Northern Groups Vs Ndigbo: A Nation that swims in Hypocrisy and Tribalism-The Sardonicism of Forced Union
"Let it be very clear that, I am not a fan of IPOB or a supporter of Biafra but I am in support of freedom to agitate for fairness, justice and equity. Ordinarily, I shouldn't have written this commentary but I had to do so after reading the press statement of the so called Northern... Read More
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"Let it be very clear that, I am not a fan of IPOB or a supporter of Biafra but I am in support of freedom to agitate for fairness, justice and equity. Ordinarily, I shouldn't have written this commentary but I had to do so after reading the press statement of the so called Northern Consensus Movement (NCM), which am hearing for the very first time"
By Mark C. Orgu, June 19, 2021, News/Comments
COMMENTARY-Tony Tebekaemi, had captured in his foreword of a book titled " The Twelve-Day Revolution" written by Major Isaac Jaspar Adaka Boro, the immortal Niger Delta freedom fighter that, Nigeria has been in the verge of importing tribalism and nepotism after gallantly gaining independence from the colonial masters. "Nigeria gained independence in 1960, and the British colonialists left, bequeathing their administrative mess to an ethnically-based policy, presided over by three major tribes, the Hause-Fulani, the Yorubas, and the Ibos. But Tribalism is like sand; you hardly build a house on it that endures the test of nature's elements. Nigeria's foundation was rocked when the big three tore at one another's throats, while the minorities groaned over their deprivation of the national cake, in silence. It was obvious in those days that anyone outside the three major tribes who challenged the status-quo was only asking for destruction of his race" This is what has kept Nigeria in the dark for years- a country that blatantly refused to learn from history. Sadly, history keeps repeating itself and keep dropping dynamites prepared for explosion any time.
Why are we in a serious mess of pretence, preaching one Nigeria whereas, within, it is a rehearsal of falsehood, why do we pretend that all is well, whereas, it is the opposite? Why can't we just sincerely come together and diligently discuss how we can build a formidable Nigeria where equal right and justice become our pride. Why do we always want to add salt to injury, why can't we just see the need to heal the land? Can issuing threat here and there solve our problem? Certainly, no.
Yes, there is no doubt that the Amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorate in January 1, 1914 was done for selfish agenda of the British, knowing fully well that the South and North cannot unanimously share same belief, culture and economic prosperity. It was very clear that even before and after independence, that the three major acclaimed tribes in Nigeria were accustomed to the ideal of " My people first" and any other tribe is secondary. Indeed, only God can tell when competency will enjoy the richness of this great country of ours. Anyway, my annoyance of writing this piece was because of the various threats coming from one end of the country to another, rather than us coming together to prefer solution to our look-like- insolvable challenges trying to consume us as a nation. But what do we see, divisive elements who come out with fictional names here and there, issuing of threat and see themselves as Lords of the ring" Nonsense"
For what I understand from history or all over the world, agitators of freedom are always been invited for talks and negotiations, and probably a compromise is reached. This is not the case in Nigeria. All we see is anger and anger everywhere- a bad omen and it has not helped the country at any point in time.
No Nation strive in such an ideological environment. Now, am still hallucinating why 75 Northern Groups could just suddenly come together and issue a press statement placing a ransom of N100M (One hundred million Naira) for anyone that can capture the leader of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, alleging that he is responsible for the destruction and killing of some northerners in the southeast. Very laughable. Let it be very clear that, I am not a fan of IPOB or a supporter of Biafra but I am in support of freedom to agitate for fairness, justice and equity. Ordinarily, I shouldn't have written this commentary but I had to do so after reading the press statement of the so called Northern Consensus Movement (NCM), which am hearing for the very first time. Their release by Dr. Awwal Aliyu, is unnecessary at a time like this we all sort for peace. Here is their statement:
"The Northern Consensus Movement, an amalgamation of more than 75 civil society groups of Northern extraction, has taken it upon ourselves, as active citizens of this country, Nigeria, to state in unequivocal terms that:"We are declaring Nnamdi Kanu wanted for crimes against humanity and for instigating the killing of innocent Northerners in the southeast via his hate speech. We want him to answer for the killing and destruction of Northerners residing and undertaking lawful businesses in the southeastern part of Nigeria. "So, we are placing a bounty of N100m as an offer to anyone who can produce him alive, hale, hearty, and uninjured to us for onward delivery to the security agencies for the continuation of his prosecution. We call on both the US, the UK, and the EU, a champions of democracy, rule of law, and freedoms of speech and expression to kindly and humble respect Nigeria's sovereignty and facilitate the repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu to Nigeria so that he can face his treason, and possibly a fresh terrorism and genocide charges against innocent citizens of Nigeria."
My question is that, of what purpose are these so called Northern groups trying to achieve, distabilise the country more and create more tribal war. Are they aware that the two most dangerous war is tribal and religious war, that no one can ever win; very sad that Nigeria is at the peak of destruction if leaders do not caution their constituents?
My first reaction after reading this was that, are we truly one Nigeria, is Nnamdi Kanu the problem of Nigeria, why shouldn't this so called Northern groups place ransom for Fulani herders killing, raping and maiming people's wives, kidnapping and destroying farmland, why can't they issue a ransom for bandits kidnapping school children and causing pains to families, why can't they issue a ransom to ouster some of their leaders who have been in power and had impoverished their people, why can't they issue a ransom to Boko Haram leader and its members who have killed many in their region. This is the height of hypocrisy and insensitivity of all time. Is this how a nation can be healed of her wounds, never, it can't. These people should be call to order by their Northern leaders
Now, Ohanaeze Ndigbo have also replied NCM, warning them to trade with caution. That no region has the monopoly for threat, and went further to ask NCM, why have they not issued such threat to herders and Boko Haram who have held this country hostage. Ndigbo didn't stop there, they accused NCM of plotting a coup with wrong intention to fabricated lies against their long awaited Presidency agenda in 2023. This was part of the statement released by the Organisation through its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro on Friday, who faulted the move and accused the warring factions in the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle association.
"We want to tell the groups being sponsored by some northern presidential aspirants to place the bounty on the new leader of Boko Haram terrorist group, that had just emerged after the death of Shekau. Nnamdi Kanu has an address in London or in Germany where his headquarters of IPOB is. There is no need of searching for Kanu. He is not in Nigeria, he has an address in London as a British citizen. They should just use the N100 million bounty given to them by northern politicians, who are trying to destabilize the southeast to have easy root for the 2023 presidential ticket of major political parties in Nigeria, especially of the PDP"
"They should place the bounty on Shekau's successor who has no address, who is living in the forest, the terrorist group that took arms against the government for the last six years. They should not cry more than the bereaved, we will take care of the southeast and ensure normalcy returns. As far as we are concerned, that bounty is inconsequential and political. It is not necessary, only a means to continue to heat up tension in the polity."
If we continue like this, there is the tendency that, there might be no Nigeria again because, a continuous abuse of privileges by our Northern brothers and other ethnic groups in the country will heat up the politics more and more and it will be difficult to curtail when it gets out of hand. So, at this time, what we need now is peace and understanding, love and dialogue on how we can build the fallen wall of Nigeria. This is what we should be promoting and throw away tribalism, hypocrisy, nepotism, and pride of no avail.
Mark C. Orgu, wrote from Lagos, a public affairs analyst and social commentator. (08066169765)
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