The last post was a kind of an intro to this post. The way I see things right now is that Nigerians are yet to understand what it means to be a citizen of a country...come to think of it, have we ever understood it???
Ethnic Clashes and Bias has Always Been Part of Us!
Honestly, ethnic bigotry has always been there from the word go! We never gave Nigeria a chance as we've always been at each other's throat from the very beginning. Even during the struggle for independence, we didn't agree on a particular stance. While a part of the country was not interested, as at that time in independence, the other regions were fighting tooth and nail for independence. The British, I believe, noticed this and saw the opportunity to create chaos and did create it by putting those that are ready and those that said they aren't together as a nation. In the end, what do we have?
Nigeria became one with those that said 'No' to independence taking a leading position while those that proposed it follow. But, really, that's not the problem. Ready or not, those that said 'no' are now part of the great new Nigeria. The Problem is the lack of patience and tolerance that can make us all come to the negotiating table to dialogue and compromise just to forge ahead as a nation.
Yes, they fought for independence, the more reason, in my opinion, why they should be more willing to compromise and move the nation forward. The people of Southern Nigeria, were at the fore front for the struggle for an independent Nigeria. While the South West tend to understand and had moved forward, the South East are still there trying to make a political statement about attaining a political goal that takes something much more than a miracle to achieve without the help of the other regions.
In 1966, there was a coup that involved military officers all of Southern Nigerian origin which toppled a national government that was headed by a Northerner. Of the 5 Majors that led the operation, 4 were from the South East while the remainder was from the South West. My brothers, if you ask me, Nigeria's political boohoo-w aha began with this infamous coup that saw to the assassination of both military and civilians from all over the country except for those from the South East. We are still suffering from the unfortunate incident till date.
Is Disintegration An Option?
The Answer to this question is a BIG fat 'NO'! The Fact that we are yet to be there doesn't mean that we won't get there! The war that broke out as a fall out of the 1966 coup has gone much further to widen the gap between us. But, sincerely, is this the true cause of our woes as a people today? I beg to disagree!
For the fact that the rich of this country, Nigeria, get to shake hands over cups of tea and laugh heartily in Abuja means that the problem is not really political grudges and ethnicity that's tearing Nigeria down. On the Contrary, the real problem is POVERTY & GREED!
Just before the recent general elections, something really funny happened. General Obasanjo was in the Media criticizing Buhari as though if he had the chance to sit with him, he would tell it to his face that he has failed and should resign. But the very next day, the same Obasanjo was at the Villa to attend a meeting that includes former Presidents and he was seen shaking hands like old close friends with the same Buhari he criticized in public barely 24 hours earlier!
I remember one guy from the East expressing his concerns about the safety of the life of the President in the hands of Obasanjo! So many are like this innocent Nigerian who thinks that those at the top are quarrelling that much. Well, the Blunt truth is that whenever you hear of such words as 'Islamization', 'Fulanization' and 'Nepotism' is used by the Elites of Nigeria, please, ignore it, don't take it seriously. It's there way of whipping up sentiments to drive home their personal demands. They have made themselves the mouth piece of their ethnic groups and tribes...more like godfathers that must be appeased at all times. The fact that we act as though they speak for us gives them more leverage to hold the whole country to ransom whenever they so wish and we would be there supporting them BLINDLY!
Take, for instance, the issue of the killer herdsmen. Do you know how it all started, I mean, this is not the first time we are experiencing these type of clashes, how come it is taking centre stage today and why is it that it seems impossible to resolve? My brother, that's another Government Magic! Insha Allah, I shall elaborate on that in the next blog post, do keep a date with me!
Ethnic Clashes and Bias has Always Been Part of Us!
Honestly, ethnic bigotry has always been there from the word go! We never gave Nigeria a chance as we've always been at each other's throat from the very beginning. Even during the struggle for independence, we didn't agree on a particular stance. While a part of the country was not interested, as at that time in independence, the other regions were fighting tooth and nail for independence. The British, I believe, noticed this and saw the opportunity to create chaos and did create it by putting those that are ready and those that said they aren't together as a nation. In the end, what do we have?
Nigeria became one with those that said 'No' to independence taking a leading position while those that proposed it follow. But, really, that's not the problem. Ready or not, those that said 'no' are now part of the great new Nigeria. The Problem is the lack of patience and tolerance that can make us all come to the negotiating table to dialogue and compromise just to forge ahead as a nation.
Yes, they fought for independence, the more reason, in my opinion, why they should be more willing to compromise and move the nation forward. The people of Southern Nigeria, were at the fore front for the struggle for an independent Nigeria. While the South West tend to understand and had moved forward, the South East are still there trying to make a political statement about attaining a political goal that takes something much more than a miracle to achieve without the help of the other regions.
In 1966, there was a coup that involved military officers all of Southern Nigerian origin which toppled a national government that was headed by a Northerner. Of the 5 Majors that led the operation, 4 were from the South East while the remainder was from the South West. My brothers, if you ask me, Nigeria's political boohoo-w aha began with this infamous coup that saw to the assassination of both military and civilians from all over the country except for those from the South East. We are still suffering from the unfortunate incident till date.
Is Disintegration An Option?
The Answer to this question is a BIG fat 'NO'! The Fact that we are yet to be there doesn't mean that we won't get there! The war that broke out as a fall out of the 1966 coup has gone much further to widen the gap between us. But, sincerely, is this the true cause of our woes as a people today? I beg to disagree!
For the fact that the rich of this country, Nigeria, get to shake hands over cups of tea and laugh heartily in Abuja means that the problem is not really political grudges and ethnicity that's tearing Nigeria down. On the Contrary, the real problem is POVERTY & GREED!
Just before the recent general elections, something really funny happened. General Obasanjo was in the Media criticizing Buhari as though if he had the chance to sit with him, he would tell it to his face that he has failed and should resign. But the very next day, the same Obasanjo was at the Villa to attend a meeting that includes former Presidents and he was seen shaking hands like old close friends with the same Buhari he criticized in public barely 24 hours earlier!
I remember one guy from the East expressing his concerns about the safety of the life of the President in the hands of Obasanjo! So many are like this innocent Nigerian who thinks that those at the top are quarrelling that much. Well, the Blunt truth is that whenever you hear of such words as 'Islamization', 'Fulanization' and 'Nepotism' is used by the Elites of Nigeria, please, ignore it, don't take it seriously. It's there way of whipping up sentiments to drive home their personal demands. They have made themselves the mouth piece of their ethnic groups and tribes...more like godfathers that must be appeased at all times. The fact that we act as though they speak for us gives them more leverage to hold the whole country to ransom whenever they so wish and we would be there supporting them BLINDLY!
Take, for instance, the issue of the killer herdsmen. Do you know how it all started, I mean, this is not the first time we are experiencing these type of clashes, how come it is taking centre stage today and why is it that it seems impossible to resolve? My brother, that's another Government Magic! Insha Allah, I shall elaborate on that in the next blog post, do keep a date with me!
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