Igbos, Secession And Separatism

There are basically two types of Igbos. The Zikist nationalist and Ojukwu separatist. I belong to the later by default but over the years, I have transformed to the former only on these caveats. First, for Nigeria to make significant progress, it must begin immediately to take cogent steps towards restructuring the country towards true federalism. The call have been incessant from the south while the north vehemently oppose any form of restructuring for reasons which are rarely discussed but every one is in the know — crude oil. The oil in the Niger Delta is the love portion that has made the north like a jealous lover even ready to pour acid on the lover that seeks to severe their relationship. Former VP Atiku has been on the forefront of the calls for restructuring and he has articulated what we need to do prominent are fiscal federalism, state police and devolution of powers to the states and LGAs and expunging the exclusive list. Second, Igbo presidency is imperative to assuage the southeast and ensure the mantra that Nigeria belongs to us all isn’t just mere talk.

Now these are the only premises on which I will remain a Zikist nationalist but given the current situation where the present administration of President is reluctant and insist we should continue the same system which has dwarfed the country since independence with the attorney general of the federation echoing that no amount of agitation can bring about restructuring, I have begin to tilt more towards Ojukwu separatistism. It is foolishness to continue doing the same thing and expect different results. At this point as a country we should ask ourselves the fundamental question: How do we make Nigeria great and work? If we must remain together united as a country, are their nation-state models and governance we should adopt to engineer success. Those at the helm of affairs are not interested in such, we must continue to bring up these salient issues because there is no other country we can call our own. Onye ji madu na ala ji onwe ya. The person who is holding another down on the ground is holding himself or herself. If Nigeria thinks it is suppressing the progression of Igbos, it is suppressing its progression. The enterprising and industrious spirit of Igbos impacts on Nigeria greatly and if positively harnessed, it will move Nigeria forward, else development is stalled and the country is worse for it.

If I have my way, I wish separatists in various splinter groups should adopt binary thinking and begin to query their resolve, which is unidirectional at the moment. I believe Nigeria can work but far-reaching changes are needed. That is why those who will be voted in 2019 elections should be those ready to fix Nigeria. Buhari isn’t an option, as he has not shown any commitment towards fixing the core problem of Nigeria in his four years — restructuring, instead, he is busy clamping down on dissent and proscribing separatist groups. I cannot wait for his generation, those that are 75 years and above who still harbor the memories and animosities of the civil war to leave the scene. But we cannot wait until they go away to build a new Nigeria. Igbos can forge their future in Nigeria. We are not cowards. We took on Nigeria in a civil war and prevailed and we can look inwards and explore ways which we can reverse engineer a Nigeria that works for all regions and ethnic groups.

Selah!