Islam, Leadership and Security in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges

Cite this article as: Abdullahi J. A. & Kaura A. M. (2024). Islam, Leadership and Security in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges. Proceedings of International Conference on Rethinking Security through the lens of Humanities for Sustainable National Development Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Pp. 18-25.

ISLAM, LEADERSHIP AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

By

Ja'afar Agaji Abdullahi, Ph.D
Department of Islamic Studies
Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State-Nigeria

And

Ayuba Muhammad Kaura, Ph.D
Department of Islamic Studies
Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State-Nigeria

Abstract: Nigeria as a nation is not immune to the world-wide issue or problem of insecurity, which affects all communities, societies and or countries. Nigeria is constantly grappled with security issues and challenges, brought by the insurgency (of Boko Haram), violent herdsmen, Igbo People of Biafra (IPOB) and banditry activities. Due to the high frequency of security issues and challenges, the nation therefore has been ranked among the worst places to live in. Furtherance to the above, insecurity continues to be the major concern in which bad leadership and governance are the causative agents. This paper therefore attempts to address the security challenges through the examination of some factors that stand as barriers to the realization of the functional tools of tackling the insecurity in Nigeria, using Islamic point of view. Issues addressed include: leadership qualities and responsibilities of leaders such as; principle of consultation, welfare of the state treasury, prevention of evil(s), equal treatment and social justice, protection of honour, lives and properties. Challenges for effective security in Nigeria through the issues raised will Insha-Allah be addressed.

Keywords: Islam, Leadership, Security, Issues, Challenges.

Introduction

Mankind has indeed been endowed with the intellect and senses. However, these are very weak and of limited applications. They sometimes look but cannot see; listen but cannot hear; and sometimes learn only to forget. Mankind is therefore, incapable of leading their lives all by themselves (Q 2:187).

For the natural fact that mankind barely finds his way in the labyrinth of life without a divine guidance, he/she therefore, only knows how they have been created; and for what purpose they exist from a divine guidance. More so, any society that is devoid of this divine guidance or deliberately makes its application limited, the people in such society will naturally be under the influence of their own souls, which have been created to urge them to evil practices. Subsequent tyranny, oppression and injustice would surround the leadership as well as followership of such society. As a result, insecurity would dominate their socio-economic, political and even religious lives.

The Glorious Qur'an is the foundation upon which the Islamic multifaceted jurisprudence is built. Founded in the premise that human beings, at their individual levels, are incapable of guiding themselves in the conduct of life activities, it is ideal therefore, to uphold to the complete teachings of Islam, which emanate only from the Glorious Qur'an as its primary source and divine authority. Its practice should as well conjoin with the teachings and practices of the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad S.A.W).

Conceptual Definition of Terms

In doing justice to this topic, there is need to examine the different concepts that make up the title of this paper to save us from deviating from the track. This is because concepts acquire different meanings when used in different context (Makau, 2012). The concepts are: leadership, Islam, security, issues and challenges.

Leader:

According to Advanced Learner Dictionary (2000:72) means “a person who leads a group or people, especially the head of country, an organization, etc…” It may also mean a person or thing that is best, or in first place, in a race of business, etc. Leadership on the other hand has been defined by the same dictionary as: “the state or position of being a leader, the ability to be a leader or the qualities a good leader should have”. In this paper, a leader means a person who, based on his moral, physical and spiritual qualities, was nominated, or pointed or elected to lead a country, or an organization.

Islam:

Islam derived its name from the root word “Silm”, which literally means ‘submission, surrender, calmness or a state of being at peace’ (Qur’an 19 vs 62). Further to this, Islam is described as the total submission, surrendering or being at calm with the will of the Almighty Creator (Allah S.W.T). It is also a complete way of life, that is, a situation whereby one is at peace and in total submission to the dictates and tenets of their Creator.

Nasr (2008) observed that “Sometimes, the word Islam has distinct connotations in its various occurrences in the Qur’an. In some verses, there is stress on the quality of Islam as an internal conviction”. Allah (S.W.T) says in the Qur’an: “Whomsoever God desires to guide, He opens his heart to Islam” (Q6:125).

Therefore, Islam has essentially been defined as the perfect way of life in total submission, obedience and adherence to the dictates, teachings and wills of Almighty Allah, the Supreme. It denotes that whoever qualifies to be described as an adherent of Islam is constantly in peace or encapsulated with utmost serenity.

