Open Letter To FUNAM 

Some disturbing controversies concerning the Fulani race and the activities of the Fulani Ethnic Nationality Movement (FUNAM) in the past few years, can no longer be ignored. World Encylopeadia describes the Fulani as “primitive race of people of the savannas of Western Sudan; with brown skin. They are a Hamitic people, and have a nomadic lifestyle”.
Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice, is a representation of the race of people of the savannas, of Arab origin, who allegedly invaded and conquered Spain until finally driven out in 1492. Not only are the Fulani a nomadic and wandering race of people, their occupation and lifestyle bring them in contact with other races and ethnic groups, giving rise to mixed breeding and integration. Therefore, the Fulani race cuts across several regions and countries, with trading, military and the rearing of cattle as major activities associated with the unique race. There are political elite too.
Various extractions of the Fulani race are easily hired as mercenaries, of which Shakespeare’s Othello is a classic example. In Sudan, Morocco and other countries,  some extractions of the Fulani are notable for preparation of charms, amulets, or consulted as diviners, seers and marabouts, whose magical feats can be fascinating. Some go about in the company of herdsmen, as snake charmers. Thus they are rarely afraid of ferocious and dangerous animals in the savana grasslands, where they can live for several years.  Fulani women folk are as resilient and enigmatic as the men too, for they have such stamina that they can give birth to babies in hostile environments, and walk long distances without any need for medical services. Like the Gypsies, the Fulani race retained customs in nomadic life and physical resilience from the Middle Ages, with little change in the modern times. However, the Fulani race is endowed with a unique mindset, which makes them see the vast territories of the earth as common heritage, where there should be an unhindered access.
The Fulani stock in diaspora are scattered across West Africa, and those of them in Nigeria have been described as having no roots or ideological learning, except the use of Islam as a weapon for political and economic hegemony. Thus during retired General Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidency, the clamour for Sharia Law to hold sway in northern states was at the peak. Its proponents argued that Sharia law  would reduce crime rate, promote Islam, enhance north’s political relevance and position the north to retrieve and hold power from the South. There was also the desire to attract grants from Arab nations, especially with Nigeria as a member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). However, the clamour for  Sharia Law was seen as a veil  to entrench northern Oligarchy.
The News Magazine, 24 July, 2000, wrote: “There is an institutionalised policy deliberately denying the existence of indigenous Northern Christians in the core-Northern States by claiming that 99.9 percent of the population is Muslim” (p.64). Such Northern indigenes who are non-Muslim, have a right to be protected in a democratic Nigeria, as a secular nation. Surely the Fulani in diaspora is a formidable force to reckon with; thanks to Islamic brotherhood. But when a state governor would say that “Islamising the state was a 1999 campaign promise fulfilled”, then there is an affront on the ideals of democracy.
There is a disturbing video going viral in the social media recently, where Nigerians are being told that Fulani jihadists are ready to take over Nigeria as a territory handed over to the Fulani by the British. There was a mention of the fact that key strong holds in Southern Nigeria are not only under the control of Fulani master-strategists, but also alluded to southerners as being “slaves” of the Fulani. Obviously anybody watching that trending video would feel bitter and as being under serious threats.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo first blew the whistle officially about Islamisation and Fulanisation agenda a few years ago. But far back, immediately after 1960, it became obvious to a few discerning Nigerians that the Northern power block had some hidden agenda, of which the 1966 military coup was a reaction. We may deny it, but a statement about “dipping the Qur’an in the Atlantic ocean”, provided some impetus for religious zealotry and fanaticism, whose tempo continues to wax strong. Similarly, for a spokesperson of the FUNAM to have announced that there exists a standing Fulani taskforce on jihadism, should have made Nigeria ‘s security agencies to bridle such activists.
Religious war, once it begins, the extent of damage and disruptions that would follow, can hardly be predicted, neither would pocket of conflicts cease easily. Currently the actions and utterances of various religious zealots and fanatics in Nigeria, are not helping matters, of which public lynching features as an example of fanaticism. But the situation becomes sadder when security agencies appear to be helpless in curtailing actions and utterances capable of plunging the country into a state of disaster. The case of Afghanistan took a similar pattern as what is going on in Nigeria, with bandits and other lawless groups playing the role that the Talibans did in Afghanistan. Would Nigeria become a better nation if Islam and Sharia Law dethrone other religions?
The tussles and animosities between Western and Islamic culture and worldview, resulting in the rise of aggressive movements like Al-Qaeda, ISWAP, Boko Haram, etc, are indicators that the two dominant religions of mankind have failed humanity. The other alternative can also be that humans have failed to live up to the true tenets of the existing religions. However, the militant and aggressive postures of proselytism are quite condemnable, as a means of advancing human status. Where aggressiveness and coercion feature in religion, the obvious conclusion is that narrow-mindedness fuels fanaticism.
The plight and state of some of the Fulani race in diaspora are pathetic and calling for some intervention by state authorities. In Nigeria there had been programmes intended to rehabilitate migrant or nomadic herdsmen, of which many universities in the North are handling such tasks. But such programmes cannot be successful in a situation where formal education, associated with Western cultures, is seen as abominable. To reject Western education and yet patronise the products and benefits of such education, cannot be described as reasonable.
For the Fulani race to allow the tag of terrorism to stick on to them would be used as mercenaries by power merchants and ruthless economic parasites. The issue of settlement in a homeland, like the Jews in diaspora, cannot be achieved by blusters and subterfuge. So, leaders of Fulani Ethnic Nationality Movement, should use dialogue and peaceful  means to pursue their   goal, rather than become terrorists and bandits. State authorities should bridle provoking activities of the Fulanis.

By: Bright Amirize

Dr Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.