|
Lost In The Wilderness Of Nigerian Politics: Do Our Ibo Brethren Know Where They Are Going? By Ben Igiebor
With all due respect and regard to all Ibo people, all my Ibo friends and those free from the mind-set of ethnicity and parochialism, do, let me ask the above question, to our fellow countrymen and women from across the Niger, home and away. Ever since the late Col. Nzeogwu led a coup in 1966 that saw the demise of many political leaders of northern and western origin, [with those of them from the east spared], the seed of tribal antagonism became sown in the minds of Nigerians and very, very sadly today, it has grown into a great monster, terrorising the minds of even the greatest and staunchest believers in One Nigeria. Prior to the coup, all Nigerians lived in peace and harmony. I know this, because I experienced it – an Ibo man lived in our house, as a non-rent-paying tenant and he was one with our family. All over the country, Efik, Edo, Fulani, Ibo, Kanuri, Yoruba, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Hausa, Tiv, all lived together, peacefully. Following the coup, the Ibos were subjected to a backlash, resulting in the loss of lives of many of their people, firstly in their places of abode in the north, then from a protracted 3-year civil war. Despite the best efforts of Gen Gowon, then head of state, to assuage the Ibos, after the war, the ugly impression was established in the minds of many that they are hated and marginalized, by the core north and west. While many have put the issue behind them and gone on with their lives, quite a substantial number still harbour serious grudges and deep animosity in their souls; very sadly, this appears to be playing out in events in the country today. Though the ‘Biafra’ war was bitterly fought and won, Gowon went on to proclaim ‘No victor, no vanquished’, and set about a reconciliation agenda, including some form of compensation; let us put aside for now, the issue of Awolowo’s offer of just £20 then, to every Ibo citizen – money was scarce then, after a civil war, for which, not a kobo, was borrowed. Well after the war, it was reassuring that the late Col Ojukwu, who led the secessionist attempt and war, realised the need for keeping Nigeria one, and decided to join in the politics of Nigeria, and set up a political party. The people should ask why the greatest advocate of a separate republic, made this U-turn. [It wasn’t for money, because he was from a rich family]. Sadly today, many Ibo youths do not understand why. Sadly too, many still toy with the dream of a new ‘Biafra’ and have set up organizations to achieve this dream and even made approaches to the UN and AU. Much as a people have every right to self-determination, they should consider, the merits and demerits of it all, as well as the legacy they will leave. They should know that everything in life comes with a price, or at a cost. Now let us consider, remotely, that this dream becomes reality. What will be the price? First and foremost, almost all of their people, now residing and going about their lives and businesses in all other parts of Nigeria, will have to return to their new country. Now considering the millions of Ibos that can be found in every nook and corner, every village, town and city anywhere one goes in Nigeria, if they were all to return, which land, or houses will absorb them all? Which farmlands will they farm on? How many markets will be able to take the great surge of new millions of traders that will relocate, ‘home’? Even if they all find stalls and warehouses, who will they sell to? Talking of traders and those of them who will need to travel out of the new country, to replenish stock, will they be prepared to be queuing for visas, for days? Will many brothers not start fighting and killing brother, for papa’s land, and house? Looking at the bigger picture, how much voice, or influence would a tiny nation [call it republic if you like), have in Africa or for that matter, global affairs? These are issues that need deep consideration, before sentiments become the byword. After all, is divorce always the best option, in a marriage, that hasn’t worked really well? Also, why even try and operate on a small platform [the dream state], when you have the option of a much bigger stage? Why even believe, naively, that this dream state, will be the answer to the myriad of issues that the Ibo, as a people, face? Now, with the presidential election rescheduled for 6 weeks away, many are still very much entrenched in the politics of ethnicity, religion and indoctrination. Should these be the yardsticks for assessing effective leadership and good governance, which the country so badly needs now? Should 2nd Niger Bridge even be an issue? Even if it is, who says a new administration cannot build one, better than the one, now promised? Should a false promise, of Ibo presidency next time around, be believed? Is it up to anyone, to give out the presidency? How well has Aba, that used to be one of Nigeria’s commercial nerve-centres, done, under the status-quo, considering the state of its roads, today? Was ex Vice-President, Ekwueme, not a founding father of the PDP? What, exactly, has the Ibo person benefited, in all these? Isn’t there really a good possibility, that, with corruption and waste in governance eradicated, the people can actually benefit a lot more, in a new dispensation and under a different leadership, from that, now in place? Talking of promises, how much longer, should people wait, on un-kept promises? How good are the roads and power supply, in all Iboland, today? With all these, is continuity the answer? Well, Mbaka has spoken. Rochas Okorocha has spoken. Soludo has spoken. They are all Ibo sons, patriotic citizens. They can’t deceive their people. They have all touched on salient issues, that need serious consideration. Truth is very bitter indeed, but must be faced. The truth, will set everyone, free, so it is good to embrace it. Promises, lying, ethnicity will serve no useful purpose. Best to do what is right, and just, and excellent, and expedient, for the people and for posterity. Let us all work towards building one great nation, with a voice in the committee of nations, and where NO ONE IS OPRESSED.
Hertfordshire, UK February 8, 2015. |