Ad Code

Politicization of Religion in Nigeria: A Threat to National Unity and Social Integration in Kaduna, C. 1999-2011

Cite this article as: Bello F. D. (2024). Politicization of Religion in Nigeria: A Threat to National Unity and Social Integration in Kaduna, C. 1999-2011. Proceedings of International Conference on Rethinking Security through the lens of Humanities for Sustainable National Development Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Pp. 72-90.

POLITICIZATION OF RELIGION IN NIGERIA: A THREAT TO NATIONAL UNITY AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN KADUNA, C. 1999-2011

By

Fatimah Dembo Bello, PhD

Arewa House, Centre for Historical Research & Documentation
Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna.

Abstract: Human community is characterized by plurality in terms of tribes, ethnicities and religions. In this regard, Kaduna metropolis grew steadily from a garrison town in the colonial period, to a colonial capital and then to an economic and an industrial town in the post-colonial period. As a result of this and in addition to its centrality in location, Kaduna became cosmopolitan in its outlook. Thus, despite their diverse backgrounds, the people co-existed harmoniously and embraced one another which brought about the socio-economic development of the area. However, with the return of democracy in 1999, the harmonious co-existence and the confidence it has bestowed on the inhabitants of Kaduna was shattered especially by the elites who politicize religion for their own selfish interests and other material gains. Therefore, this paper argues that, the politicization of religion has threatened unity, social and cultural integration in Nigeria with particular reference to Kaduna metropolis and the State as a whole. What prompted all these? Who are the actors and factors at play in the politicization of religion in Kaduna? What are the possible measures to be taken especially by religious and traditional leaders to combat this problem? Or are these leaders also guilty? What role can the masses play in their own ways to put a final stop to such a menace? All these are analyzed and supported by concrete and current examples with a view to suggesting possible ways of finding lasting solutions to this problem. The method adopted is multidisciplinary i. e. the study has drawn together the works of historians, geographers, political scientists, economists, sociologists as well as anthropologists in the form of written documents or records. Similarly, oral interviews played a vital role in the reconstruction of this research because the research is dealing with the contemporary period and because of this, the actors and factors that have shaped the events in question are so much around. This enables the researcher to interact with them and get first-hand information.

Keywords: National Unity, Nigeria, Politicization, Religion, Social Integration, Threat.

Introduction

Kaduna is considered to be a mini Nigeria by many intellectuals and policy makers in contemporary times, especially the class of the elites who originated from Northern and some parts of Southern Nigeria. It has also assumed the position of one of the most important megacities in Africa and a centre of socio-political and economic activities of the diverse people of Northern Nigeria and beyond. This became glaring from the 1960s through to the 1970s when it was made the Capital city and seat of power of the defunct Northern Region led by the late Premier Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto. Similarly, Kaduna has over the years become a rich centre of commerce especially with the establishment of textile industries, and some important markets like the Panteka and Kaduna Central markets. Added to this was the peaceful movement of commercial entrepreneurs from the South-Western and South-Eastern parts of the Nigerian area using the railway lines.[1] All these people co-existed harmoniously and lived in peace with one another irrespective of their diverse backgrounds.

Even with this cosmopolitanism, Kaduna to a larger extent especially in the pre-colonial and post-colonial periods up to the 1980s, was a town that everyone wanted to stay in. This was obvious even in the settlement pattern of the people where they (irrespective of socio-cultural backgrounds and or religious affiliations) lived in the same compound, sharing many things in common including eating from the same bowl together. Unfortunately, Kaduna metropolis and by extension, the State has over the past few decades (especially with the return of democratic rule in 1999), experienced the politicization of religion. his has led to the outbreak of series of incessant communal violent conflicts and crises that brought about population dislocation, high loss of human and material resources as well as the continuous search for common identity by the diverse people of the State. Thus, this paper is structured into six major sections viz: the first introduces the paper; the second historicizes the process of the establishment and growth of Kaduna; the third analyzes the place of Kaduna as a melting pot of immigrants; the fourth examines the factors for the politicization of religion in Kaduna metropolis; the fifth highlights the implication of this on unity and social integration of the people and finally, the conclusion pulls together the entire issues in the discourse.

Research Methodology

All historical reconstructions requires the use of a medium of reaching out to what, when, where, why and how events happened or how they are shaped to make history. Thus, the method adopted for this study is multidisciplinary i. e. the study has drawn together the works of historians, geographers, political scientists, economists, urban planners, sociologists as well as anthropologists, bearing in mind the perspective of historical research method of inquiry and investigation. However, these are broadly categorized into Primary and Secondary sources. Therefore, the primary sources comprises of archival materials such as colonial records which takes the forms of memos, minutes of meetings, official letters and correspondences, manuscripts, e. t. c. and oral information in the form of unstructured interviews with direct or indirect witnesses. The secondary sources consist of published and unpublished books, journals, theses, dissertations, newspapers, periodicals and online resources. As such, the National Archives Kaduna, Arewa House Archives and Library, History and Geography Departmental Libraries of Kaduna State University, Kashim Ibrahim Library, and the Northern History Research Scheme of A. B. U. Zaria, were utilized. Therefore, all information collected have been carefully perused, corroborated and subjected to thorough scrutiny and analysis.

Kaduna as a Colonial Capital, 1913-1917

On January 1st, 1900, the Northern Protectorate was created. Sir Frederick Lugard took over the administration of the area from the Royal Niger Company and was made the High Commissioner of the new Protectorate. However, one of Lugard’s major problems was the pacification and control of the most southerly emirates of the Sokoto Caliphate, particularly Ilorin and Nupe emirates. Another one was the extension of British domination over the other parts of the Caliphate and Borno.[2] o overcome these problems, Lugard thought of selecting some suitable sites, at a central position that would serve as a permanent garrison and administrative headquarters of the new protectorate. For that purpose, as early as May, 1900 Lugard set up a committee to search for the ideal headquarters. In his opinion, it was imperative that the site should be removed from the unhealthy valleys of the Niger and Benue, to which hitherto, Europeans had a number of reasons clung determinedly He also maintained that the site should be close to the political centre of the Hausa states.[3]

It was clear that between 1901 and 1906, the conquest of the northern emirates had virtually been completed and the Northern Protectorate was sub-divided into thirteen provinces. These were Bauchi, Borgu, Bornu, Ilorin, Kabba, Kano, Kontagora, Muri, Nassarawa, Nupe, Sokoto, Yola and Zaria.[4] And on 1st January 1912, the railway line from Lagos to Kano, the extension of which had begun in 1907 was officially opened. Similarly, the earlier decision to amalgamate the Southern and Northern Protectorates was confirmed in May, 1912 with the appointment of Lugard as Governor-General of Nigeria. This afforded him the opportunity to review the whole question of a capital for the Northern Protectorate as well as Nigeria.[5] It should be emphasized that the capital of the Northern Protectorate was variously moved from Lokoja (1899-1901), to Jebba (1901-1902), and then to Zungeru (1902-1916). However, for various reasons which were mainly economic and strategic considerations, they were abandoned. This is articulated by Rufa’i who asserts that these earlier capitals were neither emirates nor had real Native Authority in whose affairs emirs might meddle for the interest of the British.[6]

 Therefore, since Lugard’s concern then was to secure a strategic site on a river which could be easily reached from all directions, he was compelled to select Kaduna as the new capital for its accessibility by water and for strategic considerations. Thus, colonial administrative and economic interests necessitated the dispatch of several reconnaissance committees by Lugard to look for a possible site for the capital of the protectorate which was what led to the Howell R. Palmer Commission that came to Kaduna and discovered that Kaduna was the most suitable place and of strategic importance to effect the conquest of other northern emirates that were not yet conquered. That led to the establishment of Kaduna first, as headquarters of the West African Frontier Force and later, as the capital of the Northern Protectorate.[7] Thus, Lugard in order to convince the colonial government on the need to move the capital of the Northern Protectorate from Zungeru posits that:

