary tensions ahead of the 2027 elections. No political ambition is worth sacrificing peace, mutual respect, and national cohesion.
Let us disagree politically. Let us campaign vigorously. Let us debate passionately. But let us never descend into insulting those whose names remain part of the history and identity of millions of Nigerians.
History deserves fairness. Shehu Usmanu Ɗanfodiyo, Sir Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna of Sokoto), Tafawa Ɓalewa and every Northern hero dead or alive deserve respect.
Sufyan writes from Abuja