Security

Security according to Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary (2002) is to have confidence about yourself for your relationship with other people or to be safe or protected. However, the concept here is used to denote a situation where honour, life, property, faith and other rights are fully protected by the constituted authority.

The other two concepts in the title are ‘issues’ and ‘challenges’. Issue in the Advanced Learners’ English Dictionary (2000:73) connotes important topic that people are discussing or arguing about; a key/sensitive/controversial issues. But the context in which it is used in this paper refers to important issues surrounding the security situation in order to enhance unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians. While challenges according to Advanced Learners’ English Dictionary (2000:77) means a new or difficult task that tests somebody’s ability and skills. In this context however, it is used to denote what authority should consider doing to ameliorate shortcoming identified in the security problem of Nigeria (Makau, 2012 p.4).

An Overview of Security Problem in Nigeria

Eliagwu (2007) holds the view that security challenge in Nigeria is as old as the country itself. It goes through all republics and military administrations up till today. He also opined that security challenges often resulted to conflict which subsequently leads to violence, crisis or riots that cut- across all regions, states, local government areas and communities of Nigeria, thereby extending to all spheres of the nation’s existence, i.e. political, economic, social, cultural and educational existence. Eliagwu had, on inventory of 140 social unrests between May 1980 and June, 2005, said that all the security challenges emanated from lack of good governance.

Shaaba (2010 p:14) explains that before colonial administrations, there were inter-and intra-ethnic crises in the then existing kingdoms. There were disturbances among communities like Ife and Madukeke, Ipoti and Ilore, Agulari and Amukari and the incessant wars in Yoruba area of Nigeria.

It was as a result of enforcing hard labour on the male citizens of Aba during the colonial masters that the riot was organized by Aba women in solidarity for their husbands and fathers.. Historians referred to this occasion as Aji (Aba Women Riot of 1929).

After the colonial leadership came, the first republic leaders who were elected democratically witnessed a number of conflicts that came up. For instance, Action group critics of 1962 in western region, meditative disturbance of Nok and Borno in 1980, Zangon-Kataf crisis of 1992, the Shagamu crisis in 1999, Mile (12)- Ajegunle in 1999/2000, Kaduna Shariah riot of 2000, Taraba State in 2001, Jos crisis in 2009 to date, Niger Delta crisis which has always been in various degrees of intensity till today, the post-election riots of 2011, fuel subsidy withdrawal and the disturbances of Boko Haram in 2012 are some of the crisis experienced by Nigerians. After each of the afore-mentioned crisis, police and military personnel were being stationed on the roads and selected areas without caring to make search for the root causes of the problem and address the fundamental matters required to resolve crisis (Shaaba 2010 p.14).

Issues on Leadership and Security Challenges: -

From Islamic view point, sovereignty belongs to Allah (the Most High) and command rests with none but Allah alone. Mankind must, therefore, follow the will of Allah and put Islamic teachings into practice. However, Allah, in His mercy and perfect wisdom, gives His representation to mankind through Adam (A.S) as the vicegerent of Allah on earth. This is mentioned in Q2:30-35. More so, in the Qur'an (4:165), Allah decreed that people as a whole are to be His vicegerents on the surface of the earth. Therefore, for the leadership of a sovereign state or nation, the representatives of Allah are to exercise His sovereignty collectively not by one man dictatorial system. The two verses mentioned above are the bases of Islamic monocracy (Shafif, 1964 p80).

What are the issues that militate against security in the present leadership set up by Nigerian democracy? To what extent are the leaders addressing these issues? Such issues are too numerous, therefore, some selected cases would be examined in due course.

Issues on Confidence of the Subjects in their Leaders

In early Islamic leadership, the will of the then leaders, particularly the prophet's companions and the will of the tribal heads were considered to be sufficient expression of the will of their subjects. In other words, subjects accepted their leaders and have trust and confidence in them, because they happened to be on leadership by merit through the votes and allegiance of their subjects. Today, the position of leaders is totally different; and for that reason, new methods of ascertaining the will of the people have to be followed.

Issues on Principle of Consultation

Islam obliged leaders of central, state and local governments in taking decisions on matters of consultation with their subjects, especially those who have moral and spiritual excellence. This is for the fact that, Allah (The Most High) ordered the Prophet (S.A.W) to take counsel with other. He says,

And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. Had you (Muhammad, S.A.W) to be so severe and harsh-heated, they would have broken away from about you. So, pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) forgiveness for them, and consult them in the affairs. Then, when you have taken a decision put your trust in Allah, certainly Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. (Q3:159).