The capital of the Northern Protectorate had been transferred in 1902 from Jebba, which was merely the former strategic camp of the W. A. F. F. during the crises of 1877 – 1898, to Zungeru. This was the most central place to which at that time it was possible by the water way of Kaduna and a light line of 35km to gain access. It has served its purposes well, but it is excessively hot, with much surface rock and is infested with mosquitoes. The temporary wooden houses urgently require replacement.[8]

Therefore, the search began for a new capital as a result of which Lord Lugard asked the Palmer committee to recommend a suitable site for:

(a)   The new capital of the Northern Protectorate; and

(b)   The capital of Nigeria.[9]

Therefore, as a result of the committee’s remarks, Kaduna was chosen as capital of the Northern Protectorate in 1913 and Lugard elucidated the following reasons for his choice of Kaduna:

I recommend therefore, that the capital should be moved to the point where the railway having reached the top of the Plateau at altitude of over 61 meters again across the River Kaduna at mile 572 from Lagos. The climate here is invigorating, the soil is good and adapted for vegetable and flower gardens, and the water supply pure and inexhaustible, the site is within 81km of the trade centre of Zaria.[10]

 

It is obvious therefore, that four attributes determined the choice of Kaduna as the seat of the Northern Protectorate: Firstly, it had water from the Kaduna River, an important tributary of the Niger; secondly, Kaduna was only slightly north of the centre of gravity of the emirates that made up the then Northern Protectorate which had by 1912, became fused with Nigeria as a whole and amalgamated in 1914; thirdly, Kaduna has been served by the newly constructed railway (in 1911) stretching from Lagos and Port Harcourt to Kano, therefore, Kaduna’s strategic advantage as envisaged by Lugard was then realized and finally, as an administrative and military centre, Kaduna was set up in the heart of Zazzau emirate which was isolated from existing towns and would therefore, be free from local political complications because as a ‘non-bourgeois’ society neutral of any emirate occupation, it became attractive.[11] Thus, the site then selected was where the Lagos-Kano railway crosses the Kaduna River. The climate of the area was equable and it was a remarkably central point for most of the Northern provinces.

The Place of Kaduna as a Melting Pot of Immigrants

From the foregoing, it is clear that the foundation of Kaduna metropolis was laid in 1913. Four years later, the city became the capital of the Northern Protectorate when Zungeru lost this position. Certainly over the years, the city of Kaduna was overshadowed by the enormous movement of people into the area which was precipitated by the stationing of the troops in 1913 and the subsequent foundation of the city. Therefore, with the completion of some military and civilian quarters by this period, the movement of people into the area began in earnest. Although individual migrations were known to have contributed most importantly to the growth of Kaduna, two important group migrations were also known to have boosted the demographic strength of the colonial capital. The first of these important group migrations also formed the basis for the establishment of the colonial capital. This involved the transfer of the West African Frontier Force (W. A. F. F) from Zungeru to Kaduna in 1913. In all, about 3,000 people that included both British and Africans were moved.[12] This movement in turn, gave rise to a number of individual migrations into the area. These latter set of immigrants basically ventured into the colonial capital to provide essential services and to supply food items to those other early immigrants that were predominantly engaged in full time colonial services. The following table provides details of the W. A. F. F men that were moved to the new capital from Zungeru.

Table 1: Ethnic Composition of Soldiers that were moved to Kaduna from Zungeru in 1913

Tribe                                       

No. of People

Hausa

1,171

Kanuri

397

Fulani

339

Zabarma

172

Dakarkari

147

Nupe

63

Yoruba

61

Shuwa Arab

34

Senegalese

16

Arewa

08

Others

432

Total                                                                    

2,840

Source: NAK, SNP/8/1/84/1914- Report of IG WAFF on the Northern Nigerian Regiment

The above table glaringly shows that although amongst the African populations of the W. A. F. F. there is no breakdown of the figure in terms of origins, it can however, be deduced from the knowledge of the locality from which the men were recruited that most of these soldier-immigrants were Hausa, others were from Jebba, Zungeru and Borgu. But there were also quite a number of Nupe and Yoruba in the force. In terms of sex, there is no doubt that most of the immigrants were males while in terms of religion, it is obvious too, that the force included Muslims, Christians and “others”. Lugard’s amalgamation report also states that these immigrants to Kaduna were to test the site.[13]  In 1917, the second wave of migration into Kaduna took place which involved the movement of workers, clerks, administrators, professionals, artisans and labourers’ as well as colonial firms and employees to the new seat of government in Kaduna.[14] The precise number of people involved in this second group migration into the Kaduna region is not known. However, it is worthy of note that this second wave of group migration also stimulated another wave of individual migrations into the area basically for the same reasons mentioned in the first. In all, migrants came largely from all parts of Nigeria and beyond. In terms of class composition, the migrants to Kaduna consisted of colonial soldiers and administrators who attracted both skilled and unskilled workers, artisans, traders and so on.[15] In summary, the movement of the colonial government to the newly established capital of the Northern Protectorate was a gradual process, beginning with the movement of troops of the W. A. F. F. in 1913 to the movement of administrators, workers, clerks, professionals and colonial firms between 1916 and 1917.   

In addition, the colonial government in 1926 gave wider publicity to the plan of encouraging migrants to settle in Kaduna from other northern provinces.[16] Kano province was one of the areas from where the colonial government attracted settlers to Kaduna. Although Kano city was a commercial centre, the colonialists maintained that it had a “surplus population” of unemployed, those that Bello and Oyedele referred to as “urban drifters” that needed to be resettled. The unemployed men were those most affected by the harsh economic policies and measures of the British such as trade regulations, currency and taxation, customs and tariffs which aimed at dislocating the thriving Kano economy centered on agricultural and industrial production and commerce. In short, the impact of colonialism on a city like Kano was to destroy the close rural-urban linkages related to manufacturing, to make the city into a centre for the collection of agricultural commodities produced in the rural areas for export overseas, as well as a centre for the distribution of imported manufactured goods.[17]

By the mid-1940s, Kaduna as an administrative and military base had about 2,500 soldiers and the army garrison consisted of the first and fifth Battalions of the Nigeria Regiment, the First Field Battery, the thirty-six Independent Squadron units of the West African Army Service, the Ordinance Engineers and segments of the Signals and Military Police.[18] It was also the centre of rail traffic in the north, with the largest junction, handling about 250 trains a week. No doubt, this facilitated the large influx of southerners, who made up more than half of the population of the town. A large percentage was also Igbos. The Northern Police Training College is located in Kaduna which gave in-service courses to about 500 NA police annually. Though the Government College was moved to Zaria, the former buildings housed the Trade Centre, Technical Institute and Technical Secondary School. The West African Institute of Trypanosomiasis Research is also located in the town.[19] In short, by 1956 Kaduna was a town of soldiers, railway workers, administrators, educational institutions and a lot of immigrants from the world over.

Similarly, by the mid-1950s, Kaduna has several industries located around Kakuri. These included the Textile Mills of which the foundation for the construction of the first one was laid in March, 1956 by the late Premier of the Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto and by October 1957, production in the factory had started. By 1961, the Kaduna Textile Mill had a labour force of 1, 650, who worked twenty-four hours a day and produced twenty million yards of cloth from locally grown cotton. By 1962, work has begun on a £1,000,000 textile factory to be run by NORTEX, a company incorporated by the NRDC (20 percent), a Sudanese financier (E. Seroussi) (53 percent), the Northern Nigeria Developments Ltd. (20 percent) and local businessmen (7 percent). The factory employed 5,000 people and used only locally grown cotton to produce dyed and bleached shirting and poplin. Five northerners were sent to Germany for advanced training in textiles.[20] By 1965, the Northern Regional Government opened another textile factory (Arewa Textiles Ltd.) worth about £1.6 million which is a joint venture between four companies including the NRDC (later renamed Northern Nigeria Development Corporation/NNDC), and the Northern Nigeria  Investments Ltd (NNIL). The Northern Regional Government stressed the policy of processing northern raw materials so that people were not dependent on imports, noted the plans for the training of school leavers so that they could take their proper places in the technician and managerial sections of the company, noted the contribution of the factory to employment, and stated that the distribution of the finished products would be done by indigenous businessmen.[21] Eight textile industries all together were established in Kaduna between this period and the 1970s.

