How Col Umar lost his commission

                                          Col Umar Dangiwa (Rtd)

In the beginning Retired Col Umar now 70, was a blue eyed boy, one of them, in the Military Government of Nigeria. As a young Major, he was Chairman of powerful, Federal Housing Authority. Later he was promoted and made Governor of Kaduna State, the hot bed of Northern Political chicanery.

Kaduna is home of the Legendary Kaduna Mafia. While Sokoto is the Spiritual Headquarters of Northern Nigeria, Kaduna was and  still is the political Capital of the north and by extension Nigeria.

For doubters, look no further than Kaduna for opposition to the ambitions of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Recall that opposition to the ambition of MkO Abiola, first found expression in the lips of a prominent son of Kaduna, in the person of Umaru Dikko.

These and more were sacrificed by young Col Umar at a time, he should be enjoying the perks that come from belonging to a favoured group. PMB, as a leader lacks words and at best prefers to follow his mind, rather than carrying the people along with his plans and the sacrifices along the way. In times of challenges, the people need the encouragement of their leaders not those, the stern looks of Tunde Idiagbon and PMB his boss.

It was this gap that IBB exploited with the help of his boys like Umar Dangiwa and Lawan Gwadabe. With June 12, Umar parted ways with his boss IBB. He tried to galvanize support within the Military to get IBB to do the right thing.

In the end, IBB lost his patience with him, got him detained and eventually, courageous and rebellious Umar, chose to let go of his commission. What a man. That IBB let him go is a wonder and a testament to the stuff, Umar is made of. 

Today, he still suffers not fools gladly. His most recent act of bravery was to call out PMB in an open letter. God give us more Umars that our country may be true and just. Amen