When individuals become greater than the state
Recently, Sunday Igboho, the self-acclaimed Yoruba activist, and Asari Dokubo, an equally loquacious Niger-Delta leader, renewed calls for the eclipse of the Nigerian State.
Mr Igboho, made a case for a Southwest breakaway, to form the Yoruba Republic. Among other things, he claimed to have the blessings of most political actors in the region and dared anyone to refute the claim. Till this day the only high profile dissenting voice against Mr Igboho’s declaration is the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
Mr Igboho is no stranger to controversy. In January, he issued a quit order to Fulani resident in the South West, which led to violent clashes across the region. The tension created by the quit order culminated in the Sasha crisis where innocent traders were killed and their properties destroyed.
On his part, Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger-Delta People’s Salvation Force, declared, last week, the formation of Biafra Customary Government, BCG, with an administrative and Provincial structures across the South-South and the South East. Consequently, Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB is much alive and relevant, especially with the rejuvenated and restructured Eastern Security Network taking charge in coordinating security operations across the region. Duplicity of security functions is unarguably the recipe to anarchy.
Justifications for the agitation of a South West breakaway as advanced by Mr Igboho are laced with incoherent and false narratives. That the region is isolated from mainstream politics in the country is not true. Currently, the number two citizen, the Vice President, is much alive and active in the country’s political space. The fourth most important position in the hierarchy of power in the country is occupied by Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker, House of Representatives. Several ministers and heads of MDAs have a sizeable number of Yoruba sons and daughters.
Again, the South West, by far, remains the major beneficiary of the APC largesse, and cannot deny the charity of the ruling party in siting major projects in the region.
The federal government’s benevolence to the South West cannot be wished away. Even the crass display of arrogance and disdain for established authorities by Mr Igboho speaks volumes. Had any individual with his disposition tried a fraction of what he did, (inciting violence against an entire ethnic group) and what he is doing I bet, such a person would have been a guest of the DSS. So far, neither the Presidency, security or any ranking government official had attempted to caution Igboho.
The bone of contention, which, continually defines the current calls for secession, is insecurity, as advanced by proponents of the Yoruba Republic.
However, the North is the region worst hit by insecurity - insurgency, kidnapping and banditry are on the rise. Despite the humongous challenges, neither the Arewa Consultative Forum nor Northern Elders Forum, or, any socio-political and ethnocentric group in the region has demanded for the creation of Arewa Republic. In fact, when the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, attempted to protest the killings in the region, the DSS arrested and detained their leaders.
Most nations, at some point, in their existence are confronted with challenges, some mild, while others overwhelming. Nigeria is passing through a thick storm, a temporal phenomenon or setback which would eventually phase-out. Making political gain out of it is counterproductive, and would consume us all.
On his part, Asari Dokubo, whose activities would be considered as “stomach militancy’’, had suddenly embraced the Biafra vision. In the past, his path and Kanu’s crossed, with a major altercation, bordering on his faith as a Muslim. It is, however, difficult to vaguely underscore the basis of Asari’s agitation. During the Jonathan presidency, he, alongside his Ijaw groups were quite visible and active in most part of the tenure.
It is a fact that the world over, no nation surrenders her sovereignty or territory and any attempt often ends in bloodshed. Those agitating for a breakaway state should leverage on a constitutional pathway in achieving their goals.
Evidently, the launch of the Oduduwa currency, known as the FADAKA, indicates clearly, promoters of the republic are relentlessly pursuing their aspirations, such that, only the federal government can halt the movement. The process, in its entirety is reminiscent of the Biafra agitation which plunged the country into a needless three years civil war.
Government must not wish these groups away. It doesn’t work out that way. Dialogue, or better still the carrot and stick approach be adopted. Failure to do so, is an open invitation to civil unrest. No region has the monopoly of violence, the chain reaction could cascade down to states and cities. Government must be proactive and unravel the sponsors.
Confronting multiple challenges concurrently is no mean feat but the impact would be devastating should government keep mute.
To the promoters of such divisive venture, the consequences far outweigh the gains, the losses could be monumental. Unfortunately, Nigerians are naturally averse to learning from history, else, the gory images of starving children during the Nigerian civil war is enough to deter those advancing these vicious causes.
Agreed, security challenges in the country are worrisome and the failure of the APC government is so glaring but one can only change a democratically elected government through the ballot box.
Those surreptitiously lending their voice, or politicizing insecurity must bear in mind that should there be an outbreak of civil war, the blood of the innocent shall be on the their filthy hands.
The value of human life should not be subjected to partisanship or, any kind of mundane political game.
Mohammed is with the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.