In addition, by 1957, two breweries were also established in northern Nigeria one in Kaduna and the other in Kano. The Kaduna factory was opened by late Michael Audu Wazirin Shendam and the then Minister of Trade and Industries on behalf of the Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.[22] All these no doubt, attracted immigrants from all over the country and beyond. It should be emphasized at this juncture that, the major instrument for development during this period was the Northern Regional Development Board (NRDB - which later became Northern Regional Development Corporation, then the Northern Nigerian Development Corporation and finally, the New Nigeria Development Company). When later the Northern Nigerian Investment Limited (NNIL) was established, the NNDC went into more experimental ventures to support government policies. The NNIL concentrated more on viable economic/commercial ventures. In addition, the Bank of the North was set up in 1960 with the Northern Government holding most of the shares (although initially, the bank was mixed, public and private, with many Lebanese holding the private shares).[23] The table below shows the number of industries in Kaduna metropolis between 1950 and 1985.

Table 2: Number of Industries in Kaduna Metropolis 1950-1985

Year

Number of Industries

1950 – 1960

6

1961 – 1970

36

1971 – 1980

174

1981 – 1985

116

Total

332

Source: M. A. Isa, (2014), Collapse of Industries in Kaduna State

Also part of the symbolism of Kaduna with a northern value context was that, it was a meeting ground for all racial groups and world civilizations. This was seen in that Little Commonwealth of Nations - the Capital Territory School (now Kaduna Capital School) - a select school for children of all races. Established in 1957, the school was an example of “integrated education” breaking down racial and cultural barriers. Adebola admits that:

An experiment in international living has succeeded in Northern Nigeria. It may astounds racial bigots that both white and black children are living side by side, studying together and having the time of their lives at the ultra-modern £190,000 Kaduna Capital School. This is another shot in the arm and a fillip to the educational policy of Northern Nigeria. This region can at least show the world the way to racial harmony and mutual tolerance. The school is government sponsored and perhaps the first of its kind in the federation. It is indeed a miniature United Nations having representation from nearly all the continents of the universe. There you have Americans, Britons, Germans, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Australians, Moroccans and of course, Nigerians. Here you meet a happy collection of children who forget the colour of their skin - children with different cultures and entirely different backgrounds. The novel idea was entirely that of the Regional Government which felt that children from differing surroundings and backgrounds can be educated together regardless of colour or creed.”[24]

 

Further, Kaduna is well supplied with schools and colleges, including two Mission training institutions for girls. They include the Nigeria Police College, the Military College, a Nursing School, a Federal Training School, the only Technical Institute in Northern Nigeria. Another notable institution is the Kakuri Open Prison - the prison without bars. Also significant in the gradual process of Kaduna’s growth and cosmopolitanism were the ex-service men, soldiers who had retired from service and decided to make the city their home. Some of them did not even serve in Kaduna, but the city held considerable attraction to them as a place they could live the rest of their lives. This trend may have gone as far as the years of demobilization that followed the end of the WW I and the consequent lying off of soldiers. In essence, the relevance of these ex-service men to the history of Kaduna is that many of them were able to obtain and develop plots of land in parts of Kaduna metropolis that were mere bush or farming areas at the time.[25] In this way, they contributed not only to the expansion and development of the city but also to its cosmopolitanism. Obviously, these WW I and WW II veterans may have charted a course which many subsequent military retirees followed. Likewise, many of the officers and men who fought in the Nigerian Civil War that have retired have also built houses in Kaduna.[26] According to Oyedele,

Kaduna has since the colonial era ‘remains the main military city in the country where the success and failure of military coups often depended on the plotters’ degree of control over Kaduna’.[27]

Subsequently, Kaduna’s population grew rapidly from about 45,000 in 1952 to about
149,000 in 1963, which resulted in a four-fold increase within the eleven years.[28] Then, to an estimated 150,000 in 1965 and 500,000 in 1984[29] and in 1991, the population increased to about 971,070, which comprised of 515,373 males and 455,697 females.[30] Based on 2.7% growth rate, Akpu’s study estimated the population to have reached 1,448,129 with 768,561 males and 679,568 females in 2006. By 2009, at 3.0% growth rate, the population was estimated to have hit 1,582,409 comprising 839,827 males and 742,582 females. Similarly, the population was projected still by Akpu, to have reached 1,729,142 around 2011 with 917,702 males and 811,440 females.[31]

Table 3: Nigerians Resident in Kaduna by Tribe and Sex in the 1963 Census

Tribe

Male

Female

Total

Hausa

29, 467

22, 764

52, 231

Ibo

16, 557

11, 096

27, 653

Yoruba

  9, 639

  7, 030

16,669

Kaje

  3, 414

  2, 526

  5, 940

Idoma

  3, 442

  1, 788

  5, 230

Nupe

  2, 711

  2, 188

  4, 899

Fulani

  2, 668

  2, 045

  4, 713

Kanuri

  1, 599

      985

  2, 584

Edo

  1, 463

  1, 057

  2, 520

Igala

  1, 498

      731

  2, 229

Tiv

  1, 434

      726

  2, 160

Gwari/Gbagy

  1, 072

  1, 019

  2, 091

Other Nigerians

11, 186

  6, 955

18,  141

Total

86, 150

60, 910

147, 060

Source: North Central State Statistical Yearbook, 1973

Table 4: Population of Kaduna Residents by Religion in the 1963 Census

Religion

Population

Percentage

Islam

73, 800

49.3

Christianity

74, 200

49.4

Others

  1, 900

  1.3

Total

149,900

100.00

Source: North Central Statistical Yearbook, 1973

Likewise, the establishment of organizations such as the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (a non-governmental organization) in Kaduna and the central committee consisted of many senior civil servants such as Abubakar Gumi, Abubakar Imam, Ali Akilu, Abubakar al-Nafaty, Ahmed Talib, Ahmad Joda and Haliru Binji whom were all based in Kaduna. The organization built its headquarters in Kaduna, an Islamiyya school, the Sultan Bello Primary School in Unguwan Sarkin Musulmi and Shaykh Sabah College (named after the leader of Kuwait then who gave a donation of 3,000 dirham to the JNI) later renamed Sardauna Memorial College all in Kaduna.[32] The role of this and other organizations towards promoting peaceful co-existence amongst the diverse people of Kaduna especially during the crises that engulfed the town in recent years cannot be underestimated.

Thus, the extent to which Kaduna reflects a vision of northern values during the 1960s became more apparent later i.e. around 1967-68 when the north was divided into six states and Kaduna ceased to be the regional capital. At that time, northerners reflected on the key role of Kaduna in blending the ethnic identities which permeated northern politics into a cohesive sense of citizenship. In essence, Kaduna was a symbol of the ability to transcend tribalism.[33] Tribe has all that time diminished in importance in social life. If tribe is the bugbear of modern African life, then Kaduna ought to have been praised, feted and emulated not pilloried. But then, history does not unfold to a pre-arranged plan. Nonetheless, greatest disservice to the gesture made by Kaduna and Gowon would be the misinterpretation of the creation of states and turning it into an invitation to the re-assertion of tribal identity in the former north and elsewhere in the federation.

