Opinion
Nigeria Is Not Breaking Up
By Tochukwu Ezukanma
Despite our relentless, vociferous denunciation of Nigeria and her woes, most Nigerians are committed to Nigeria, and her continued unity. As such, any group of Nigerians seeking to secede from Nigeria will invariably incur the wrath of the majority of Nigerians. And, as in past, the generality of Nigerians will rally against such a group and defeat it. In 1967, the majority of Nigerians, including many Igbo, were opposed to secession. And the international community, African countries as represented by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Britain and the United States of America, were all opposed to the separation of any part of Nigeria from the Nigerian federation.
The Igbo military elite, for example, Hilary Njoku (the most senior Igbo army officer, after Ironsi, in the Nigerian army), Emmanuel Ifeajuna (one of the very few university-educated Nigerian army officers) and Chukwuma Nzeogwu (the then most celebrated Igbo army officer), and the Igbo political elite, most notably, Nnamdi Azikiwe, were opposed to secession. In a speech to the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria on 24th April 1967, Yakubu Gowon stated the federal government’s stance against secession, “my colleagues and I would spare no effort in the search for peace provided nothing is done by anyone to impair the integrity and corporate existence of Nigeria”.
The member countries of OAU were appalled by the slaughter of Igbo civilians in Northern Nigerian but were opposed to the dismemberment of Nigeria. A onetime Biafran diplomat, Raph Uwechue, wrote that due “to (its) aversion for secession, the OAU stuck rigidly to the principle of settlement within the context of one Nigeria”. In addition, the American and British governments were opposed to a breakup of Nigeria. In his book, Oil, Politics and Violence, the historian and writer, Max Siollun, wrote, “Both the American Ambassador, Elbert Matthews, and the British High Commissioner, Cumming Bruce, made strong representations against secession (because) it will be a major political and economic disaster for Nigerian people and severe setback for independent Africa”.
With such powerful array of forces against Biafranism, Ojukwu’s declaration of Biafra was a needless, reckless and senseless move. It was headstrongness and foolhardiness taken to a dangerous, almost suicidal, extreme. Biafranism was an absurdity: a futile and wasteful enterprise. The futility of Biafranism was succinctly expressed by the American journalist, Hersh Seymour, in his book, The Price of Power, “Biafra, from the very beginning, had no chance of success”. With very powerful, almost insurmountable, obstacles still in the path to the separation of any ethnic group from Nigeria, neo-Biafranism is another pointless and wasteful enterprise that has no chance of success. The incontestable fact is that no ethnic group of Nigeria can successfully break away from Nigeria.
Nigeria is an unwieldy agglomeration devoid of a unified sense of purpose, a floundering ship groping for direction, a somnolent giant in need of awakening. Plagued by bad leadership, she is afflicted with all the possible consequences of bad leadership: ethno-religious violence, moral squalor, official corruption, mass poverty, etc. Consequently, some doomsayers, in their muddled pessimism, speculate that exasperated by these seemingly interminable woes, the different ethnic groups of Nigerians will, at some point, resolve to voluntarily break up the country; and go their different ways. Even, if this almost impossible scenario ever plays out, its success will be contingent on the approval of the Nigerian military. The military is the only national institution with the cohesion and power to force the continued existence of a corporate Nigeria; it is the ultimate arbiter of Nigerian unity. If the military is opposed to such a voluntary breakup of the country, it cannot take place.
A onetime Nigerian defense minister, Domkat Bali, once expressed a sentiment prevalent among the ethnic minorities in Nigerian, “I am from a small tribe, the Tarok tribe in Langtang. If the North secures its independence from Nigeria, the Hausa/Fulani will be so dominant that they will lord it over us whether we like it or not. A bigger Nigeria will check such excesses. So, the bigger Nigeria is, the freer my tribe and I will be.” It is this fear of unbridled domination by the dominant ethnic group in their respective regions, in the case of a breakup of Nigeria, that makes the Nigerian ethnic minorities the most zealous proponents of one Nigeria.
Refreshingly, it is the minorities, northern and southern minorities, that dominate the Nigerian military. According to Joseph Garba, there were thirteen army generals from his local government area. Was that not a potent testament to the preponderant representation of his minority ethnic group in the army? So, apart from the almost impossibility of a successful secession from Nigeria by any ethnic group, a mutual agreement amongst the major ethnic groups of Nigerians to dismember the country will still not work. For the final arbiter in such a breakup (the military) has been dominated by those that believe that their freedom and fulfillment are inextricably entwined with a unified Nigeria, and are, thus, the most passionate defenders of one Nigeria.
