Nigeria: The dangers of division

The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, has been meeting with different groups across the geopolitical zones in the country. The purpose of the constructive engagement across the divides, as reported in the dailies, is to ensure that the divisive and hateful speeches threatening the corporate existence of the country are nipped in the bud.

In the last one month, Nigerians have witnessed loud and hostile agitation by pro-Biafran demonstrators, with counter reactions from Northern youth coalitions. While some Igbo sociocultural organisations such as MOSSOB and IPOB have been canvassing the Biafran project to become a reality, the incendiary comments by the proponents, specifically Nnamdi Kanu, are very disturbing.

Kanu was granted bail recently with strict conditions attached to it. With the sit-at-home order by the Biafran warlords to honour fallen heroes, Kanu has proved to the whole world that he remains an unrepentant agitator.

Of great concern, however, is the dangerous dimension the Biafra movement has taken. The siddon-look attitude displayed by some Igbo leaders suggests that they either endorse the agitation or have sympathy for it.

Until the Kaduna declaration which generated mixed reactions across the board, the elite did not feel duty-bound to call the violent youths to order.

Whatever may be the reason for the statements, Nigeria stands to gain more through our diversity than division. The country has had enough of violence and strife.

The Civil War and the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East are still fresh in our minds and should serve as a lesson to those who always beat the drums of war.

Nigerians should not hide under freedom of speech to rain abuses on others. Freedom of speech has limits and should not be used to cause confusion in the nation’s politics. Every part of the country has grievances. The Acting President’s bold step in meeting with difference groups is a welcome development.

Ibrahim Mustapha

 Kaduna State.