Opinion
OPINION: This Is Why Igbos Cannot Leave Nigeria
By Adetayo Adesola
In light of the tensions growing in the land, I had to cut my sabbatical short to address the prevailing agitations that has gathered momentum over the past few weeks. ‘Biafra’ and ‘Restructuring’ are the latest events to heat up the polity in Nigeria. Both events have common factors. They are both driven by resource control and management. But they both differ in modus operandi. The agitation threat of Biafra gave birth to restructuring. Given the aforementioned, let me further state and describe the nature of both events and their economic implications.
The quest for Biafra centers on secession and balkanization of the Nigerian State. Championed by Nnamdi Kanu, the chief antagonist, Biafra attempts to divide the nation and gain absolute control of all resources in “Biafran States”. The penchant for self-autonomy is driven by hatred for other regions, most especially the North. Biafra wants independence but does that serve the Nation in whole a great deal of good? No. Simply said, the Igbos, who claim they are victims of marginalization are known for their commercial and trade exploits all over the country. In Lagos here alone, they dominate the retail and wholesale markets at Computer Village, Alaba International, and the Okirika markets on the Island. The markets at Iwo Road Ibadan are also dominated by the Igbos. After threats of expulsion from the North by the Arewa youths, we got to find out; they cannot leave the North because the Igbos has 44 trillion naira worth of investments in North. Interestingly, the Igbos needs us as much as we need them, which makes the ambition for Biafra toothless.
Looking at the restructuring narrative, which sounds more plausible, can be defined as a reorganization of a country with a view to achieving greater efficiency and management, or to holistically rearrange (not dismantle as some fear) a country. Concerning Nigeria, restructuring envisages state creation, power devolution, local government autonomy, rotational presidency, resource control and the type of legislature to operate amongst other cardinal components. Certainly, this can help alleviate the problems of marginalization but to my disbelief our politicians are using the ‘issue of restructuring’ to score political points, so much so President Buhari ‘s claim that “Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable” has been seen as a faux pas. So it is not surprising that for every comment dropped about restructuring, there’s a political effect that follows. It’s like playing WHOT and Chess simultaneously. What’s exacerbating about this problem is that the view to achieve ‘greater efficiency’ might drown as the tides of politics waves on. However, the need for restructuring lies on the onus of our politicians.
Having said this, I now need to talk about economic development as a result of the Biafra and restructuring equation. My two cents on this is Biafra might not lead to economic development for the Igbos. The agitators should ask South Sudan if division from Sudan really helped. Restructuring on the other hand, will re-balance the duties of federal and state governments whereas powers will be devolved and every level of government will be strengthened and more accountable to her people which will bring economic development. Present states can leverage on the resources in their regions to create wealth. While state governments are challenged to look for sources of wealth creation primarily within their region, it will have productive ripple effects on their economy. Federal government moreover will be saddled with responsibilities that are essential such as foreign policy, defense and national economic policy etc.
It is on this premise, I would conclude that Biafrans should borrow a leaf from the originators of this popular quote “if you can’t beat them, join them” and join every faction irrespective of ethnical prejudice for their economic and political gain. It is also germane to know that restructuring is not the prerequisite for a better Nigeria. Good governance is. The chassis can be built, the windows fitted and the engine refined but without purchasing the wheels, Nigeria will go nowhere.
Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Oriental Times
BiafraUnited
October 21, 2017 at 5:58 am
Comparing the Igbos with the South Sudan is an insult. We can survive anywhere there is life. We desperately need Biafra for the most part to clean up the house. To wipe off people like Okoroawusas out of the land. Now tell me why the governor of the poorest state in the nation (Imo) would spend over N520, 000,000.00 to erect the statue of a despot whose people are killing Nigerians. This is one reason why we need Biafra because under the current arrangement, these criminals are protected by the armies.
Oyenka Ugbo
October 12, 2017 at 8:27 am
all haill biafra
Angela E Momoh
October 12, 2017 at 7:58 am
I’m having 0.014 bitcoins for sale, inbox me if interested.
