THE CONTINUATION OF THE 1983 ‘GHANA MUST GO’ SAGA IN NIGERIA:
BACKGROUND OF THE MAITATSINE SAGA :
Mohammed Marwa is from Northern Cameroon, and was nicknamed Maitatsine.
The meaning of Maitatsine in Hausa is “the one who Damns” and refers to his Curse-laden public speeches against the Nigerian State.
He was just a controversial preacher. In 1945, After Maitatsine’s Education, he moved to Kano State, Nigeria, where he became known for his Controversial Preachings using the Qur’an.
During the Colonial rule, The British Colonial Authorities sent him into Exile, but he returned to Kano shortly after independence. Maitatsine claimed to be a Prophet, and saw himself as a Mujaddid in the image of Sheikh Usman dan Fodio.
Although he was a Koranic Scholar, he seemingly rejected the hadith and the Sunnah and regarded the reading of any other book but the Koran as Paganism.Maitatsine spoke against the use of Radios, Watches, Bicycles, Cars, having of more money than necessary, he condemned Western Culture, Education, and refers to anyone who sent his child to school as an “infidel,” which is echoed in the contemporary Boko Haram movement of today.
By 1972 he had a notable and increasingly militant following known as Yan Tatsine.
In 1975 he was again arrested by Nigerian Police for slander and public abuse of Political Authorities, But by that Period, he had already began to receive acceptance from religious authorities, especially after making hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.
As his followers increased in the 1970s, so did the number of confrontations between his adherents and the Police.
His preaching attracted largely a following of Youths, Unemployed Migrants, and those who felt that mainstream Muslim teachers were not doing enough for their communities.
And also poor men, particularly former seasonal laborers economically displaced by the Oil boom.
Prior to the Oil boom the urban poor were regarded as worthy recipients of Islamic charity; against the backdrop of economic
changes—which included inflation and the destruction of the petty mercantile economy—they were looked at as hooligans and thieves.
Thus, the specially and Economically Marginalized were receptive to Marwa’s Anti-Government message and exclusivist Religious Outlook.
In 1979, Maitatsine reportedly rejected the prophethood of Mohammed and portrayed himself as an annạbi (Hausa for “prophet).In December 1980, during Yan Tatsine attacks in Kano, the Police requested for the Aid of the Nigerian Army.
The Clash between the group and the military led to the deaths of over 5,000 people, including Maitatsine himself.
Remember, Maitatsine was a Cameroonian,n ot Nigerian.
Let’s Continue ..
It must also be noted that there had existed an Old wound in the Nigeria-Ghana relationship back in 1969 when the Ghanaian Government effected the Alien’s Compliance Order. Nigerians and other African immigrants were banished on the claim that the economy of Ghana was in depression. So, many Nigerians were chased out of Ghana.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back which Culminated in the Deportation Saga of the African Immigrants during the Shehu Safari’s Government, was the Robbery Incident at Alex Ekwueme’s house.
Alexander Ekwueme, the then Nigerian Vice President was robbed by a group of armed robbers which consisted mainly of Immigrants.
When the robbers were caught by the police, it was discovered that two of them were Ghanaian. This revelation sent the whole of Nigeria in rage. Instant action was taken by the Nigerian Government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On the 17th of January, 1983, the Nigerian Minister of Internal Affairs, Alhaji Alli Baba, announced the immediate expulsion of all illegal immigrants in Nigeria within two weeks.
President Shehu Shagari also added in a Statements,
“If they don’t leave, they should be arrested and tried, and sent back to their homes. Illegal immigrants under normal circumstances, should not be given any notice whatsoever. If you break a law, then you have to pay for it.” Panic gripped all immigrants without papers in Nigeria for it was the least expected action of the Nigerian government. Over 1 million Ghanaians were thrown into confusion and indecision.
It was rumored that the Federal government gave power to Nigerians to confront any alien after the ultimatum given to leave. This scared the expatriates and sent them fleeing with and without their luggage.
Those who could pack their belongings used the biggest of bags available which happened to be the big bag which is now referred to today as Ghana must go.
This mass deportation met global criticisms. The act was condemned by many humanitarian organizations across the Globe.
To be continued…….
About The Author
