Kaduna mafia: Metamorphosis of a power broker

MUHAMMAD SABIU writes that the once powerful Kaduna Mafia might have largely fizzled out of the nation’s power game, but remnants of the group still make the city of Kaduna their base, even as it is believed that it is in the process of reinventing itself.

YOUNG Nigerians below the age of 30 might not have any idea of what Kaduna Mafia stands for, but even for some others, they needed to be reminded that the once powerful Kaduna Mafia existed in the 1970s up to the late 1990s. It was a group of Northern elite in collaboration with their southern counterparts, who had so much political influence in the country. For instance, they met mostly in Kaduna to take far-reaching political decisions that affect the nation and by extension the economy. To succeed as a national leader, one has to dance to the tune of the anonymous but power-wielding group or else that leader would soon lose power.

However, over the years, the activities of the Kaduna Mafia have faded due to a number of factors, the most obvious reason being that several of them had died leaving only a few, who along the line might have lost relevance in the current power game. It was for this reason that some people have argued that the current Kaduna Mafia only exists on paper. Others, however, believe that the remnants might have in fact crept back into power.

History of Kaduna Mafia 

The northernisation policy embarked by the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, was said to have paved way for the establishment of the Kaduna Mafia. At the time of Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the Northern region was apparently behind the rest of the two other regions. So, in order to be able to catch up with them, the late premier embarked on massive recruitment of northerners into the civil service as well as the military. Many young northerners were recruited but they did not have the prerequisite qualification to run such offices. Subsequently, many of them were sent for overseas training.

Among the pioneer civil servants who benefited from this policy were Ahmed Talib, Yahaya Gusau, Liman Ciroma, Ali Akilu, Adamu Ciroma, Adamu Fika, Hamza Zayyad, Muhammad Bello, Mamman Daura, Mahmud Tukur, Ahmed Joda, MT Usman, including Generals Shehu Musa Yardua, Yakubu Gowon, General Hassan Katsina, and a host of others who became part of the military group within the mafia.

Core Interests of the group  

In 1966, when the premier, Ahmadu Bello was killed in what was regarded as the first military coup in the country by a group of young officers mainly from the eastern part of the country, this group of young northerners saw the need to come together, not only to promote the interest of northerners, but also to hold onto power at the centre. Findings gathered that the earlier named personalities were not only concerned about holding power in the north, but by extension the whole of Nigeria.

According to an insider who did not want to be named, the mafia worked assiduously to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and did not live flamboyant lifestyles.

“They also ensured that the system worked smoothly in the country. If they noticed anything wrong they drew the attention of the appropriate people in positions of authority to effect the desired changes. They were highly influential and, contrary to what many people held to be true, its membership cut across every part of the nation and different backgrounds. At that time, many of them had houses in Kaduna because it was the headquarters of Northern Nigeria and the place was convenient to hold meetings and make things work,” the source said.

How the mafia fizzled out 

Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, member of the Politics Committee of the Arewa Consultative Forum, who spoke on the mafia recently, confirmed that though the Kaduna Mafia was powerful in the past, it is no longer the case.

“I was an errand boy for them. It was not a registered organisation. The members were only concerned with the protection of the welfare of the people irrespective of their ethnic or religious background. They did everything possible to correct any wrongdoings against the people but their activities were discreet. I ran errands for them to different places including Lagos. I carried urgent messages that needed implementation to confront challenges facing Nigeria,” he said.

Those in the know also told Arewa Live that the reason the group has largely fizzled out was because people have become greedy, selfish and crazy about money acquisition and so could not engage in selfless services that the old Kaduna Mafia engaged in.

Still in power? 

Some social commentators would argue that some members of the Kaduna Mafia still exist. Some of those still around are said to include Maman Daura, a former Editor of the New Nigerian newspapers and cousin of President Muhammadu Buhari; Dr. Maman Tukur, elder brother of former Peoples Democratic Party’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and Mohammed Bello, father of the present minister of Federal Capital Territory as three surviving members of the Kaduna Mafia, who are still very influential in the current administration.

These personalities are said to have facilitated the appointments of several members of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Some of the key appointees who are beneficiaries include Abba Kyari,, present chief of staff at the presidency; Minister of state for Trade, Aisha Abubakar; Minister of FCT, Bello Mohammed and the Minister of  Education, Adamu Adamu.

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The transformation 

According to Arewa Live findings it was the Kaduna Mafia that transformed into what later came to be known as the Committee of Concerned Citizens of Nigeria. The group used to meet at the Metropolitan Club, Ikoyi, in Victoria Island, Lagos. At a time they published a list of 33 members which included Professor.Ben Nwabueze, Akintola Williams, Rotimi Williams, among others.

Though the Kaduna Mafia might have been depleted in number due to various factors, it is still significant to note that some very powerful individuals in the group still make Kaduna their base. The city is still home to those who call the shots in the nation’s political space including the movers and shakers of the society in the country.