Understanding the Buhari factor in Northern Nigeria
By Muazu Usman Shehu
In 1973, a British Historian who specialised in northern Nigerian history, Anthony Kirk-Green, published a small book entitled “MUTUMIN KIRKI: THE CONCEPT OF GOOD MAN IN HAUSA”. In the book, Kirk-Greene identifies the most important human attributes and behavioural characteristics that the people of northern Nigeria revere. These attributes and character traits constitute the foundational principles of Hausa moral education (tarbiyyar Bahause).
The attributes are truthfulness (gaskiya), trustworthiness (amana), generosity (karamci), patience (hakuri), good sense (hankali), bashfulness (kunya), courtesy (ladabi), self-esteem (mutunci), wisdom (hikima), and scrupulous behaviour (adalci).
According to Kirk-Greene, these behavioural characteristics that constitute the basis of Hausa moral education significantly shape social relationships from leadership recruitment to economic relations, marriage and family arrangements and community life in general.
For instance, in politics and leadership, the Hausa people rarely pay attention to anything other than these personal qualities of individuals. The first thing a typical northerner would do is to try to ascertain whether the person in question is a “good man.”
Once he is doubtful of the personal character of the candidate, as determined by the possession of these behavioural characteristics, he would hardly trust the candidate with political leadership.
As a matter of fact, the majority of people in northern Nigeria believe that President Muhammadu Buhari is a “good man”. They believe that he possesses most of the qualities that underpin the concept of good man in Hausa culture and religion.
To me this is the major reason why they trust him more than any other politician. Nothing will stop them from giving him their massive support so long as he does not change his character and moral principles.
And so far, there is no sign that he has changed during his four years of service as the president of Nigeria. This perception, more than any other thing, explains Buhari’s massive support among the people of the north.
In my opinion, this tradition of supporting people of “good” character over those considered deficient in personal character is something to be cherished and sustained, as leadership is a serious business that requires serious scrutiny of individuals vying for public offices.
