Why The North Need To Break From Nigeria

By

Remi Oyeyemi

remi@oyeyemi.net

“Every man has got the right to decide his own destiny. And in this judgement there is no partiality.”

Robert Nesta Marley quoting Marcus Garvey

When I peak of the “North”of Nigeria, I am not, by any means, just referring to the Hausa/Fulani.  I am referring to all ethnic groups in that part of the country. I am not referring to them as a single entity. I am referring to them severally. I am referring to them as individual ethnic groups with different cultures, different traditions and different languages. I am referring to them as different peoples with different aspirations, different ambitions, different hopes, different dreams and different visions.

I am referring to them severally, because as Marcus Garvey posited and Robert Nesta Marley later sang “Every man has got the right to decide his own destiny. And in this judgment there is no partiality.” It is my position that every single ethnic group in the North, big or small have “the right to decide” its own destiny.

The Mumuye have no right to decide how the Tiv should live their lives. The Tiv have no right to decide how the Kanuri should live their lives. The Kanuri have no right to decide how the Hausa Fulani should live their lives. The Hausa Fulani have no right to decide how the Kataf should live their lives. The Kataf have no right to decide how the Nupe should live their lives. The Nupe have no right to decide how the Mumuye should live their lives.

Every ethnic group has the right to determine its own destiny. Each ethnic group has the right to determine if it wants to be independent as a sovereign nation with the same culture, the same language, the same tradition, the same vision, the same aspirations, the same goal and the same dreams. They also have the right to be in the same country with any of their neighbours with whom they share cultural affiliations or similar worldview or similar aspirations. But IT HAS TO BE THEIR CHOICE. Not that of any bigger ethnic group. Not imposed on them. Not forced down their throats.

One of the major fears that myopic minds have expressed about the independence of various ethnic groups and peoples of the North is that they would become landlocked countries. I consider this gratuitous to the ethnic groups of the North. I consider this very preposterous. I consider it as an insult to their intelligence. I consider this an assault on their dignity as human beings imbued with ability to think, assess, adjust and survive. I consider it as a very serious form of disrespect to the individual Histories of these ethnic groups. I consider this as stereotyping and prejudice. I consider this as vacuous superiority complex on the part of protagonists of this concept. It actually bothers on racism in my own judgment.

How could anyone be so oblivious to the gallantry of the various peoples of the North throughout history? How could anyone belittle their resourcefulness that has underscored their survival for several centuries? How could anyone trivialize their courage in the face of clement and inclement weathers even when there was no technology? How could anyone dismiss a trajectory of determination to be free to shape their individual destinies as attested to by centuries of struggles in wars and battles, treaties, written and unwritten?

It is like these peoples have never lived before the advent of Richard Lander. It is as if they had no past before the misguided missionaries came to this geographical sphere called Nigeria. It is as if they never existed before the adventure of Lord Lugard. It is as if they never had their own ways of live before the drunken mistress of Lord Lugard came up with the name “Nigeria.”

What has happened to centuries of viable cultures and traditions? What has happened to centuries of viable political systems among these various ethnic groups? What has happened to centuries of peaceful co-existence with their neighbours with each choosing his friends and detractors as events dictated? What has happened to centuries of interethnic trades and relationships?

It is my belief that the ethnic groups in the North have “nothing to fear except fear itself.” They have nothing to lose except the dreadful chain that ties them to the Nigerian tragedy. They have nothing to be intimidated of except their awe-inspiring determination to succeed. They have nothing to leave behind except hunger and misery. They have nothing to extricate themselves from except poverty and want. They have nothing to move away from except assassinations and corruption. They have nothing to lose except the indignity, disrespect and abuse they have been subjected to for the last several decades.

When they overcome their fears they would be able to see that it is in their best interests to abandon the sinking ship of Nigeria.  They would come to realize that their destiny actually lies in their hands. They would be able to realize that there is nothing compared to FREEDOM. They would come to appreciate that there is nothing compared to SELF DETERMINATION. They would be able to know that there is nothing more valuable than SELF RESPECT and DIGNITY. They would come to understand that having a SENSE OF BELONGING and by implication, of APPRECIATION is compulsory incentive to realizing one’s potentials. They would recognize that there is nothing compared to SENSE of SECURITY amongst your own.