The above verse shows that a leader should treat his subjects gently; not to be harsh-hearted; he should forgive faults and consult them on the affairs of the state. The early caliphs always consulted those who were competent to give pieces of advice - (Ahlur-Ra'yi) as mentioned in Ibn Kathir (2000). By so doing, they gave them perfect freedom of speech. For instance, in his inaugural speech before a consultative council, the first caliph Abubakar said;

I have been made a ruler over you though I am not the best of you. Help me if I go rightly; and correct me if l go wrongly. Beware, when a nation gives up its endeavors in the way of Allah, He without exception brings its decline, and when it allows evil to prevail in it, He undoubtedly brings misery to it. Obey me as long as I obey Allah and the Prophet. If I don't obey them, you owe me no obedience (At-Tabari).

Nigeria Leadership has not only neglected this important issue but has encouraged and financed evil practice to achieve their political objectives. Consequently, the subjects become difficult to control by the same leaders, thereby, making criminal offences rampart in the society.

The Challenges

Having discussed some issues related to religion, leadership and security challenges in Nigeria, one would have feasible attempt to address challenges that would hopefully open a way out of the security problems in the present democratic dispensation. The challenges will be examined in the areas of confidence of the subjects in their leaders, consultation, welfare, state treasury appointments, security and commending good and forbidding evil. The challenges explained below are considered from Islamic points of view to be within the power of the political leaders to address.

Confidence of the Subjects in the Leaders

Yusuf (2010:256) holds the view that many leaders in Nigeria do not recognize the human dignity of others. They deny both the benefits and the guarantees of their subjects’ dignity. Rather, the pre-occupation of most Nigerian political elites is to acquire power by all means, remain in power by all means, own and drive the best and expensive cars, or own expensive houses and leaving the poor in abject poverty. As a result, the subjects lose confidence in their leaders and have no respect for them. In view of this, and for the leaders to willingly have the confidence and respect of their subjects, government should look into the following:

1. People should be allowed to vote a people of their choice, and each vote cast should be honored and respected.
2. Leaders should look at themselves as servants of their subjects and lead them with full trust and transparency.
3. Political leaders should demonstrate the spirit of acceptance of defeat and victory. This is for the fact that both defeat and victory are from Allah (The Most High).

Challenges of Consultation

All evidences prove that Nigerian leaders are so far from their subjects and so well imprisoned by sycophants that even some of their cabinet members and the senior officials find it difficult to have access to them, not to talk of the weak and neglected segment (women, children and the poor citizens). Abdullahi of Gwandu holds that the worst calamity is to have leaders that are inaccessible to the citizens as demonstrated in Nigeria (Aliyu, 1983). From the view of this scholar, the constituted authority should make sure that:

1. They become accessible to their subjects in order to hear their complaints and seek for their advice where necessary.
2. Leaders should always make consultation with their subjects on matters related to the affairs of the state. They should therefore avoid passing decision alone.
3. Special advisers of the governors, local government chairmen and president should be appointed on merit, not on political inclination bases.

Challenges of Welfare

We cannot dispute the fact that Nigerians today lack attention of the leaders. The economy of the nation has been dominated by the few at the expense of great majority. As a result, Nigerians are suffering from lack of water, food, light, health services, and adequate institution of learning and psychological needs of human being. Government should address these challenges by providing;

1. Adequate fund, teaching facilities and qualified teachers in public schools to compete or even excel the private schools.
2. Health facilities that can cover the need of Nigerians so as to reduce the current sudden deaths and common diseases spreading in the country.
3. Sufficient water supply, light and construction of roads should be a priority of a memorable Government.
4. Youth with working opportunities to reduce idleness in the society.

Challenges of Treasury

Inequality among Nigerians has been identified as one of the most important social conflicts in the society. Observation has shown that uneven distribution of resources, and development of individuals or states can result to crisis and subsequent interpersonal migration, under productivity as well as underdevelopment which tend to erode people's loyalty to the government, and socio-political leaders in the country (Kwajefa 2010.) Leaders today legalize corruption and embezzlements; hence, they do personalize the content of the public treasury. This has resulted into the birth of a barely controllable poverty, hunger, joblessness, poor education and discrimination in the society. These social vices are strong weapons of mass destructions as we are currently experiencing in Nigeria. In line with this, Government should take a drastic measure in ensuring that:

1. Economic resources are equally shared and benefited by all living Nigerians without discrimination.
2. Public treasury should be treated as a trust that will be accounted for here and in the Hereafter.
3. The law of asset declaration should be fully enforced by all levels of government, including civil servants.

