Artistic impression of Alameen Ben Mohammed El Kanemy, 1776–1837
By Hon. Gaddafi M. Asemanya Jnr.
In 1800.A.D, a man, by the name of Usumanu Dan Fodio, ar Fulani, was banished from Kanuri Land, by the El Kanemi(King) of Kanuri, (then, Bornu Kanem, now, Bornu) because, the El Kanemi, did not understand his brand of Islam. That was in 1800.A.D.
He found refuge in today’s Sokoto., then, known as Gobir. In Sokoto, he won the affection of the King, who employed him, to teach his Children, Arabic.
By 1804, he murdered the King.He declared himself a Mujadadi(an Islamic Reformer). He did not stop there, he proclaimed himself a Caliph. Others, of his kinsmen, declared themselves as his followers/lieutenants, deriving their source of Authority from him. Hausa Land was/still on fire. The Jukuns resisted him. The Tivs resisted him. The Idomas,the same. Etc.
In 1903,the British defeated Caliph Attahiru, forced on Sokoto, the title of Sultan. Today, the Sultanate of Sokoto, holds a dual Office, viz: an Imperial office, a Spiritual office. In the Imperial sphere, the Sultan is the first,among equals, of Northern Nigeria Kings—the El Kanemi of the Kanuri (Bornu)has not accepted that. In the Spiritual sphere, the Sultan is the Leader of all Muslim in Nigeria —-El Zazakky has not accepted that.
Today, in Nigeria, the Fulani is on a rampage, murdering, raping, confiscating, claiming that he owns Nigeria. Do we fold our HANDS on the excuse that the “journey or trip is short”.No. We have to resist. There has to be a balance of TERROR, for PEACE to reign. The trip is short, as a paradigm of action, for all situations, NO. Had the Hausa Kings, closed FLANKS and said no, to Usumanu Dan Fodio, Hausa Land would have been different TODAY.
As LAWYERS, we should resist the enemies of the open SOCIETY, in whatever guise. No Kanuri, accept the Fulani, as his Leader. America, has not folded it’s hands, for TERROR to dominate the World. The price of FREEDOM(Liberty)is eternal vigjllance.