Tony Oyeh
October 12, 2017 at 4:13 am
Evil and bad luck wll be visiting whoever that wrote this rubbish and his families in God’s name. Igbos has already left nigeria long time, half of Igbos are not even in nigeria as we speak. Fools
Julie Nlemoha Onyeledo
October 12, 2017 at 12:57 am
Not a sound reason
Ebuka Udeh
October 11, 2017 at 11:03 pm
Christopher Ochini
October 11, 2017 at 8:51 pm
Abi
Malachi Chibuzo Godfirst
October 11, 2017 at 6:07 pm
Back to sender
anyway give us Referendum
Tony Dubem
October 11, 2017 at 3:56 pm
All hail Biafra
Austin Okoro
October 11, 2017 at 3:20 pm
That’s not ur business we can be anyway we like, all hail biafra
Chris Njoku
October 11, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Mr Adetayo Adesola your article “This is why Igbos cannot leave Nigeria”. My immediate reaction was , says who ? . Admittedly the views therein was yours and yours alone since the issue has not been put to a vote. You talked about the “Igbos” dominating commercial and trading life of Lagos especially Alagba International market, computer village and so on and have 44 Trillion worth investment in Northern Nigeria. My friend Adetayo Adesola, there lies the problem of the Igbos and their hatred in Nigeria. Their Industrial, upward mobility and ability to adapt and prosper even in hostile clime is the source of envy. Igbos have no chip on their shoulders, bearing in mind that these peoples fathers and grandfathers were robbed of all that owned in Lagos and else where; including their bank accounts some 50 years. They later given £20 irrespective of what they had in the bank, yet look at them today. The 44 Trillion Investment that you mentioned was it given to them because they are Igbos ?. Surely not !. Same also the domination of Lagos commercial life and trading . Are other ethnicities excluded from these trades and commercial activities, the answer again is No. Igbos are not asking for handouts in Nigeria, yet they are hated. To say that Igbos hate the North is simply untrue, otherwise why would they invest 44 Trillion Naira there ?. But try to listen to Mr Ahmadu Bello’s interview in 1960 with a British Journalist, and reproduced in the West African Pilot in October of the same year perhaps, you might begin
to have a change of heart of who hates who. Who murdered who in thousand in the Northern Nigeria in 1966 and expelled others out of the North which lead the Igbos returning to the East for safety and subsequently the civil war of 1966- 1970 .Was it the Igbos. ? You go and find out. The problem, as I see it; is that believers in half truths like your self cannot help yourselves, and that Nigeria is the way that it is today, irredeemable . Igbos do not claim to be marginalized in Nigeria. They hugely discriminated against as well as marginalized, but that is another days topic, suffice to say that if you doubt the writer, ask why there are no Federal presence any where in the Eastern States, the closure air and seaports as well as refineries to mention but few. Ambition for a sovereign state of Biafra is not toothless as you say, otherwise, call for a referendum it is as simple as that. That is the only way to test the level of support for Biafra independence from Nigeria. To draw a parallel with South Sudan shows how ignorant you are about our resolve and determination to go our separate way and to build modern and vibrant sovereign state of Biafra living in peace and security away from the enslavement and domination of Hausa Fulani who throws tantrums like three infants at any at any change that they feel that will reduce their power. You can see that they have already rejected restructuring, so what are saying ? to continue to live in bondage in a marriage that has irretrievably broken down or to peacefully go our separate ways. I am for a complete break, and calling for a referendum on Biafra is surely a way start the process. Igbos are only part of Biafra, no matter how much you try to divide us by calling some us Niger Delta, and South South, such an absurd name never found in world geography.
BiafraUnited
October 21, 2017 at 5:52 am
Thanks for your intelligent reply.
John Nwaeze
October 11, 2017 at 2:48 pm
We know what is good for ourselves,no body should detect for us.
Masterristic Chima
October 11, 2017 at 2:16 pm
The success of the igbos is their brain not in their physical properties, it’s only igbo man thats can enter anywhere without anything and come home legally rich due to hard work, it’s take igbos nothing to turn any state in south east to Lagos within 6months, when igbos mean business to leave Nigeria, then you will know that no property mean anything to an igbo man so far he is physically ok.
Saminu Lamsys
October 11, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Stupid people, let them go to hell
Ejike Okol
October 11, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Are you recognized as a Nigerian? Even now we are together Other than making mockery of South Easterners even in government circle The main issue is this the Northerners they value their cows more than human life. people that derive pleasure in killing fellow human beings in the name of their religious beliefs yes we need each other because lbos are hard working don’t depend on government money and Ibos are Nigerian cities Developers
Wilson Mike
October 11, 2017 at 12:42 pm
Guy fuck off yeye writer. You talked about south Sudan because you hate the ibos why u no talk about the singaporians
Onyemaechi Tony
October 11, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Forget all these greedy stories. We catch the zoo…
ALL HAIL BIAFRA
& GOD bless Mazi Nnamdi Kanu & coy.
Julie Ogbu Ebuenyi
October 11, 2017 at 12:10 pm
That doesn’t matter. We can be everywhere but we want our own country. No Biafra Referendum, no peace for Nigeria