External and Internal Factors for the Politicization of Religion in Kaduna, c. 1999-2011

Kaduna based on the above analysis has thus, been proved to be a cosmopolitan city. Its people came from all parts of the Nigerian area as well as many neighbouring countries and Europe. Therefore, the politicization of religion especially in urban Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria is more or less the extension of the ethno-religious politics in southern Kaduna. The situations in these three areas occasionally develop their peculiarities, but they are better understood as a continuum than isolated cases. The three urban centres have, inevitably attracted the greatest number of job seekers, educational institutions and religious activities. Apart from hosting prominent industrial and government institutions, the three cities also houses major religious organizations. Years of economic and structural adjustments have also created a huge reservoir of unemployed and militant youths that are ready to strike on the slightest provocation. These, coupled with recent history of religious extremism, state neglect and insensitive policies have produced cities that have increasingly become susceptible to ethno-religious violence. In this regard, violence is expressed at three different levels: through the incessant ethno-religious riots in educational institutions, spill-over effects (or reprisal killings) in other parts of the state or other places, and through the combustible dynamics of urbanization.[34]

Another vital factor responsible for the politicization of religion in Kaduna and by extension, Nigeria is the manipulation of religion especially by the elites. Manipulation of religion is a phenomenon which is as old as the history of mankind himself. It is viewed differently by different scholars. For instance, while Brown defines it as “the art of twisting, or bending by force a religion to achieve a desired political goal or for personal gain”,[35] Ilesanmi describes it as “the art of using religion as a tool for cheating to achieve one’s personal ambition”.[36]  However, in this context, one could view the manipulation of religion to be “the act of devising all means to inculcate in the minds of followers of a certain religion the dislike of another which is different from theirs as well as influencing their thinking and perception of events”. It could also be described as the process of maneuvering or using religious principles to change a political game by political lords to suit their set goals and objectives. As a result, Adamu listed other factors for the politicization of religion to include: parochial and emotional socialization, political compellation with the adherents of other religions, long-standing history of ethno-political antagonisms and religious intolerance.[37] These rival ideologies could further give rise to a combination of several factors which include: (i) when there are two or more religious groups with memorial strengths that can significantly affect the outcome and direction of a democratic political process, (ii) when religion is a legitimizing tool of hegemony and the existing leadership fed the status quo is under threat, (iii) when there is an ascendant radical thinking within a politically significant religious group capable of upstaging hegemony; and (iv) when the society is characterized by political, social and economic hardship that can trigger off the messianic tendencies of the major religions.[38] These conditions and other related ones could throw a nation into anarchy and disrupt the channels of interaction among members in the nation as is the case with Nigeria at the moment. Thus, religion and politics occupy a center stage in the Nigerian society. In the words of Usman:

The systematic manipulation of religion is one of the most important political issues facing the people of Nigeria today. It threatens their security, their survival and the unity of their country. From the Shari’a campaign in 1977-78; to the Maitatsine uprisings of 1980-82; to the OIC campaign of 1986; to the rioting and arson in some towns of Kaduna State in March 1987, a clear pattern is emerging.[39]

Obviously, the meaning and significance of the increasingly violent political campaigns built around religious differences in this country can only be fully understood when seen within the larger context of what has been happening to Nigeria, to Nigerians and to the whole of the African continent over at least the last thirty to forty years or so. Central to this larger context are the momentous changes in the objective conditions of life of the majority of Nigerians and in their perception of the nature and causes of these conditions, their future prospects and possibilities. Another important element of this larger context is the way the basic economic and social relations at the foundation of the system of the imperialist domination of Africa are increasingly incapable of sustaining this system. These relations now increasingly generate for it ecological, economic, social and political crises, which have worsened over the last three to four decades, and for which it does not seem to have any serious solutions, even of a temporary nature beyond more cosmetics. For instance, within Nigeria, millions of Nigerians are increasingly realizing that the present economic and social system in this country has nothing at all for them and their families except landlessness, indebtedness, unemployment, destitution, diseases, illiteracy as well as chronic and pervasive insecurity. They are understanding more and more clearly how the vast wealth of their country is being transferred abroad by multinational corporations and banks, who are working for them, in control of the country, a very tiny group of very rich and unpatriotic Nigerians. Usman posits that:

The real basis of the manipulation and the subsequent politicization of religion in Nigeria today is the need to obscure from the people of Nigeria a fundamental aspect of our reality: that is, the domination of our political economy by a class of intermediaries who are being increasingly exposed. And this is to enable this class to cover themselves with religious and ethnic disguises in order to further entrench division among our people, slow down their awakening at any cost, even the unity of our country, for which so much has been sacrificed.[40]

In addition, well placed individuals have been using their positions in such a way that they entrench mutual distrust and suspicion amongst the masses. For instance, the way religious leaders like Reverend M. H. Kukah, Pastor Movel Wuye, and late Sheikh Mahmud Gumi as well as other personalities such as Odumegwu Ojukwu among others, used to address their congregation and or people within the last three to four decades has contributed immensely in politicizing religion and subsequently, misunderstanding and conflicts in Kaduna metropolis and the State. This is because they talked without considering the level of understanding and perception of their followers or listeners as well as the implications of such statements on the larger society. Today, important figures or religious leaders no longer see public service as a means of bringing development to the society but rather, they look at the highest and top positions in the state (civil service) and see who occupies which places or who is in charge? Is the person in control a member of my religion or tribe? They do not see the person as capable of bringing positive changes and development to the society. Since the inception of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), this competition between Muslims under Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christians under CAN began, it was seriously promoted in the 1980s and 1990s down to the present. The allocation of higher and top government offices was politicized; religious leaders in the country in general and Kaduna State in particular have become enemies even amongst themselves. They tend to deviate from their religious teachings and delved into struggle for the control of government machineries which is why crises and violent conflicts in Kaduna State persisted for quite some time.

It should be emphasized that this problem of provocative speeches is peculiar to both Muslim and Christian scholars. This can be deduced from their writings in books, newspapers, magazines as well as public lectures. For instance, instead of Reverend Kukah to think of and perhaps, present good people that will strive and work for the development of Kaduna State in particular irrespective of which religion the person belongs to or is representing, he ended up promoting issues of marginalizing the Christians in occupying political offices especially in the state. In a paper he presented at a national conference which was later edited by respected academics and published, he posits that:

If only we access the federal constituency through the process of representations for the various states, how does a state like Kaduna spell out that representation? Why for example is it that no non-Muslim has ever governed Kaduna State since its inception? What is so special about the state? After all, non-Muslims have been Governors in Kano, Katsina and Kebbi for example? If this is merely an accident, then it is the kind of accident that is both incendiary and retrogressive and thus, makes integration difficult. It is instructive to note that even when General Buhari took the unprecedented step to make someone from outside the Muslim area of the State a Governor, it was ensured that even that military gentleman was a Muslim……………….[41]

 

Furthermore, one of the immediate causes of the 2000 Shari’a violence in Kaduna metropolis was a speech delivered by Odumegwu Ojukwu with the support of the top members of the Christian Association of Nigeria. The provocative utterances were made by Ojukwu at Hekan Church, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, on Saturday 29th January, 2000, and were widely publicized by the press thus:

I think I speak for Christians. Before I left, that should there be any problem… My brethren are here with you, they will stay with you, they will suffer with you, and they will live to bear this with you. Since 1960, we have watched our human rights as people coming from elsewhere to live here been trampled upon with impunity, it is in the face of this massive, all embracing trampling down of human rights that we have gathered here to review the situation and perhaps to make the appropriate adjustment to our strategy of combating it. I will appeal to all Christians in the North and in the South to join hands to stand shoulder to shoulder and face these onslaughts on our rights.[42]

Pastor James Movel Wuye on 11th September, 2000 was quoted as saying “I have a burning desire to evangelize the entire Northern Nigeria which is my immediate constituency. My hate for non-Christians especially for the Muslims in the past was fierce. I could kill a Muslim if I had the chance to do so”. Although the statement was far made in 2000, the hate that Pastor Wuye had for Muslims was believed to be lingering and could have contributed to the build-up of violence and disharmony in Kaduna metropolis and the entire State.[43] In fact, only God knows what Pastor Wuye and his like have been preaching to their followers.