With the secession of any tribal group from Nigeria unattainable, and the voluntarily breakup of the country almost impossible, neo-Biafranism is a pipe-dream. Actually, there is nothing wrong with dreaming, even, if the dreams are wild, weird and wacky. However, my gripe with Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is that they are disturbing the peace of the country, and stirring up trouble for the Igbo. In their delusion, they refuse to understand that the Igbo are a fixture, an immovable, irremovable component, of Nigeria.
A Hausa/Fulani female lawyer once summed it up in her own words, “Without the Igbo, Nigeria would have been in the Dark Ages”. It was an acknowledgement that the Igbo have labored so hard and invested so much for the overall good and prosperity of Nigeria. We have invested so much money, energy, time, sweat and blood into Nigeria. Therefore, it is too late for the Igbo to turn back on Nigeria.
Tochukwu Ezukanma writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Your problem is Nigeria not to break up not the Height of deceit going on in that country. Buhari is late and an impostor ruling you.
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 10:39 am
Taar
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 9:43 am
Oredy breakade
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 9:05 am
stupid write up
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 8:51 am
Na your problems no go brake fool
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 8:41 am
We are breaking up .
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 8:35 am
Show me the unity in Nigeria?
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 8:00 am
On your own
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 7:43 am
Nonsense
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 7:33 am
Lazy youth
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 7:29 am
nigeria has break long ago please don’t be fool
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 6:54 am
You dey Joke, bubu is dead and one is talking did you see how idiotic some Nigerian youth are they don’t reason properly
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 6:34 am
The Zoo is gone already.
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 5:51 am
Fools
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 5:46 am
Just wait and see the end of zoological republic of animals kingdom called Nigerian today
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 5:29 am
Idiotic
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 5:00 am
OK let my uncle Nnamdi kanu finish first then we will know what is left, I see legs shaking only few people Knows that this British creation has ended.
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 4:55 am
With the condition we are today nothing like one Nigeria.Let me tell you the truth nothing Nigeria.
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 4:49 am
It must brake. Just watch and see
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 3:58 am
Biafra is here…man can’t you see
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 3:27 am
Rubbish, so to any sane person Nigeria as it stand today is United? Unity my foot. If Nigeria is United let her progress like United countries like Ghana. Or is it that her unity is a course rather than blessing? One interesting thing about snakes is that they at first tries to escape immediately they sight you that’s because their freedom is very important but if you try to even stop it you will get killed by it. This whole write up is useless because even the world knows that Nigeria will break up one day even their 2015 prediction was twerted by GEJ. The world also knows that there’s one unproductive tribe and region who are lazy and can not stand without free money from another regions who thinks they are not ever going to stay alife if the other part separates. Nigeria will die a natural death
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 4:49 am
We should all appreciate Uchechukwu Otiko for identifying that tribe that can’t stay on their own or on their land. They are compelled to flee their hostile land to seek livelihood in other people’s land. They are tall over the North (11-13million) & Lagos/SW (5 million) seeking milk & honey.
The last time, Areas youths gave them October 1 quit notice they cried, wailed, screamed, begged & pleaded for it to be lifted. They are the ones begging for unity, whose elders weep on the shoulders of a Hausa Fulani presidential contestant. Ask them to vacate the North & Lagos, more than 50% will commit suicide, another 25% will go mad. They hardly go home or invest in their homeland for fear of security, crime & evil eye. They only rush home during Xmas for just 6 days & rush back to the “zoo”, as if someone is chasing them.
We thank Uchechukwu Otiko for identifying his tribe. I hope they are listening to him. Next time, you throw a boomerang, it might come back to hit you with venom!!
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 1:43 am
You are fool for forty years
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 1:13 am
Only the north has been running Nigeria.and Fools are talking One Nigeria.
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 12:08 am
Lol
Biafra first son..
