We Are Not One": Hausa People Speak Out Against Fulani Dominance and Segregation in Northern Nigeria

We Are Not One": Hausa People Speak Out Against Fulani Dominance and Segregation in Northern Nigeria In a growing wave of ethnic assert...

We Are Not One": Hausa People Speak Out Against Fulani Dominance and Segregation in Northern Nigeria

In a growing wave of ethnic assertion in northern Nigeria, some Hausa voices are publicly distancing themselves from the long-standing "Hausa-Fulani" label, accusing Fulani elites of political dominance, marginalization, and complicity in violence against Hausa communities. A representative from what appears to be an indigenous Hausa advocacy group in Kano expressed deep frustration, stating that historical aspirations for unity have been eroded by perceived segregation and inequity.

"We wanted the relationship to keep going, but because of the marginalization that we are seeing against our race, that is why we have to speak up," the speaker said. He directly challenged the narrative of seamless intermarriage and assimilation: "The talk of saying that Hausa people have intermarried with Fulani, that is why they are now one. No, we are not one. We wanted to be one, but because they are segregating us, so we are no longer one."

The grievances center on political representation, particularly in Kano State, a historic Hausa heartland. Critics claim that Hausa individuals occupy few high-level political appointments or elective positions, with power allegedly concentrated among those of Fulani descent. "If we are one, Hausa people too supposed to be seen occupying political positions," the speaker argued. "In Kano, my state, you can hardly see a government official that is a political appointee that is Hausa. There are Hausas, but they are very, very few."

This sentiment echoes broader online and community discussions alleging that, despite Hausa forming the overwhelming majority of Kano's population (often estimated at around 85%, with Fulani at about 12%), key posts including the governorship, deputy, and many local government chairmanships, have been dominated by Fulani figures in recent years. Activists point to figures suggesting only a small fraction of the state's 44 local government chairmen are Hausa, framing it as systemic exclusion rather than demographic reality.

The speaker described the situation as a "Hausa genocide," alleging that Fulani groups hold an "upper hand" and that Hausa farming communities suffer disproportionately from banditry, kidnappings, and raids violence frequently attributed to Fulani-linked criminal networks, though analysts note complex drivers including poverty, arms proliferation, and cycles of reprisals between herders and farmers.

"Nobody from the North, from all my state... say, 'Oh, this thing is happening to Hausa people. Let us come out and help Hausa people,'" he lamented. Instead, some northern voices reportedly emphasize impacts on Fulani communities. He argued that a Hausa leader in a high position would prioritize defending "my people," highlighting a perceived lack of solidarity.

The "Hausa-Fulani" identity emerged from centuries of interaction, including the 19th-century Fulani jihad led by Usman dan Fodio, which established Islamic emirates across Hausaland, blending cultures, languages, and ruling elites under a shared Muslim identity. For generations, the composite label served as a political and cultural bloc in Nigerian politics, dominating northern affairs.

However, escalating banditry and rural insecurity since the mid-2010s have strained this alliance. Hausa farming villages have been primary targets of kidnappings for ransom and attacks, prompting the formation of local vigilante groups. In response, some Fulani communities report indiscriminate reprisals. This cycle has fueled mutual suspicions, with "Fulani" increasingly linked to insecurity in Hausa narratives, while some Fulani voices decry stigmatization.

Recent social media and community statements reflect this awakening: phrases like "Hausas have woken up" and rejections of Fulani political dominance appear in discussions, alongside calls for Hausa-led governance in "Hausaland." Videos and posts from Kano and other areas emphasize reclaiming distinct Hausa identity separate from Fulani influence.