In the same vein, one David Ayuba of Diamond Bank Plc., was said to have posted several messages inciting violence on Facebook among which was:

“We will slaughter your likes (Muslims) in Kaduna. Ask any Muslim that is resident in Kaduna South. I swear for the next donkey years your lots (Muslims), would dare not call prayers at Kaduna South. In fact, a war should break out. We have had enough of you wayward people. Jos, Wukari, Tafawa Balewa, Kaduna, Shagamu, Onitsha. I swear by God’s grace we would divide this country and rest from you wicked people”.[44]

In connection to this, Gwadabe argues that, there is a relationship between the current state of disunity and conflict in Kaduna metropolis, the state and northern Nigeria in general, and the resurgence of radical reformist religious movements that developed among both Muslim and Christian communities. These movements (Izala and Pentecostal), that resurfaced nearly at the same time, created tendencies for division and militancy among their followers. The existence of separatist religious groups have also contributed to this problem because many of the leaders of these separatist groups see religion as nothing more than a means of livelihood as well as social and political well-being and so they do everything possible to protect and preserve their position.[45] Side by side with the international politics and the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy due to merciless plunder of the national resources by the political elite across the religions and ethnic groups, favourable conditions for mass recruitment of insurgents becomes very easy. Thus, from the 1980s, Kaduna state started experiencing clashes and continuing growth of enmity and hatred encouraged and financed by the respective local political elites and possibly other international financiers.

Overall, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Executive Governor of Kaduna State late Sir Patrick I. Yakowa on the 20th of May, 2011 establishes in its findings that the disapproval of the candidature of Goodluck Jonathan by the Arewa Consultative Forum, the divisive preaching by both Christian and Muslim clerics as a result of which places of worships were turned into centres of political campaigns, the large number of unemployed youths who roam the streets of Kaduna metropolis and almost every town in the country who became easy tools for selfish and disgruntled politicians, lack of discipline and the deterioration in moral values in youths, economic challenges and the lack of infrastructural facilities in many sections of the metropolis and the state as a whole, indigene-settler conundrum, deep-rooted animosity and suspicion as well as religious intolerance were some of the reasons for the continued outbreak of conflicts and crises experienced during electioneering processes in Kaduna since the return to democracy. In a related development, at the Federal level, President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated a 22-member Panel of Investigation into the 2011 post-Presidential Election Violence and Civil Disturbances under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Sheikh Ahmed Lemu OFR and F. F. Ogunshakin (Esq) as secretary on May 11, 2011                                                        and their findings also establishes that,  deliberate politicization of the news media by the political actors for the dissemination of falsehood and propaganda, poor/irresponsible/incisive/unauthorized media reportage, inter-party conflicts bordering on hidden and selfish agendas of the competing political parties, politicization of ethnic, sectional and religious identities and the political undertone of these identities as well as undeveloped culture of opposition politics were among the factors for the politicization of religion in Kaduna and the country at large.[46]

Politicization of Religion in Kaduna: Implication for Unity and Social Integration in Kaduna

In the pre-colonial times, most if not all the peoples of Kaduna state entered into various relationships with their neighbours at different levels. Although these relationships were not the straight jacket type, nevertheless, they were not openly antagonistic as some colonial writers would want us to believe.[47] There were relationships that were underpinned by cultural cross fertilization in which religious and linguistic elements served as veritable bridges through which inter-ethnic relations were promoted. Joking relations existed between various ethnic groups which constituted the foundation of inter-ethnic relations. This is true of the relationship between Hausa/Fulani and the Kataf as well as other ethnic groups within the state in which diplomatic relations prepared the ground for strong inter-ethnic relations. The process of socio-economic integration that followed the settlement of the Hausa/Fulani in the southern area of Kaduna state in the late 14th and early 15th centuries was perhaps one of the most important cases of inter-ethnic relations based on mutual economic interest. This economic interest was largely on agricultural production and pastoralism.[48] From the mid-19th century, the degree of integration between the Hausas and the people of southern Kaduna had reached such a high integrative degree with inter-marriages and to the extent that even their settlements could hardly be distinguished from one another.[49]

However, the mutual trust and co-operation among the major ethnic groups in Kaduna started deteriorating when the Kafanchan crisis broke out in 1987 which had a remote cause in the various degrees of bad leadership on the populace (through patterns of appointment, patronage and the lack of provision of essential social and economic services). The degenerating situation worsened when in 1992 and 2000 the Zangon Kataf and Shari’a crises broke out. These crises deeply affected the two groups and finally changed the long time peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationships that had existed between the major ethnic groups in the state.[50] Henceforth, mass migration of the survivors of the crises to places within and outside the state where people of their kind or of the same faith dominated commenced. For instance, on the one hand, Muslims that lived in areas like Kabala West, Narayi, Barnawa, Television, Sabon Tasha, Marabar Rido, Unguwan Pama and Unguwan Romi among others in the southern part of the metropolis relocated to areas like Tudun Wada, Rigasa, Hayin Malam Bello, Hayin Dan Mani, Unguwar Hazo, Rigachukun, Kawo, Unguwan Kanawa and Unguwan Shanu among others in the northern part. On the other hand, the Christians that used to live in the areas above then moved and settled in areas that the Muslims left including Gonin Gora on the Kaduna-Abuja express road. Those who owned houses and shops in places where people outside their faith dominated sold them off and bought or rented in places they felt their lives and property would be secured. This wave of migration did not only changed inter-ethnic relations but also affected the pattern of settlement of the people at least in Kaduna metropolis.[51] It should however be emphasized that almost all of these settlements suffer from the lack or complete absence of infrastructural facilities which also makes life unbearable.

Going further, another implication of the politicization of religion in Kaduna metropolis is that the division of the people along ethno-religious lines has set an ugly precedence at a time when the feeling of enmity has transcended to the quest for extermination. It is obvious that conflict/crises have bearing on our history, especially the distortions inherent in the process of our development during the pre-colonial through to the colonial periods. The division has created a permanent enmity, hatred and the possibility of the outbreak of a major violence (in the future) among the diverse social groups in the state. It is sad that the town has become so segregated and divided to the extent that the people only see the bad side of each other and living a life that is driven by fear and suspicion. Unfortunately, the youths who are used in committing these dastardly acts are mostly in their twenties and thirties. In other words, a generation has been born around this period knowing only one side of the story that encourages hatred, enmity and tribal or religious bigotry. No doubt, a child who is twenty-five years today whether Muslim or Christian knows little about the other, as he has spent his or her formative years with only people of his or her faith and hence, do not see or regard anyone who does not belong to either their religion or tribe. In essence, a whole generation of the community has been destroyed since none has regard for the other. Very few of them, indeed, a negligible percentage have been brought up to appreciate and understand our diversity as a people. It should be emphasized that no people can ever live in isolation of others. It is our diversity that makes us stronger and better communities. Every people have particular knowledge and skills which God has endowed them with and which when harnessed make us greater when we accept these diversities for the progress and development of our common humanity. The massive progress of most developed nations of today is the harnessing of these diversities. The earlier we note that there is nothing like mono societies anywhere in the present world, the better for our development and progress as a people. Those of us who had the opportunities of inter and intra tribal or religious upbringings are today, unfortunately, the architects of this dichotomy and hatred enshrined in these youths.

