WHY NIGERIA MAY NEVER BREAK UP

WHY NIGERIA MAY NEVER BREAK UP:

For the past few months my rambunctious neighbors have become my wake up alarm clock. They usually rouse me from sleep during the early hours with their boisterous arguments over happenings in the country. Amongst them is ''old Soldier''- an ex- military man whose voice is always on top of others.

Usually their debate starts around 5am, when most of them (mainly menial workers) wake to take their bath. Once they got out of the bathroom, debate ensues and stretches till about 6am as they dash out for work. I have never cared to listen in, but last week, having woken up from their loud debate, I decided to eavesdrop on their conversation and suddenly, I got interested in the contentious discourse. ‘‘Old soldier'' was leading the argument this time with some sort of novel posture. He was arguing over the threat posed by Boko Haram to the unity of the country. He seemed to be overly sure that despite the violence, bombing and killings, Nigeria will not break up. The other guys, who are by far his juniors, were seriously pitched against him but rhetorically he said to them, "worst things have happened in this country before all of you were born. I fought the Civil war and we saw nastiest things, yet Nigeria did not break''.

　

Old soldier, an Army veteran who fought on the Nigerian side during the 30 months civil war, served the army for another 10years before voluntarily leaving service. He spoke from experience but the other guys saw him as an old optimist who refuses to see things differently, thus they always disagreed with him. As they continued with their verbal combat on topical and mundane issues, I lay still on my bed as my mind raced through all the recent happenings in the country. I worried for the future of the country, the hope for the poor masses, governance, corruption, lack of basic amenities for the people, amongst many issues affecting Africa’s largest exporter of crude oil and most populous black nation on Earth. Reluctantly, I crawled out of bed, feeling miserable and worried for my country at the verge of a possible break-up. Now, I wished I didn’t start my day eavesdropping on old soldiers and co discussing Nigeria and the sad reality we face. My day however began on this note.

　

While at work, my mind continued to flash back on the discourse by my neighbors and then suddenly a breaking news report on TV- Boko Haram attacks Deeper Life Church in Kogi State. My heart broke in piece as I watched the video footage, lots of questions in my mind, but who will I ask? Indeed, no one seems to have the answers to what’s going on in Nigeria. And few days later, another attack was recorded in Plateau, many lives maimed and killed, all in the name of Allah as Boko Haram seeks to Islamize Nigeria. For some unexplainable reason(s), Boko Haram has besmirched all security measure put in place by the government to track the faceless terrorist behind this callous mayhem threatening the very foundation of the country.

　

Worried by the turn of events in the country and the increasing threat to President Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration by extremist elements, acclaimed Niger Delta Activist and leader of Niger Delta people’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo broke his silence and fired back. He warned the Northern extremists using the pseudo name Boko Haram, to stop the brigandage and killings, stressing that the South was ready to go, especially if the Presidency of Dr. Jonathan is threatened. Hardly had he finished that a group from the North- Arewa Youths, replied. The group emphasized that they were not afraid of war mongers like Asari, but were for peace if need be.

　

Hardly had the dust settled that self acclaimed Ogoni Leader, Goodluck Diigbo, announced in far away Netherlands that the Ogonis had seceded, meaning the Ogonis were no longer part of Nigeria. Many laughed it off, describing Diigbo as a joker. But the truth is, Ogoni people like all Niger Delta Communities have suffered over 50 years of oil exploration, environmental degradation and pollution - air, land and waters and most saddening the killing of their citizens including renowned poet, author and environmentalist – Ken Saro-Wiwa. The recent UNEP Report was like putting salt on a wound. The neglect and failure of the Federal Government to implement the report is an obvious pointer that the Ogonis are aliens in the Nigerian political space.

　

While we were still talking about the Ogonis secession quest, the Bakassi people declared self determination. For them, the ceding of their father land is not only sacrilegious, it is devious and inhuman. Until today, they are yet to come to terms with the reality that they had been hounded out of their ancestral home by few judges, who sat in The Hague and decided their fate.

　

Equally troubling is the recent move by some States in Nigeria to create their own flag, emblem and even Anthem. Where is Nigeria headed?

　

Considering all these developments, one can easily fall to the trap that Nigeria's future is indeed bleak. But as history has it, this is not the first time the country is facing this grim picture. One can still recall the aftermath of the June 12 elections annulment in 1993. Shortly after that infamous annulment by President Babangida, parts of the country were engulfed by violence. A lot of people from the South and Eastern parts of the country returned home in droves out of the fear that Nigeria was at the precipice. The bleak Abacha years gradually came and phased that era away. Once again, Nigeria stood still but more like a house sitting on a cracked foundation.

　

Today we are faced with similar scenario albeit sadly under a civilian government elected by the people for the people. Like the years gone by, the crises engulfing some parts of the country may be indicative of a breakup of the country in 2015 as predicted by US. But like old soldier, I do not believe Boko Haram is the final catalyst even as doom Sayers see no hope for Nigeria.

　

Two factors account for my rascal optimism about Nigeria's future. The first is the issue of "national cake" and secondly diversity. For those who are not benefitting from the contraption called Nigeria; division seems to be the answer. This class of people is in the majority but do not have the political weight and economic power to achieve a breakup. Unfortunately, the "fat cats" who have access to loot the Nation’s wealth would never allow their source of booty to go. To them, Nigeria must remain indivisible.

　

Ironically, diversity has never worked to Nigeria’s advantage. Its promoters are bunch of deceits who benefit from the system. The diversity they preach about is only the one that suits their selfish interest. The realism is that the core Northern Oligarchy would not concede to Nigeria’s breakup simply because of their oil bloc interest in the South-South; and they would do everything to protect it. On the other hand, the few Southern political elites would continue to frustrate any genuine agitation for secession on selfish political grounds and for want of juicy appointments in Abuja. Herein lies the ‘tight rope situation’ Nigeria will continue to walk.

　

Obviously, all these strange happenings, violence and bombing by Boko Haram in the North, are mere facade put up by phony power mongers. It is simply a quest for power control and once they are "settled" we will see the elastic spring returning back to size.

　

Finally, in the midst of my optimism that Nigeria may never break up, a small voice tells me, it has become pertinent to urgently convene a Sovereign National Conference to address the core issues of National unity, True Federalism, power and revenue sharing formula and provision of basic infrastructure: roads, rail, electricity and water amongst others. This to me is the only panacea for the continuous existence of Nigeria as one indivisible entity.

　

The time is now!

　

Written by: Kevin Nengia – a freelance journalist writes from PH