According to Marxian class theory, It asserts that an individual’s position within a class hierarchy is determined by their role in the production process, and argues that political and ideological consciousness is determined by class position. It means that a class is those who share common economic interests, are conscious of those interests, and engage in collective action which advances those interests.
Nigeria is ethnically heterogeneous and culturally pluralistic in nature which has continued to keep the country far away from each other with the artificial notion of division created by bigger tribes (elites) and an idea bought by second tribes (masses). This opinion is aim to enlightening the common Nigerians that we are not at war with each other on the grounds of ethnicity, religion and region. Mallam Isa from Kano is a brother to Chenedu from Enugu and Balogun from the Oyo States respectively.
The country is in no doubt an ethnically diverse state with over 370 ethnic groups and over 500 languages according to the available estimations even though some of the ethnicities may sleep over at the course of research due to their small number. Many observers are of the opinion that the decision of Sir. Frederick Luggard merged together the Northern and Southern protectorate left behind so many unresolved problems that have today culminated in the current Nigerian challenges.
The emergence of the ethnic and religious division syndromes has continued to widen bitterly since the return of the fourth Republic in 1999. These factors are currently on the train of crippling all efforts of the leaders of the First Republic that set the standard of building a prosperous nation called Nigeria.The late Premier of the Northern region Sir. Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto, Late Nnamdi Azikwe, Late Obafemi Awolowo and many to mention of their likes gave it all for Nigeria till their last breath.
The Sardaunas and his likes are regarded as the best contents of leadership Nigeria has ever breathed 55 years after. They were able to keep Nigeria as a single tribe even before the merging of the Northern and the Southern protectorate as an entity in 1914. These leaders of the First Republic has done remarkably well while in charge of the affairs of Nigeria.
We have seen a resurgence of bourgeoisim (Elites) and Proletariatism (Masses) as the major dominant tribes in Nigeria that continue to distinguish themselves from one another. According to Karl Marx, the two tribes will be in conflict with each other because the Proletariat will continue to push to advance their class status at the same time facing resistance from the ruling class that own the means of production and control of the labour and power.
In Nigeria, The case is completely different from what Karl Marx portrayed in his theory that should have made it easier for us as the masses to achieve our common goals. It is very clear and open to all that the elites tribe in Nigeria are more united in their course when compare to the tribe of the masses. The masses tribe are in conflict with each other which make it practically impossible to confront their common challenges.
Nigeria is now a society that is divided and is gradually splitting up into two great hostile camps that are direct to each other. These camps are elites and the Masses that are responsible for our current Predicaments as a nation. The elites have now cash and weigh into the masses by creating conflicts making them believe in the Politics of the region, religion and tribal sentiments which have made it possible for ” We want our own syndrome” to triumphed over competency.
It is eminent that consistent meetings of stakeholders from different regional groups from the North and South of Nigerian are not more than demanding for a regional President in 2023. One of the demands in a communique issued by Southern Governors in Enugu and read by the Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu is that a President must come from the South in 2023. We have seen how some of our pastors and some of our imams have proved to be praise singers and spokesmen of the Elites tribes during sermons.
The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not a paper that can be thrown into a pit but a document that is supreme over the entity of Nigeria. It is a document that defines our democracy and prophesies how a winner can emerge in an election. A President must score at least 25% of the 24 States of Nigeria after scoring the highest number of valid votes cast in the 36 States of the federation. It means that what Nigeria needs currently is a Nigerian President because the clamour for regional Presidency is another attempt by the elites tribes to continue their divide and rule system.
Marx established conflict as the key driving force of history and the main determinant of social trajectories (Kingston). However, in order to understand the nature of “class conflict,” we must first understand that such conflict arises from a unified class interest, also known as class consciousness. We are living witnessed how our Political elites are cross carpeting from one Political party to another just like shopping malls to advance their interest to the detriment of the masses tribes.
The only tribes in Nigeria today are the elites and the Masses upon all the Nigerian Problems that emerged. These tribes have plunged Nigeria into serious chaos ranging from farmers-Herders clashes within the North Central States, Boko Haram in the North East, The Secessionist in the South East and South-West regions (IPOB and the Oduduwa Republic), the Niger-Delta Militancy and the current Banditry in the North West. All these and many more can be sum up as a by-product of the Elites and Masses tribes misconceptions in Nigeria.
One of the major factors that continue to hinder the success of fostering Peace and Unity in Nigeria is because these tribes (Elites and Masses) are the frontline banners that continue to advance these divisions along those lines of sentiments. The theory is that once you make a lot of money to win an election, then you belong to the elite tribe. When you are suffering in pain, pang and lack, you belong to the tribe of the masses. If you are a member of the elite tribe, and you want power, all you need to do is to introduce ethnic or religious crisis among Members of the masses and they will fall for it.
Since the distribution of political power in Nigeria is determined by power overproduction or power over capital, it is no surprise that the bourgeois class uses their wealth to legitimatize and protect their property and consequent social relations. Thus the ruling class is those who hold the economic power and make the decisions. However, in order to understand the nature of the current conflict in Nigeria, we must first understand that such conflict arises from a unified class interest and consciousness of the state actors. We have seen how United the Elites are in advancing their personal interest Politically, economically and socially while the masses tribes are left only with Confrontations instead of coming to discuss issues that affect their daily existence as Nigerians.
In Nigeria, the masterminds are mostly the Political elites while the foot soldiers are the masses who implement always the heinous act to hurt their fellows. Former President of the United States of America Barrack Obama said during his inaugural address that “We are mindful of the sacrifice born by our ancestors and we remain faithful to the ideals of our forebears”. These ideas left by our founding fathers whose class of status was unnoticed, Late Maitama Sule Dan (Masanin Kano) of blessed memory has on many occasions till his last breath continues to eulogised the late Premier of the North Sir. Ahmadu Bello and his likes as ” Leaders and not Rulers. He kept Northern Nigeria united and today the region advancement into 19 States is only paying us with unresolved Congratulations.
Lack of Political ideology is the reason why the Politics of tribes and religion is introduced by our modern-day rulers because many of them lost everything morally and otherwise immediately they are out of office. If Tafawa Balewa of the NPC, Azikiwe of the NCNC, Awolowo of the AG, Malam Aminu Kano of the NEPU, and J.S Tarka of the UMBC are still fresh in the mind of the current generations of Nigerians then the Statement of the Late Dan Masanin Kano is nothing but bitter truth that we have fortunate to have rulers but not leaders.
The reunion of the former Minister of Aviation Femi-Fani Koyode with those he constantly accused of destroying the very rich history of Nigeria is a great of the century to those who think the Elites are divided. The language an Imam understands is the same language Pastor Bayo and Ejike speaks in Abuja in the tribes of the elites. It means religion as portrayed by Karl Marx is today used in Nigeria as opium to oppressed the masses tribes only otherwise religion has no diverse effects in leadership in Nigeria because the Nigerian seat of power is not a church nor a mosque. It is an administrative centre where policies and programs should have been formulated in the overall interest of all and sundry irrespective of our tribes and religion.
Unless and until the Masses tribes understand that they are the change they need and the change they have been waiting for to move Nigeria forward, We shall continue to pay the supreme price of bad leadership in Nigeria. They must urgently know that Nigeria is not in war because the masterminds and the footsoldiers of the current happenings in Nigeria belong to the Elites and masses tribes.
The problem of Nigeria is common to all irrespective of our identities and unless we do the right thing as citizens who understands our common challenges then we shall continue to be in this bad plight.
Sani Danaudi MohammedNational President,
Arewa Youths Advocate for Peace and Unity Initiative, Writes from Bauchi.
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