In addition and very important, is the inability of the Government at all levels to implement the recommendations of previous panels/committees/commissions over the years, for example, Babalakin, Karibi-Whyte, M. D. Yusuf, Danmadami, Ajibola and Niki Tobi at federal level, as well as the Cudjoe, Ja’afaru and Bello’s commissions of inquiry at the state level has gradually promoted/encouraged the culture of impunity leaving the impression of the existence of sacred cows and the absence of political will on the part of successive governments. The accumulation of these grievances has played a role in the eventual violent outburst following the declaration of election results. Below were the comments or words to this effect that have been the cynicism expressed virtually by every major Nigerian stakeholder with whom the Panel/commissions interacted in the course of their assignments:

Many panels of investigations, administrative panels of inquiry and judicial commissions of inquiry were set up by the federal government over the past decades, and nothing was ever heard of the reports, or governments’ views on them (white papers) not to talk of their implementation. What makes you think the Federal/State Government Investigation Panels on the 2011 Election Violence would be any different? It will go the way of all the others as a joke since government does not have the courage, political will or capacity to see them through to implementation.[52]        

Recommendations

By and large, Good governance, observance of the rule of law, interfaith dialogue, the roles of non-governmental organizations, roles of religious leaders and religious tolerance and enlightenment campaigns amongst other factors would go a long way in restoring understanding, peaceful and harmonious co-existence that the Kaduna residents had enjoyed for long. Similarly, provision of urban infrastructures by the government such as housing that could accommodate civil servants irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation will greatly foster unity and harmony amongst the inhabitants. In addition to this, most residents of the metropolis believe that a proactive law and peace enforcement by the government and her agents will also assist in reducing the incessant conflicts that keeps on re-occurring as a result of the politicization of religion to the barest minimum.

Conclusion

From the discussion above, it is glaring that several factors compelled people to migrate (push factors) and settled in Kaduna metropolis. These include civil strifes, inter-tribal wars, family disputes and the search for greener pastures among others. Similarly, what attracted them to Kaduna (pull factors) apart from the natural factors such as the geographical and environmental features were colonialism and its attendant exploitative features such as trading activities, construction of the railway as well as the subsequent transfer of the capital of the Northern Protectorate to Kaduna. The impact of this migration was that it brought people of diverse ethno-religious and cultural identities together who settled in harmony with one another. The “new town” quality of Kaduna is its predominant characteristic and was described by some people during this period as “the Sabon Gari of Northern Nigeria” since it drew immigrants from throughout the north and beyond. As such, with the two important migrations to Kaduna from 1913–17, a new era had begun in the history of Kaduna – the beginning of the urbanization process and the creation of the city.

Therefore, the true sense of unity, brotherhood and peaceful co-existence were sustained amongst the diverse people of Kaduna metropolis from its establishment up to the mid-80s. However, by this period, developments in the state began to make the hitherto existing cordial relationship amongst the people to deteriorate. This endeavour demonstrates that among other things, the politicization of religion by the elites and or religious leaders have played tremendous roles in this regard. The paper argues that the factors for the politicization of religion in general and in Kaduna metropolis/state in particular include among others; the role of the elites, ethnicization of religion for material benefits, misrepresentation and the manipulation of religion, the question of identity, insecurity and a host of others. Similarly, the paper stresses that, a major consequence of this is a pattern of settlement sharply divided along ethno-religious lines in the metropolis. The study discovered that there is residential and social segregation with people of same religious faith and ethnic origins residing in the same neighbourhood and this has political and socio-economic implications.

Bibliography

Abdu H., Clash of Identities: State, Society and Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, Kaduna: DevReach Publishers, 2010.

Abubakar A. Y., “The Establishment and Development of Emirate Government in Bauchi 1805 – 1905”, PhD Thesis, Department of Administration, A. B. U., Zaria, 1974.

Adamu A., “British Colonial Agricultural Policies in Nigeria, C. 1902-1945: A case study of Soba District”, M. A. Thesis, Department of History, A. B. U., Zaria, 1992.

Adamu A., “The Food Economy in Colonial Nigeria: A Study of Food Production and Distribution in Zaria Metropolis C. 1902-1960”, PhD Thesis, Department of History A. B. U., Zaria, 2001.

Adamu S., “The Press and Nigerian Unity” in Mahadi, A., (ed.), Nigeria: the State of the Nation and the Way Forward, Kaduna: Arewa House, 1994.

Adeleye R. A., Power and Diplomacy in Northern Nigeria, 1804-1906, Ibadan, Oxford University Press; 1971.

Allen H. J. B., “Aspects of Urban Administration in the Northern States of Nigeria” in Savanna: A Journal of the Environmental and Social Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Vol. 1, Number 1, June, 1972,

Ashafa, A. M., (ed.), Urbanisation and Infrastructure in Nigeria since the 20th century Essays in Honour of Professor Ezzeldin Mukhtar Abdurrahman, Kaduna State University, Kaduna; Annual Reports of Northern Nigeria, 2011.

Backwell H. F., The Occupation of Hausa Land, 1900 – 1904, Lagos, Government Printer, 1967.

Bello F. D., “Urban Expansion, Crises and the Changing Pattern of Settlements in Kaduna Metropolis, c. 1960-2011”, PhD Thesis, Department of History, A. B. U, Zaria, 2022.

Bello S. and Oyedele E., “The City of Kaduna”, G. Asiwaju, et al; Cities of the Savannah: A History of Some Towns and Cities of the Nigerian Savannah, Nigeria Magazine, 1977.

Brown P., “Patterns of Authority in West Africa”, The Champion Newspaper, Vol.2, No. 4, Saturday 10th July, 1999

Falola T., (ed.), Britain and Nigeria: Exploitation or Development? London: Zed Books, Ltd., 1987.

Gervis P., Of Emirs and Pagans: A View of Northern Nigeria, London, Cassel, 1956.

Gwadabe M. M., “Ideological and Political Positions of the Major Islamic Sects, Schools and Tendencies in Northern Nigeria: Implication for Peace and Security in Kaduna State and the Northern States of Nigeria”, MANDYENG, Journal of Central Nigeria Studies, University of Jos, Mid-Rains, 2014

Hamman M., The Changing Nature of Inter-Ethnic Relations and the Development of Inter-Ethnic Conflict in Northern Nigeria, Zaria: Gaskiya Publishing Company Ltd, 1999.

Hogben S. J., and Kirk-Green A. H. M., The Emirates of Northern Nigeria, London, 1966.

Ilesanmi S.O., Religious Pluralism and the Nigerian State, Athens: Ohio University Press, 1997.

Kazah-Toure, K. “The Development of Nationalist Movement in Zaria province 1902-1960”, M.A. Thesis, Department of History, A. B. U., Zaria, 1991.

Kukah M. H., ‘’Orphans in Paradise: Settlers vs. Indigenes and the Politics of Belonging in Nigeria’’ A. M. Yakubu, (et. al), Management of Social Conflict in a Plural Society, Kaduna: Arewa Consultative Forum, 2003.

Lugard F. D., Political Memoranda- Revision of Instruction to Political Officers 1913 – 1918, London, Frank Cass Co. Ltd, 1970.

Lugard F.  D., The Dual Mandate in British Tropical Africa, London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1965.

Nadabo Y., Tarihin Garin Kaduna Hedikwatar Arewa, Zaria, A. B. U. Press, Ltd, 2000.

New Nigerian Newspaper, “Verdict Kaduna’s Role”, March 30th, 1968.

Ojo M.A., “Religious Reportage in the Contemporary Nigerian. Press”, Paper Presented at a Conference on Religion and Media in Nigeria, at SOAS, London, 1999.

Omiunu F. G. I., “The Declining Role of Rail Transport in Inter-Regional Trade between Northern and Southern Nigeria”, M. A. Thesis, Department of Geography, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1977.

Omorogbe S. K. & Omohan M.E., “Causes and Management of Ethno-Religious Conflicts: The Nigerian Experience”, Yakubu, A. M., (et. al.), Crisis and Conflict Management in Nigeria since 1980: Causes and Dimension of Conflicts, Vol. 1 & Governance and Conflict Management Vol. 2, Kaduna, Nigerian Defense Academy, 2005.

Oyedele E. O., “Colonial Urbanization in Northern Nigeria: Kaduna, 1913-1960”, PhD Thesis, Department of History, ABU, Zaria, 1987.

Paden J. N., Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of Sokoto: Values and Leadership in Nigeria, Zaria, Huda-Huda Publishing Company, 1986.