November 20, 2018 at 12:56 am
Unity of a people is not by fuse but a mutual agreement, but in the case of Biafra its not like that they were fused to embrace Nigeria created by Frederic lord lugard a war lord from Scotland, Biafra have been existing 5000 years before Nigeria we have been there go to the old world map you will see Biafra but can never find Nigeria , this lugard fused us together, ojukwu laid a lagacy and we must continue from there and no mortal can stop us, how can I be in the same contraption with people that practice sharia law, go to the zoo constitution and see for your self, how many Islam, sharia was mentioned there, church or Christianity was mentioned there if you don’t know, the point is they have made us know that we are not part of Nigeria and they re right and we can never be, this quest of Biafra restoration will never die, even if you wipe out this existing generation the massage of Biafra will still be transferred to the next generation, so Biafra is a spirit which no man can kill, we are tired of one Nigeria were some few people are benefiting in the expense of millions, they are the same people who is opposing the Biafra restoration , the say biafran don’t have anything to offer to Nigeria that the are causing unrest in the nation that they are corrupt and you still don’t want to allow the leave no you must be wicked, this generation will restore Biafra and no one can stop them take it or leave it, we can continue to stay with Taliban’s uncircumcised blood suckers, Biafra is the hope of Africa and God is going to fulfill his words, this are exactly what the Israelite faced but today they have returned to there promised land and so we are going to return to our promised land because our brothers and sister are scattered all over the world, we are returning home soon, in the name of chukwu okike abiama, so Mr writer of Mrs write you are talking shit, its very simple if Biafra goes those who still love noozoria can take asylum there because they are wicked and the land of Biafra will continue to pursue them, so because you have a house or land in the west or north and you dont want biafrans to have there freedom because of your useless property chukwu okike will purnish you this time, biafra is going, all we ask is Biafra referendum or watch as ipob destroy Nigeria and her dignity before the whole world, you can’t suppress biafrans for ever, God bless united state of Biafra USB. God bless mazi nnamdi kanu, God bless biafrans, we will prove how determined and resolute we are in 2019 election if eventually the election takes place.. In chukwu okike abiama we trust..
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 10:47 pm
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 10:30 pm
Says who?
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 10:27 pm
NO IS ONLY DROWNING!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 10:06 pm
Animal kingdom
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 9:39 pm
Hopeless Animal .
After weed what’s next
Is this act
Homeless man.
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 9:27 pm
Wake up from your slumber dear. Good night nigeria. Good morning Biafra…
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 8:45 pm
Yeye
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 8:25 pm
Nothing like Nigeria I only know my village, it shall never been well with those calling my village part of that animal farm called Nigeria.
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 7:47 pm
SEE BIAFTA
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Tochukwu Ezukanma fill the blank
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 7:16 pm
Time will tell
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 7:13 pm
If u re proud bein a nigerian,u re a fool,non indigen is ruling the nation ,u clam to be her indigen.
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Northern cow, Nigeria is a zoo
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:59 pm
Shut up!
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:58 pm
Nigeria will break
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Eeyee you say what Let me hear you say nonsense again
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:50 pm
Nigeria has no meaning in my Language.
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:46 pm
What is Nigeria?
Dr. Peter Ejirika,CPA
November 19, 2018 at 7:41 pm
The Author of the above article is disillusioned about Ibos decision to be separated from Nigeria. In the first instance, our great grandfather opposed the British Introduction of the Nigerian Philosophy and paid dearly with his life. In addition, the present generation of Ibos and Biafrans generally are convinced that Awusas and Fulanis are a big set back to the progress of the Ibos and Nigeria as a whole for instance, in the sixties China was unable to feed its citizens and Korea had just imaged from bitter war of attrition yet today these countries are great economic powers and civilized nations but Nigeria is still waiting for Awusas and the Fulanis to wake up from their deep slumber to embrace economic and technological development. Apparently, the author of this article is one of these Nigerians who lack confidence in themselves and in their abilities to achieve. Suffice it to state, that Biafra will surpass Nigeria in economic development, academics, and business within three years of its restoration and every three year old Biafran kid understands this fact.
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Breaking up is sure banker so don’t deceive yourself say the zoo( NIGERIA is not breaking up Its a must breaking up is 100% sure
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:37 pm
Nigeria has been one since 1960….yet no dint of oneness,but tribalism,nepotism, everywhere… Unity is elusive ,too many ethnic groups.
Dr. Peter Ejirika,CPA
November 19, 2018 at 7:32 pm
The Author of the above article is disillusioned about Ibos decision to be separated from Nigeria. In the first instance, our great grandfather opposed the British Introduction of the Nigerian Philosophy and paid dearly with his life. In addition, the present generation of Ibos and Biafrans generally are convinced that Awusas and Fulanis are a big set back to the progress of the Ibos and Nigeria as a whole for instance, in the sixties China was unable to feed its citizens and Korea had just imaged from bitter war of attrition yet today these countries are great economic power and civilized nations but Nigeria is still waiting for Awusas and the Fulanis to wake up from deep slumber to embrace economic and technological development. Apparently, the author of this article is one these Nigerians who lack confidence in themselves and in their abilities to achieve. Suffice it to state that Biafra will surpass Nigeria in economic development, academics, and business within three years of its restoration and every three old Biafran kid understands this fact.
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Nigeria is good for a break up at anytime.
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:15 pm
NIGERIA IS ALREADY GONE…
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Are you ok?
Anonymous
November 19, 2018 at 6:08 pm
Nigeria is a shithoLe nation
Anonymous
November 20, 2018 at 2:43 pm
Only time will tell.