Challenges of Appointments

It has been rationally observed that at the heart of most violent conflicts in Nigeria lies political corruption and lack of transparency in the use of billions of Naira received from oil and gas annually. This political corruption results from the appointment of other political office holders which today is based on kinship, tribalism regionalism and host of all –isms.

This newly introduced anti-Islamic system led to a political crisis in which political actions are often dominated by self-interest and of course, money. Based on the above reflection, those in authority need to base their appointments on the following:

1. Appointment should be based on educational and moral qualities of a person, not on his financial contribution to political party.
2. Leadership should not be separated from religious guidance. The fuse of leadership and religious guidance always helps in facilitating transparency in leadership. Islamically, the leadership of a corrupt person is unlawful.
3. Government should desist from politicizing ethics and religious diversities. Politicizing issues of national interest may only front-line violence and corruption in the land.

Challenges of Security

Practically, Nigeria has for a long time been in security problems, ranging from tribal, regional, religious, social, political and economic crisis. Nigerians are presently not safe in their homes; not at offices, not on their roads, not during the day and not at night hours. Time, lives, properties and honour of Nigerians are subjected to destructions at any time.

The former president of Nigeria, Chief Aremu, Olusegun Obasanjo, on the 22^nd of May, 2012 at Jigawa State said: "Good governance is where security for lives and properties of citizens are provided" (Eliagwu, 2007). The government at all levels must ensure that;

1. Every Nigerian lives in obedience with the law regardless of his political, social or economic status.
2. Whoever tempers with the lives, honour or property of another should be judged according to the laws of his religion.

Challenges of Amru-Bil Ma'ruf

In Islamic political system, the subjects (followers) must obey their rulers whether they like the leader or not.

Therefore, it is the primary duty of a leader to command his subjects on the doing of good and discourage them from all evils. The ruled must obey the commands of the leader unless they are asked to do what is wrong. Allah (The Most High) commands that; "O you who believe! Obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you'. (Q04:59).

Explaining this verse, the Messenger of Allah was reported to have said; "Hear and obey even though a Negro is appointed to rule over you" (Bukhari, No. 727). Likewise one day, Umar (the second caliph) said in a speech, “No ruler holds as high position as to have the power to command obedience in defiance of Allah". (Abų Yusuf, p.117). In line with the above facts, the constituted authority needs to;

1. Be doing well and command the doing of goodness, as well as checking all evil practices and their tendencies.
2. Discard commanding their subjects to do something contrary to the ethics of their religious beliefs.
3. Fault language should not be used to label those who refuse to obey in defiance of their Creator - Allah.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Islamic political system emphasizes that the leaders should not make themselves masters over their subjects, dominating and devising in their properties. Rather, they should fear Allah in dealing with their subjects and under no circumstances should they fear people in protecting the law of Allah. According to Al-Tabari, Umar Bin Al-Khatab (the second caliph) gave instructions to his appointed Governors in these words:

I have appointed you a governor over the followers of Muhammad (S.A.W) not to make you masters of their persons and properties, but to lead them to establish prayer, dispose of their affairs with justice and disburse their right among them with equity (Al-Tabari).

From the above facts, we understand that, the consolidation of democracy and even the survival of the Nigerian state have come to depend on the ability of the central government to manage these centrifugal pressures. Root causes have been allowed to persist, in order to preserve democracy. These root causes now need to be addressed or considered and a wide-range of responses considered too. Failure to resolve basic issues raised and challenges relating to leadership in Nigeria will allow the current cycle of violent conflict to persist.

Recommendations

Having covered the scope of this paper, one would like to forward the following recommendations:

1. Muslim leaders should allow the ethics of their religion to guide them and where they are found wanting, they should be punished with the laws of their religious belief.
2. The law of the nation should be binding on all individuals. Therefore, no section of the law should protect those in constituted authorities.
3. Leaders should be appointed or elected based on their educational, moral, religious, economic or social strength: no sentiments.

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