Opinion: New IGP – Why Progressive Northerners Should be Embarrassed by Farooq Kperogi
In August 2015, when I first publicly voiced out my disapproval of what I called the embarrassingly undisguised 'Arewacentricity' of Buhari’s appointments, a few people, mostly southerners, asked why I was bothered since I'm a northern Muslim who is “favored” by such appointments—“favored,” that is, on the emotional and symbolic plane.
I was and still am—bothered for at least four reasons.
One, I criticized similar such parochial appointments by previous presidents from the South. It would be hypocritical to look the other way because I'm now “favored” by such appointments. (Yes, I have more friends and acquaintances in powerful positions in this government than I’ve ever had since 1999).
Two, Buhari came to power on the promise of “change,” on the promise of doing things differen...