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Tragic Death Of Sarkin Gobir Reopens Historical Tensions
The recent killing of Sarkin Gobir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, by armed bandits, predominantly identified as Fulanis, has reignited deep-seated historical rivalries stemming from the conquest of the seven Hausa States.
The tragic news surfaced on Wednesday afternoon, revealing that the respected District head had been murdered after being held captive for over a month.
In a distressing viral video released shortly before his death, Sarkin Gobir pleaded for government intervention to secure his release from a hidden location in the forest.
The video depicted him as a victim of brutal treatment by his captors, who appeared to be Fulanis, and included a chilling ultimatum demanding a ransom payment within a day or face execution.
Tragically, it was reported at noon on Wednesday that the Sarkin Gobir had been killed, a fact confirmed by his son, Alhaji Shu’aibu Gwanda Gobir.
Shu’aibu confirmed the incident during an interview with DW Radio.
Shu’aibu, who also holds the traditional title of ‘Magajin Garin Gobir’ (Mayor of Gobir Municipal), disclosed that the bandits had initially requested a ransom of N60 million for his father’s release.
Although the funds were raised just two days prior to the news of his death, the family did not have the opportunity to deliver the ransom.
Gobir, historically known as a city-state in modern-day Nigeria, was founded by the Hausa people in the 11th century and remained under their rule for nearly 700 years.
It is located in the northern part of the ancient Hausaland, encompassing parts of what is now Sokoto State in Nigeria and the southern Niger Republic.
The Gobirawa (Gobir people), as the inhabitants are known, have a rich cultural heritage rooted in Hausa traditions.
Among these is a humorous cultural reference where the Gobirawa regard the Yoruba people as their ‘cousins,’ stemming from a belief in a shared ancestry linked to the daughter of Bawa Jan Gwarzo.
The Fulani jihadist Usman dan Fodio’s invasion of Gobir, led by ruler Yunfa, marked a significant turning point in the region’s history, resulting in the transition of the seven Hausa States to the emirate system, thereby altering the traditional leadership structure.
Yunfa, who ruled from 1801 to 1808, is particularly noted for his contentious relationship with the Islamic reformer Shaikh Usman dan Fodio whose war started in 1804.
The seven principal Hausa states, known as Hausa Bakwai (Biram, Daura, Gobir, Kano, Katsina, Rano, and Zaria), along with their satellite states, were historically independent entities with no central authority, often lacking cohesion in military endeavors.
The legendary narrative of Bayajidda, a prince from Baghdad, is said to have led to the founding of these states, with each of his seven sons establishing their own kingdoms.
Tensions between the Hausa and Fulani have persisted, intensifying since President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration began in 2015.
This rivalry has given rise to various groups, such as Yan Sakai and Fulani youth associations, formed as protective factions within their respective communities.
The escalating conflict has also fostered a culture of banditry, with kidnapping emerging as a prevalent method for raising funds.
In light of these events, a Hausa woman has recently taken to social media, urging her fellow kinsmen to unite against the perceived encroachment by Fulani ideology.
She emphasised the need for solidarity among the Hausa people, regardless of their religious affiliations, to confront the violence affecting their villages.
The tragic death of Sarkin Gobir has, as reported by Elanza News, reopened historical wounds, highlighting the ongoing struggles and complexities of the region’s socio-political landscape.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Less than 24 hours after former Kaduna Central Senatorial District lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, openly declared support for Governor Uba Sani’s re-election bid, former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Sources reveal that the recent return of prominent politicians such as Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Senator Danjuma Laah, former Governor Ramalan Yero, and others to the APC has unsettled El-Rufai.
Senator Shehu Sani, in his declaration, stated that his main political objective for 2027 is to ensure Governor Uba Sani’s re-election.
Unwilling to face the emerging political dynamics, El-Rufai announced his resignation from APC in a Facebook post, stating:
“Today, 10th March 2025, I have submitted my resignation letter to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Before this decision, I consulted extensively with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists across the country about the future. I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the platform for our future political engagements.
“As a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us. Together, we can unify under a strong democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections and by-elections before 2027, by the grace of God.
“I, therefore, call on all our supporters and those concerned about Nigeria’s future to join us in SDP as we work towards making Nigeria a beacon of hope for Africa and the Black race.”
In reaction to El-Rufai’s defection, Shehu Sani dismissed the move, saying it would have little impact.
“Leaving APC for SDP makes no difference for someone with no political relevance anymore. But one thing is certain—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani will be re-elected
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Former governor of Sokoto State and now Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal while flagging off distribution of ramadan fast assistance to the people of the state, Monday reassured that, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will Reclaim their mandate come 2027.
Tambuwal, who divulged that the Ramadan gesture is targeted at 30,000 households in the state, added, “‘it is aside the thousands of other foodstuff and multiple assistance given by all lawmakers elected under the platform of the PDP in the state”.
According to him, the PDP lawmakers both at he state and federal levels are equally flagging off the distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other grains to all youth and women led organizations to help compliment their ease of fasting.
“”As you aware, many people have lost their lives and they are no more with us. It is by His grace that we are alive and here observing another Ramadan and witnessing the distribution of foodstuff to our people once again.
“We continue to pray to Allahi to grant us continued good health and longevity, for us to witness many more of this blessed month.l of Ramadan. I also would like to take disadvantage of this opportunity to thank our chairman and the leaders of our party in the state for their continued hard work in organizing the party, in mobilizing the people and making sure that our party remain strong and united in Sokoto
“”We are one big united family. And we shall continue to work together towards reclaiming what has been taken away from us. As you know, in the last elections, our mandate was forcefully stolen. But now, we are restrategizing and organizing.
“”And by the grace of Allah, what has been taken away, will be given back to us by come 2027″”. Tambuwal assured.
Speaking earlier, Sokoto state PDP chairman, Comrade Bello Goronyo expressed heartfelt appreciation to all members of the PDP in Sokoto for keeping hope alive and faith with the party, saying the PDP is the only party that truly meant well for the generality of Nigerians.
This according to him could be proven by the current hardship been experienced by Nigerians which where hitherto not the case when the PDP held sway.
Comrade Goronyo therefore appealed to the people of the state and Nigerians to liberate themselves from the grip of APC’s mis- governance come 2027.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on Monday that the United States was cancelling 83 per cent of programmes at the US Agency for International Development.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid to give his administration time to assess overseas spending, with an eye to gutting programs not aligned with his “America First” agenda.
“After a six-week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programmes at USAID,” Rubio said on social media platform X.
“The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States,” he added.
USAID distributes US humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.
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The State Department, which oversees USAID, announced on February 26 its intention to cut 92 per cent of the agency’s program funding, identifying 5,800 grants to be eliminated.
Rubio on Monday notably thanked the Department of Government Efficiency, which billionaire Elon Musk is leading in a drive to slash costs and cut jobs across government departments.
Trump and his allies have argued that foreign assistance is wasteful and does not serve US interests.
But aid groups argue much of the assistance supports US interests by promoting stability and health overseas, and warn that cutting aid threatens the lives of vulnerable people.
AFP