By Muhammad Miftahuddeen Isa
Today is exactly 61 years, since my Country gained Independence in 1960. The Giant of Africa, a West-African country with over 200 million people, is one of the largest exporters of crude oil globally and home to the third largest film industry after the American Hollywood and Bollywood of India. Blessed with distinct ethnicities, languages and tribes- Nigeria is endowed with prosperous heritage and aesthetic values. Nigeria shelters the richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote and many more internationally recognized dignitaries. Inspite of all these endowments, Nigeria lags behind in development of whatever kind.
I honestly believe that we have the potential for growth, but that is not even fathomable- since the nation is mired in enmity and division since inception. Walls were built by the forefathers whom we thought did build a bridge. Yes, indeed “ The labor of our heroes’ past, shall never be in vain”. What really have they labored for? Did any of our purported freedom fighters fought for togetherness; for unity? Northers fought for the North and So did Southerners. Listen to their interviews, analyze their arguments and you’ll have a taste of what we see and hear today. It has always being about the North and the South- but never about Nigeria. Don’t misquote me. We are proud of the work they’ve done. We are Independent today because of them – but no matter what excuses we intend to subscribe to their favour, we will inevitably fail to convince ourselves of their innocence in breeding the hatred lingering within our souls against each-other.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and Awolowo fought for the emancipation and liberation of the southerners from the clutches of slavery and exploitation, and so did Sir. Ahmadu Bello and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa for the north. “No matter the enmity- we become friends to fight a mutual cause.” What happened after that? Both parties started to prioritize their regions, favour their ethnic groups and criticize and mock everything and everyone outside of their league. I’m afraid this is what is still happening. Get me right! We all represent our communities, but to undermine the status of others sends a bad message. No society is devoid of rotten eggs, and none is lacking in intellectual prudence and productivity. Why then restrict it to yourselves against others? Why say it against others excluding yourselves?
Adherence to history reminds me of “The dead are alive” by Harold Sherman. Indeed, the dead are alive and we, the living are dead- since they dictate how we feel about each other.
In 2015, when the nation came together to vote-in the current Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, one would expect that the barbarism of restricting either virtue or vice to a region or tribe had come to an end- but unfortunately, it was just a vacation to prepare us for the greatest disappointment of the century. Today, everyone is consumed in their prophylactic measures against having a rival region producing the next Commander-in- Chief of the Armed- Forces of the Nation. I thought President Buhari’s election in 2015 was coached by the unrelenting effort of Nigerians to revive their lost glory, and represents the choice of the majority, irrespective of their inclinations. Unfortunately, it was an illogical and counterproductive expectation of the assumed educated southern minority to resume their assumed inalienable right to govern the purported less educated northern majority. How could we think this low of ourselves? Is it really the region of a person that determines their viability to occupy a public office, or their proven integrity and leadership prowess? Recently, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed rightly opines the impossibility of coercing a region to vote-in a candidate produced by another region, and I’m passionately in agreement. The determining factor in this case is whether the candidate represents the choice of the majority of the citizenry- and for that to be achieved, much more than a frivolous personal inclination is required. Vote a person, not a region!
To humor you more, is the issue of partitioning the country. The Southwestern purported revolutionists want an Oduduwa Republic, and the South-east wants a Republic of Biafra. They all believe that they are being exploited and marginalized. One doesn’t feel marginalized when they believe that they belong. Nobody enjoys the nation the way it is- but we don’t denounce faith in family for a trivial disagreement with a sibling. Everyone has played a part in both the building and destruction of this Country.
Even within the ethnic groups are divisions and disappointments. We discriminate on the basis of sex, state and faith. In Bauchi State for instance, a Governor must come from the Southern part of the state, and the Deputy from the North.
The issue of leadership traits becomes a mere myth in the political arena. All that matters is whether one has the financial buoyancy and the appropriate connections to deliver an entity to their political parties. In spiritual aspects, even within the two major religions are sects fighting against one another. Nothing ever feels right. We are all a mess, but we can do better!
Our Brothers have found shelter in forests, killing and extorting us. In University admissions, priority is given to those from catchment areas, instead of those who qualify, and in Ministries, we ask for one’s referrals instead of their expertise. Nothing is united, but our unity in hatred.
Dear Countrymen, why in pieces and not in peace?