Salau M. B., “A Political and Economic History of an Urban Settlement: A Case Study of Kawo, Kaduna 1913-1980”, M.A. Dissertation, Department of History, A. B. U., Zaria, 1992.

Smith M. G. Government in Zazzau 1800-1950, London, Oxford University Press, 1960.

Ushe U. M., “Manipulation of Religion and the Task Before the Christian Leaders”, BEST: International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Medicine and Sciences, Vol. 1, Issue No. 2, 2013.

Tamuno T. N., “Genesis of the Nigerian Railway - II”, in Nigeria Magazine, No. 84, March, 1965.

Oral Interviews

Brigadier General Garba Muhammad (Rtd.), Sarkin Lere aged 70, at his Residence in Kashim Ibrahim Road, Unguwan Rimi G.R.A., Kaduna, on 01/05/2017.

Cecilia Garba, civil servant, aged 49, at her Residence in Unguwan Gado, Malali, Kaduna, on 11/04/16;

Danjuma Gaiya (a.k.a. DO), Retired Civil Servant, aged 71, At his Residence in Dirkaniya, Kaduna, on 13/08/18; Malam Salihu Adamu, Farmer/Islamic Scholar, aged 70, At his Residence in Dirkaniya, Kaduna, on 13/08/18.

Hadiza Danladi, civil servant, aged 45, at her Residence in Karatudu, Unguwan Romi, Kaduna on 11/04/16.

Malam Aminu Ibrahim, retired civil servant and Businessman, aged 70, at his Residence in Kakuri—Makera, Kaduna, on 19/08/16.

Malam Isiyaka Idris, aged 62 and Mr. Sani Ebe, aged 63, Retired textile workers, at the office of Dogarin Hakimin Kakuri, on 04/09/16 and 18/09/16 respectively.

Muhammad Nasiruddeen, retired Civil Servant, aged 60, at his Residence in Hayin Dan Bushiya, Kaduna, on 17/06/18.

Mr. Auta Zarmai, Dagacin Anguwan Yelwa ta Arewa, aged 82, at his Residence in Anguwan Yelwa-Television, Kaduna on 08/09/16;

Mr. Wasa Yari, Dagacin Television ta Arewa, aged 73, at his Residence in Television, Kaduna, on 06/09/17;

Mrs. Sarah Matthew, Housewife, aged 70, At her Residence in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna, on 25/04/16;

Mr. Simon Atogo, retired army officer, Wakilin Agaba Ikulu, aged 82, at his Residence in Unguwar Bulus, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, on 17/09/2016.

Malam Shu’aibu Adamu, Limamin Kwanan Ashara-Kakuri, Kaduna, aged 75, at his Residence in Kakuri on 04/09/16.



[1] T. N. Tamuno, “Genesis of the Nigerian Railway - II”, in Nigeria Magazine, No. 84, March, 1965, p. 31; M. A. Rufa’i, (2011), “The Railway Factor in the Emergence and Growth of Metropolitan Minna” in Ashafa, A. M., (ed.), (2011), Urbanisation and Infrastructure in Nigeria since the 20th century Essays in Honour of Professor Ezzeldin Mukhtar Abdurrahman, Kaduna State University, Kaduna; Annual Reports of  Northern Nigeria: 1910-11; E. O. Oyedele, (1987), “Colonial Urbanization in Northern Nigeria: Kaduna, 1913-1960”, PhD Thesis, Department of History, A. B. U, Zaria; F. G. I. Omiunu, (1977), “The Declining Role of Rail Transport in Inter-regional Trade between Northern and Southern Nigeria”, M. A. Thesis, Department of Geography, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, p. 249;  S. Bello and E. Oyedele, (1977), “The City of Kaduna” in G. Asiwaju, et al; Cities of the Savannah: A History of Some Towns and Cities of the Nigerian Savannah,  Nigeria Magazine, p. 63; J. N. Paden, (1986), Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of Sokoto: Values and Leadership in Nigeria, Zaria, Huda-Huda Publishing Company; Oral interviews (group) with Malam Hussaini Muhammad, aged 68, Malam Ado Tanko, aged 65, Malam Yusuf Yahaya, aged 68, Malam Isiyaka Idris, aged 62 and Mr. Sani Ebe, aged 63, retired textile workers, at the office of Dogarin Hakimin Kakuri, on 04/09/16 and 18/09/16 respectively. Also, oral interview with Mr. Auta Zarmai, Dagacin Anguwan Yelwa ta Arewa, aged 82, at his residence in Anguwan Yelwa-Television, Kaduna on 08/09/16; Mr. Wasa Yari, Dagacin Television ta Arewa, aged 73, at his residence in Television, Kaduna, on 06/09/17; Mrs. Sarah Matthew, Housewife, aged 70, At her residence in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna, on 25/04/16; Danjuma Gaiya (a.k.a. DO), Retired Civil Servant, aged 71, At his residence in Dirkaniya, Kaduna, on 13/08/18; Malam Salihu Adamu, Farmer/Islamic Scholar, aged 70, At his residence in Dirkaniya, Kaduna, on 13/08/18

 

 

[2] E. O. Oyedele, (1987), “Colonial Urbanization in Northern Nigeria……

[3] C. N. Ubah, (2011), “Military Factor in Urbanization in Nigeria: The Example of Kaduna”, in Ashafa, A. M., (ed.) Urbanization and Infrastructure in Nigeria…, pp. 61-79; E. O. Oyedele, (1987), “Colonial Urbanization in Northern Nigeria….. and F. D. Bello, (2022), “Urban Expansion, Crises and the Changing Pattern of Settlements in Kaduna Metropolis, c. 1960-2011”, PhD Thesis, Department of History, A. B. U., Zaria

[4] Northern Nigeria Annual Reports for 1906-07, December 1907, No. 551

[5] E. O. Oyedele, (1987), “Colonial Urbanization in Northern Nigeria….., F. G. I. Omiunu, (1977), “The Declining Role of Rail Transport in Inter-regional Trade between….., and M. B. Salau, (1992), “A Political and Economic History of an Urban Settlement: A Case Study of Kawo, Kaduna 1913-1980”, M. A. Dissertation, Department of History, A. B.U., Zaria, p. 64

[6] M. A. Rufa’i, (2011), “The Railway Factor in the Emergence and Growth of Metropolitan Minna”, in Ashafa, A. M., (ed.), (2011), Urbanisation and Infrastructure in Nigeria since….. and T. N. Tamuno, “Genesis of the Nigerian Railway-II”, in Nigeria Magazine, No. 84, March, 1965, p. 31 

[7] C. N. Ubah, (2011), “Military Factor in Urbanization in Nigeria: The Example of Kaduna”….  S. Bello and E. O. Oyedele, ‘The City of Kaduna’ in Asiwaju, G., et. al. (1977),  Cities of the Savannah: A History of Some Towns and Cities of the…… pp. 32-33

 

[8] S. Bello and E. Oyedele, (1977), “The City of Kaduna” in G. Asiwaju, et al; Cities of the Savannah: A History of Some Towns and Cities of the Nigerian Savannah,  Nigeria Magazine, p. 63

[9] F. D. Lugard, (1970), Political Memoranda - Revision of Instruction to Political….. F. D. Lugard, (1965), The Dual Mandate in British….., op. cit.,  H. F. Backwell, (1969), The Occupation of Hausa Land….. and E. O. Oyedele, “Colonial Urbanization in Northern Nigeria…..” pp. 47-72

[10] Ibid, p. 31

[11] Ibid, see also F. D. Bello, (2022), “Urban Expansion, Crises and the Changing Pattern of Settlements in…..” Y. Nadabo, (2000), Tarihin Garin Kaduna….. and B. E. Mijah, “Globalization, Megacities and the Challenges of Governance…,” in A. M. Ashafa (ed.), Urbanization and Infrastructure in Nigeria…..

