By Murtala Bello
General Christopher Gwabin Musa raised issues that demand serious reflection. Sadly, some Northerners have turned his comments into another divisive political battle.
What should have been a moment to examine the challenges facing Northern Nigeria has quickly degenerated into a contest between supporters and critics of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Musa’s assessment, particularly of the El-Rufai administration and the divisions that emerged in Kaduna, should not be reduced to a personal confrontation between two prominent figures.
For me, the real question is not whether one supports Musa or El-Rufai. The question is whether the issues raised by the Minister of Defence deserve honest examination.
Northern Nigeria has suffered enormously from insecurity, communal violence, political disagreements, and social divisions. Pretending that these problems do not exist will not make them disappear.
That is why I believe Musa was telling Northerners a truth that many have been reluctant to confront. But instead of asking difficult questions, some people have chosen to attack the messenger.
Ironically, some of the same Northerners who constantly preach unity are now using Musa’s comments to deepen the very divisions they claim to oppose.
Every statement is now being interpreted through the lens of political loyalty. If you support El-Rufai, you are expected to reject Musa completely. If you agree with Musa, you are immediately labelled as being against El-Rufai.
This is dangerous.
We cannot build a peaceful and prosperous North by making loyalty to individual politicians more important than the welfare of ordinary people.
Whether Musa is right or wrong on specific allegations, his comments provide an opportunity for Northerners to examine what happened in Kaduna and other parts of the region.
If there are claims that are inaccurate, let them be challenged with facts. If there are allegations that require evidence, let evidence be presented. But shouting, insults, and political mobilisation will not solve anything.
The North has more serious problems to worry about than political quarrels. Banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, poverty, unemployment, and the destruction of livelihoods continue to affect millions of our people.
Our leaders and citizens must therefore learn to separate issues from personalities. Criticising a former governor should not become an attack on an entire region, just as defending a former governor should not require dismissing every concern raised about his administration.
I am particularly concerned that some Northerners are turning Musa’s comments into an ethnic or sectional argument. That is precisely the wrong direction. We should be seeking reconciliation, understanding, and justice rather than reopening old wounds for political advantage.
General Musa did not create every division that exists in Northern Nigeria. His comments have simply brought some uncomfortable questions back into public discussion.
The mature response is to confront those questions honestly. We must be able to say where our leaders succeeded, where they failed, and what lessons should be learned, without turning every conversation into a political war.
The North needs truth more than propaganda, accountability more than blind loyalty, and unity more than political hero worship.
So, rather than turning General Musa’s comments into another divisive controversy, Northerners should listen carefully, examine the facts, and ask ourselves what must be done differently.
Musa spoke the truth as he understood it. Our responsibility is not to turn that truth into another war, but to use the conversation to heal our divisions and build a better North.
Murtala Bello wrote in from Sokoto.
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Editor’s Note:
This opinion piece reflects the views of the author and does not necessarily represent the editorial stance of this publication. We welcome diverse perspectives on issues of public interest and encourage readers to engage respectfully in the conversation.
