Nearly three months after his release from 14 years incarceration in connection with a high profile murder case from which he was eventually cleared, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, today shook Kaduna, the political capital of the North, with a rally believed to have political undertone.

The Arewa Youth Unity Rally convened by Al-Mustapha saw the gathering of youths from 19 northern states and Abuja.

Niger Delta activits Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Archdiocese were, however, conspicuously absent despite being advertised to attend. Bishop Kukah, according to the programme of event, was to deliver a keynote address.

The much-publicised rally has come under serious criticism from politician of northern extraction who view the alliance of Dokubo and Al-Mustapha as a ploy to drum up support for Goodluck Jonathan.
Al-Mustapha in his address however, said the purpose of the rally has been misunderstood.

Al-Mustapha who spoke to the mammoth crowd at the Murtala Muhammad Square in Hausa said: “I have been misunderstood. But I want people to know that money and power is not my concern. It is God that gives power to whoever and whenever he desires.

“Today we have over 22.5 million illiterates and unemployed youths of northern extraction. Therefore, the teeming masses of Nigeria must be served and must be heard today. It’s God that took me to prison and not an individual. My prayer is that northern youths should know that I am a military man and I will soon retire.”

On his relationship with Asari Dokubo, Al-Mustapha said: “When I came out of prison, the people of the South-South spoke to me on peace. Asari Dokubo’s first wife is a Fulani woman, his second wife is a Shew-Arab from Maiduguri, his children are from the North.

“I later understood that some few elements from the North are those planting the seed of discord against the North. Dokubo has regretted his deeds; he has apologised and has also declared his readiness to expose these elements that are bent on causing problem in the country.

“Only 30% attend school in in my home state, Yobe, because of poor leadership and insecurity and nobody is doing anything about it.”

Dr. Steve Orji, the representative of South-East traditional rulers, described Al-Mustapha as a blessing to Nigeria including including himself.

“Most of those who said you should not be here are politicians who want to continue to use you as political thugs while none of their children are schooling abroad. The youth should be part of bringing d unity of the nation,” he said.

Dr. Frederick Fasehun, on his part, described the day as the happiest day of his life.

“Today is the happiest day of my life because the youth of this nation have come together to speak with one voice. No youth is going to remain unemployed. Those that are not employed will get money from their local government areas. No body will remain with hunger anymore,” he said.

•Photo shows Major Al-Mustapha.