Breaking away from Nigeria would enable them to appreciate the value of unimpaired autonomy and independence. Abandoning Nigeria will help them come to grips with their individual ethnic uniqueness. Dumping Nigeria will shred the cocoon of their amorphous existence.  Renouncing Nigeria would sanctify their identities and help them to truly define their own individual ethnic characters. Breaking away from Nigeria would help the individual ethnic groups realize that all the wealth in the world would not be able to compare to what they could do and achieve for themselves.

They would come to recognize their true individual characters as decent and honest people with unlimited potentials to build great countries. They would be able to realize that those who are good farmers control the lives of others. They would be able to shift their focus from petro-cash to agric-cash. Individually, they would be able to acquire new importance in the comity of nations by mere dint of hard work.  

I have traversed the breadth and length of the North of Nigeria and I have seen those beautiful irrigations. I have seen the result that could be achieved. I have seen hefty yam tubers in Gboko-Katsina Ala axis. I have seen humongous mangoes in Sakibiam. I have seen beautiful tomatoes in Jos. I have seen pulsating groundnuts in Kano. I have seen alluring vegetables in Sokoto. All these point out as to why the ethnic groups in the North have to exit Nigeria NOW to be able to appropriate the benefits of their abilities. They need to break away to be able to “come into their own.”

Breaking away from Nigeria would help these ethnic groups realize that in this age and day, you do not have to have petroleum to be able to propel your machines. There is ethanol. They have arable lands. They can grow corn. They can grow sugarcane. Either of these two products could be used to make ethanol. It is not a fantasy. It is a reality. Ask the Brazilians. Ask the Americans. Ask the Argentines.

What they can not grow they can exchange with their neighbouring nation-states. With technology, they can turn many of their agricultural products to money-spinning machines with little stress but concerted effort and determination. This in turn means industries would spring up all over the place. They would be able to employ their children and give their people s better lives. They would be able to engage in trade, exporting and importing. They would able to charge duties on products that want to compete with theirs.

It means they could build wealth for their individual ethnic groups as nation states. Being able to do this means they would have viable and competitive economies that are their own making and not dependent on any other people who might pull the plug in case of any disagreement. To this end they would allow market forces to determine where they want to sell their products. They would of their on volition build economic and military alliances as they deem fit. They would turn out to be smaller countries individually, but more viable and stronger. They would elicit more self respect and dignity as a result.

They will practice their individual choices of religion. If any of the ethnic groups wants theocracy, it would be its choice. If any of them wants Sharia, it would be its choice. If any of them wants Christianity, it would be its choice. If any of them wants its Traditional religion, it would be its choice. If any of them wants to be secular, it would be its choice.

One of the major injustices in Nigeria is the determination of others ethnic groups to prevent others from making the choices they want by choosing the kind of leaders they want. Every ethnic group has the right to choose its own leaders. They would be able to hold them accountable and make them do their wishes. Such leaders would have to contend with those who empower them. They would not be able to ignore their people. The evil umbrella as represented by Nigeria would have been discarded.

Pertinent to the above is the system of government that each ethnic group wants. Some want democracy. Others want traditional monarchy. Some want constitutional monarchy. Others want Caliphate. Some are in love with Dictatorship. Others would prefer Militocracy. Some would actually go for pure Praetorian models. Every ethnic group has the right to its choices.

They would treat their own people the way they want or the way their peoples want. They would establish embassies with the countries of their choice. They would be able to have bilateral and multilateral relations. They would belong to the international organizations of their choice without having to worry what others might feel or say. This would elicit more respect. It would bring dignity. It would bring appreciation from those who need them and their products.

Being challenged alone would reinforce their determination to succeed. It would now be a battle for survival. It would be a battle to define the individual ethnic characters. You really do not know how good you could be until you are challenged. You really do not know how amazingly talented you are until you are challenged to employ it. It would be a battle to either appropriate all the opportunities lying out there for your people or just go to sleep and have no one to blame for it.

The individual ethnic groups of the North of “Nigeria” are capable of reaching down to their own depth and coming on top. It is the main reason they need to quit Nigeria to be able to redefine themselves and chase after their true individual destinies. The time to break away from Nigeria is NOW!