Also published in DAILY TRUST
Just
as almost everything Nigerian in nature is typically ironic, the country turns
51 year “young” tomorrow. Equally ironic is how such annual event in Nigeria is
largely overshadowed by counting the cost accrued over the decades of being a
country as such. Incidentally, ever since her independence, the very issue of
whether the country should remain together or not has never died down. The
situation escalated in the mid 60s when a civil war erupted that lasted for
about four years through which millions of lives and properties were lost.
Though ever since then, there has been no any other civil war again, counting
costly costs has never ceased anyway, and is not likely to cease either, in
view of the recurring breakouts of ethno-religious and other social conflicts
all over the land.
Interestingly
enough, after more than 50 years of independence, Nigeria should have by now
found, natured and established the necessary common grounds sound enough to
bind her diverse ethno-religious groups into a viable modern country. So, the
obvious failure in this regard is by all standards catastrophic enough to
warrant a fundamental change in approach, with a view to finding a lasting
solution to this dilemma.
Such
change could also be as fundamental as reviewing the very bases of the
continued coexistence of the various ethno-religious groups that make up the
country. As a matter of fact, in view of the persistent erosion of her already
fragile foundation, the continued degeneration of socio-economic situations,
which unleash chronic hopelessness all over the land, that particular approach
could be the only remaining realistic option for the country, lest it drips
into an uncontrollable chaos, which could be too overwhelming to allow for even
counting the cost.
Unfortunately, however, despite the criticality of these circumstances, the country’s successive regimes have neither done enough to arrest the situation nor shown any serious commitment to address what caused the situation in the first place. Instead they always downplay its possible repercussion under some silly pretexts while the country steadily crumbles under their watch. They apparently count on their option of fleeing (along with their families) to their standby abodes in, say, America, Europe or Dubai, in case of any eventuality. Incidentally, an increasing number of Nigerian officials actually maintain their substantive homes aboard, they only maintain presence in Nigeria to the extent of what their official appointments and/or businesses require. As a matter of fact, many of them also hold American or European citizenships as well.
Capitalizing
on such official apathy on one hand, and on the worsening socio-economic
conditions on the other, many unscrupulous tribal and religious bigots promote
ethno-religious mistrust and hatred. Consequently, the average Nigerians’
perceptions, aspirations and hopes (if any) differ sharply from one another,
and worse still is how such differences are increasingly becoming too
conflicting to harmonize.
For instance, while Niger Deltans still pursue their dream of secession from Nigeria, MASSOB and OPC want to create Biafra and Ooduo republics out of Nigeria respectively. Meanwhile, Boko Haram struggles to impose Shari’a in the whole of Nigeria, which prompted the emergence of a newly formed Christian militia, Akhwat Akwop, to challenge Boko Haram’s ambition. All these, besides many other cells of violent groups scattered all over the country.
The
ruling elite aren’t different either, only that their conspiracy to loot
the country prevails over their ethno-religious differences, which explains why
once a particular elite loses out in the looting game, he pretends to turn into
an advocate of the right of his particular people.
Even
in less crucial issues, Nigerians hardly share the same perception. There is
hardly any nationally-accepted statesman or hero, both among the past and
present leaders. For example, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo is revered to the
extent of virtual idolization in the South-west, yet the same man is considered
a bloody betrayer in the Southeast. Similarly, late General Murtala Mohammed is
overwhelmingly revered across the Northern part of the country, yet he is
regarded as a war criminal in the South-east. Likewise, Chief Odumegu Ojukwu is
considered the most respected personality in the Southeast, while he is seen by
the rest of the country particularly the North as a vanquished and disgraced
rebel leader.
Notwithstanding
whether the aforementioned personalities fit into such stereotypes or not, the
situation simply reflects how the country has no common grounds on things as
simple as history and aspiration. Hence the need to review the very foundation
(if any) on which the country was established in the first place is indeed
imperative. This is not only to diffuse tension but to (most importantly) avoid
unnecessary deterioration likely to lead to preventable upheavals, the costs of
which could be too much to count.
This process is necessary because (unless are inviting anarchy) splitting a political entity of almost 100 years of existence is not that simple as many people assume, nor that straightforward which once a particular region(s) is removed the other regions will in no time transform into Dubai of a sort, as some are made to believe. The socio-economic, political, cultural, ethno-religious, commercial, familial, demographical and territorial interconnectivities, which have bound Nigerians together over such a long period of time, can’t be simply severed with a stroke of a pen.
For instance, one may wonder how many countries
the country should be divided into and on what bases? If ethno-religious basis
is considered, for example, then what will be the fate of the cluster of
ethno-religious minorities amidst the major ethno-religious groups? Likewise,
if it is considered on regional basis, where should the border demarcations be?
It is therefore imperative to be sincere enough to take on this issue with real
commitment to solving it once and for all so that the country either as united
or divided could take off.
