Exposing Plans of Fake Hausa Activists & Ba-Zata Mischief Mongers to Cause Confusion and Discord in Northern Nigeria (2)
By Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi
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√ The Motives Behind Establishing an Exclusively Hausa Ethnic Association:
One of the claims being made by the so-called Fake Hausa activists, who are very active on social media, is that their intention is to establish an exclusively Hausa ethnic association, just as smaller ethnic groups do, such as the Fulani with Miyetti Allah and other similar organizations.
But the million Dollar question here is: do the “pure” Hausa people (if ever they exist today) have the right to establish an ethnic association in Nigeria? By the will of Allah, I will now try to answer this question, with some brief and straightforward commentary.
Certainly, it is not only the Hausas who have this right; every citizen has the right to establish or join any association of their choice. This right is guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
This is what Section 40 states: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests:
Provided that the provisions of this section shall not derogate from the powers conferred by this Constitution on the Independent National Electoral Commission with respect to political parties to which that Commission does not accord recognition.”
This clearly means that the Constitution of Nigeria recognizes and grants citizens the right to peaceful assembly and to form associations, whether ethnic, religious, political, professional or those meant to protect workers’ interests and similar purposes.
Based on the law and the fundamental rights of citizens, the “pure” Hausa people, like other ethnic groups, have the right to establish an association to protect their interests, just as other groups such as the Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, and others have done.
However, legally and constitutionally, scholars have repeatedly emphasized that where the right of one citizen begins, that is where the right of another citizen ends. In other words, any association that is to be formed must be within the bounds of the law and public order. It must be founded on the principles of peace and respect for other communities in the country.
I will pause here for today. We shall take up the next part to discuss another important question: for what purpose is the Hausa-only Association being proposed? Is it for a good purpose or for a harmful one?
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