Nigeria, July 15 -- "How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle..how are the mighty fallen and the weapons of war perished!" - 2 Samuel 1:25-27.

With yesterday's tragic passing, it is clear that the last of the three great Mahdis and most formidable warriors and messianic leaders of Northern Nigeria has finally fallen.

The first was Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, who founded and established the Sokoto Caliphate; the second was Sir Ahmadu Bello, who was the erstwhile premier of the old Northern Region and the Sardauna of Sokoto; while the third was General Muhammadu Buhari, who was the immediate past president of Nigeria and the man who was commonly referred to by the Northern masses as 'Mai Gaskiya.'

All three were revered by their peop...