[12] E. Oyedele, (2011), “The British and the Making of a Capital City…..”, op. cit. and C. N. Ubah, (2011), “Military Factor in Urbanization in Nigeria…..”

[13] Ibid, p. 67; F. D. Lugard, (1970), Political Memoranda - Revision of Instruction to Political Officers 1913 – 1918, London, Frank Cass Co. Ltd.; F. D. Lugard, (1965), The Dual Mandate in British Tropical Africa, London, Hodder & Stoughton and E. O. Oyedele, (2011), “The British and the Making of a Capital City…”  in A. M. Ashafa, (ed.), Urbanisation and Infrastructure.....

[14] S. Bello and E. O. Oyedele, “The City of Kaduna” in G. Asiwaju, et. al. (1977) ….. p. 66 and I. A. Jatau, (1987), “The Role of Informal Sector in Urban Growth: A Case Study of Kaduna”…..

[15] Ibid

[16] NAK, SNP 15/10, 222 – Kaduna Clearing of Tsetse Areas

[17] S. Bello and E. O. Oyedele, “The City of Kaduna” in G. Asiwaju, et. al. (1977) …..

[18] C. N. Ubah, (2011), “Military Factor in Urbanization in Nigeria…..”

[19] J. N. Paden, (1986), Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto…… p. 319

[20] Ibid

[21] Nigerian Citizen, April 3rd, 1963, p. 16, “Premier opens North’s Nortex”

[22] Ibid

[23] Ibid; initially, the Northern Regional Government did not worry about the sources of the investment capital (public/private, domestic/foreign). The government was only concerned about “catching up” in the industrial areas, and is confident that it can monitor the companies in terms of their working within the law.

[24] Nigerian Citizen, “Capital Territory School”, July 4th, 1964, p. 6. Unfortunately, the school today is no longer what it was intended for. In fact, with the current settlement pattern obtained in the metropolis, one majorly sees only the children of that ethnic and religious group that dominates the area where the school is located. 

[25] Oral interview with Brigadier General Garba Muhammad (Rtd.), Sarkin Lere aged 70, at his residence in Kashim Ibrahim road, Unguwan Rimi G.R.A., Kaduna, on 01/05/2017 and Mr. Simon Atogo, retired army officer, Wakilin Agaba Ikulu, aged 82, at his residence in Unguwar Bulus, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, on 17/09/2016. Oral sources have also indicated that areas like Unguwan Shanu, Unguwan Kanawa, Abakpa and Badarawa are examples of these settlements founded by the ex – service men. 

[26] Oral interview with Brigadier General Garba Muhammad (Rtd.) …..

[27] E. Oyedele, “The Military Factor in the Rise and Development of Kaduna Metropolis” in Nigerian Defense Academy Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 58

[28] AH/5:1/11/2139 - Population Census - 1962, “Enumeration Areas, Kaduna Capital Territory”; AH/5:1/15/2182- “Population Total Summaries”, Kaduna Capital Territory and Statistical Year Book (1969, 1970, 1971 & 1972), North Central State, Military Governor’s Office, Economic Planning Division, Kaduna, Nigeria

[29] DFD Final Research Report, (2003), Mapping Urbanization for Urban Regional Governance: Kaduna in the Nigerian Federal Context

[30] National Population Commission, (1998), 1991 Population Census of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: Analytical Report at the National Level, p. 29 and New Nigerian Newspaper, March 20th,  23rd, and 25th, April 2nd, 4th,  6th, and 10th 1992

[31] B. Akpu, (2012), “An Analysis of the Spatio-Temporal Growth of Kaduna Metropolis and its Environmental Consequences in Kaduna, Nigeria”, PhD Thesis, Department of Geography, B. U., Kano, pp. 50-51

[32] J. N. Paden, (1986), Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of Sokoto…… pp. 550-61

[33] New Nigerian Newspaper, “Verdict Kaduna’s  role”, March 30th, 1968, p. 11

[34] S. K. Omorogbe & M. E. Omohan, (2005), “Causes and Management of Ethno-Religious Conflicts: The Nigerian Experience”, in Yakubu, A. M., (et. al.), Crisis and Conflict Management in Nigeria  since 1980: Causes and Dimension of Conflicts, Vol. 1 & Governance and Conflict Management vol. 2, Kaduna: Nigerian Defense Academy, p. 555 and H. Abdu, (2010), Clash of Identities: State, Society and Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, Kaduna: DevReach Publishers, p. 101

[35] P. Brown, (1957), “Patterns of Authority in West Africa”, The Champion Newspaper, Vol.2, No. 4, Saturday 10th July, 1999

[36] S. O., Ilesanmi, (1997), Religious Pluralism and the Nigerian State, Athens: Ohio University Press

[37] S. Adamu, (1994), “The Press and Nigerian Unity” in Mahadi, A., (ed.), Nigeria: the State of the Nation and the Way Forward, Kaduna: Arewa House

[38] U. M. Ushe, (2013), “Manipulation of Religion and the Task Before the Christian Leaders”, in BEST: International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Medicine and Sciences, Vol. 1, Issue No. 2, pp. 23-24

[39] Y. B. Usman, (1987), The Manipulation of Religion in Nigeria Today…… p. 1

[40] Y. B. Usman, (1987), The Manipulation of Religion in Nigeria Today……  p. 20 

[41] M. H. Kukah, (2003), ‘’Orphans in Paradise: Settlers vs. Indigenes and the Politics of Belonging in Nigeria’’ in A. M. Yakubu, (et. al), Management of Social Conflict in a Plural Society, Kaduna: Arewa Consultative Forum, p. 20

[42] Weekly Trust Vol. 3, No. 3,  March 3rd –9th, 2000

[43] White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Presidential Election Disturbances in Kaduna State, p. 27

[44] White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Presidential….. p. 26

[45] M. M. Gwadabe, (2011), “Ideological and Political Positions of the Major Islamic Sects, Schools and Tendencies in Northern Nigeria: Implication for Peace and Security in Kaduna State and the Northern States of Nigeria”, in MANDYENG, Journal of Central Nigeria Studies, University of Jos, Mid-Rains, 2014 and oral interviews with Hadiza Danladi, civil servant, aged 45, at her residence in Karatudu, Unguwan Romi, Kaduna on 11/04/16; Cecilia Garba, civil servant, aged 49, at her residence in Unguwan Gado, Malali, Kaduna, on 11/04/16; Malam Shu’aibu Adamu, Limamin Kwanan Ashara-Kakuri, Kaduna, aged 75, at his residence in Kakuri on 04/09/16 and Malam Aminu Ibrahim, retired civil servant and Businessman, aged 70, at his residence in Kakuri—Makera, Kaduna, on 19/08/16

[46] Main Report of the Federal Government Investigation Panel on 2011 Election Violence and Civil Disturbances, September, 2011

[47] M. Hamman, (1999), The Changing Nature of Inter-Ethnic Relations and the Development of Inter-Ethnic Conflict in Northern Nigeria, Zaria: Gaskiya Publishing Company Ltd, pp. 10 – 20

[48] M. Hamman, (1999), The Changing Nature of Inter-Ethnic Relations and the….. p. 11

[49] Oral interview with Muhammad Nasiruddeen, retired Civil Servant, aged 60, at his residence in Hayin Dan Bushiya, Kaduna, on 17/06/18

[50] Almost if not all informants have ascertained this fact as already noted previously in so many sections of this study

[51] O. E. Larry (2005), “Managing Ethno-religious Violence and Areal Differentiation in Kaduna Metropolis”, in Yakubu, A. M., and Bobboyi, H., (eds.), Crises and Conflict Management in Nigeria…..  p. 520

[52] Main Report of the Federal Government Investigation Panel on 2011 Election….. p. iv

Politicization of Religion in Nigeria: A Threat to National Unity and Social Integration in Kaduna, C. 1999-2011

Post a Comment

0 Comments