ONE often finds himself engaged in thoughts, seeking to fathom the basis and rationale for the ongoing tomfoolery about national identity among those who have found themselves in the common space provided under the name ‘Nigeria’. For sure, this common space, from inception, never pretended to be populated by ‘homogenous’ peoples; but somehow the inhabitants seem obsessed with ‘believing’ that they are ‘homogenous’ and ‘one united entity’. The thinking seems to be that if the ‘diversity’, instead of a non-existent ‘homogenous’ traits are promoted and acknowledged, that it may somehow work against the unity of the peoples of Nigeria. It seems also that the understanding of ‘unity’ equally imports the meaning of ‘uniformity’ into the mix. That has been the classical lie foisted on Nigerians over the years. The question to answer is: couldn’t a heterogeneously diverse people live together in unity? Put another way: must a people be homogenous in order to live together in unity?
To be sure, Nigeria birthed on the basis of diversity. The first national anthem which was inaugurated along with Nigeria’s Independence in 1960 captured the true essence of the driving forces for the much needed continued unity of Nigerians. It was written by Lillian Jean Williams, a Briton, who having experienced living in Nigeria, was inspired to give us the lyrics of ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’. It was a clarion call to the nationalists and Nigerians generally to focus upon all those things that would put attention on Nigeria, instead of the diverse ethnic nationalities; while not denying their existence. Hence the following lyrics: ‘Our own dear native land;/Though tribe and tongue may differ,/In brotherhood we stand…’ Further in the anthem you would find the prayerful words: ‘O God of all creation, Help us to build a nation, Where no man is oppressed…’. A nation, where no man is oppressed! Reflect with me over these words. Obviously the lyrics of the first National Anthem anticipated a people that have the fear and reverence of God, and who cherish true love and brotherhood of one and another. Is that the case in today’s Nigeria?
So, there was clear recognition and acknowledgment that we are from diverse tribes and tongues; about 250-300 such ethnic groups and tongues exist in Nigeria. Surely, managing such diversity would create challenges if not undertaken with abiding love and true brotherhood. And so the ball was set rolling. It becomes understandable that the much talked- about historical origin through the 1914 amalgamation of the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria was a case of merging these diverse peoples for the common good of the then colonial masters. It was not as a result of the request of the peoples. This fact remains true, despite all fanciful interpretations by political pundits to the contrary. So far in my research, I am yet to come upon a single document or instrument of the 1914 amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Nigeria that could be produced; nor was any signed by any representatives of Northern and Southern Nigeria. Rather, it was the case that the British and other expatriate traders seeking commercial inroads into the common space now collectively called Nigeria, which then were disparate indigenous peoples, kingdoms and inhabitants of trading routes, had different arrangements and agreements for harmonious co-existence.
These disparate peoples later got organised by the British colonial masters into useful political blocs, amidst divergent voices and opposing views about staying together in a unified state structure. This was the reason for the initial regional government arrangements, and the various pre-independence constitutional conferences, including the 1957 Willink Commission which was set up to look into the authenticity of the fears and agitations of the minorities, and prescribe ways to assuage such fears. The ‘minority’ as a term used here was only symbolical of the wider rumblings within the bowels of even the major ethnic nationalities that eventually came together on 1st October, 1960 to become the sovereign state of Nigeria. All efforts to address those rumblings have proven ineffective even after sixty years of independence. It is those rumblings that this essay terms ‘the North vs. South conundrum’.
The term ‘conundrum’ is used here more as pun than reality, because there is no human situation that does not have a simple solution if the actors genuinely seek after a solution. The problem becomes intractable only because those involved refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem, like many of us in Nigeria are doing today; or simply enjoy the momentary advantages accruing from the ‘spoils of war’ which the situation throws up. The use of ‘conundrum’ as a pun stems also from the truism that in our individual, one on one, personal relationships Nigerians love one another, and do interact freely, trusting one another , even to the point of inter-marrying across tribal lines and living amidst each other unmolested. Yet, there is a serious ‘conundrum’ in the wider political space, as soon as so called ‘power’ sharing arrangements come into play. Every challenge bedeviling against the growth and development of the common space called Nigeria today is traceable to this fictitious ‘North Vs. South conundrum’. It is an imaginary battle ground existing in the primordial dark recesses of the hearts and minds of few individuals, which through state apparatus they have managed to blow out of proportion.
The ‘North Vs. South conundrum’ has grown into a mighty monster, voraciously devouring the fabrics of the nation piece by piece and dangerously degrading the quality of human life and experiences obtainable by the inhabitants of the common space called Nigeria. These demons and monsters are being fed by self-centered falsehoods, politically propelled propaganda machines and hate-filled sentiments hoisted on the pillars of anachronistic ethnic, religious and sectional blindfolds. The whole situation has become like minefields and kegs of gunpowder ready to detonate and engulf all lofty aspirations of the otherwise wonderful peoples of Nigeria. Just few examples: How come the mere fact of being a citizen of Nigeria is no longer sufficient an identity; but rather tribe, ethnicity and state of origin? How come religion is now a major consideration for appointments into public offices; a choice which ought to be between one and one’s Creator?From an objectively detached position, which sees human beings first, before seeing their skin colours, their native tongues, their religions and life style fancies, one finds the current suffocating conundrum in Nigeria childish and idiotic.
We are all like children whose parents bought them toys of different shapes, but instead of enjoying the toys, we are fighting each other to take what belongs to the other; and eventually ending up destroying the whole toys. Many are happy that herdsmen are ravaging parts of the country, kidnapping, destroying farms and farming cultures of indigenous peoples of Nigeria. Many seem happy that so called bandits and Islamic fundamentalists are taking over parts of the North, kidnapping and rendering many homeless. Many seem happy that agitations are now rife for self-determination in the South East and South West. Little, therefore, is being done, as a responsible nation, to address these challenges with strong will power. There are enough reasons to wholly embrace and promote community policing, yet the policy makers drag their feet, while watching communities sacked by wicked and evil groups. Every policy statement from the political class simply denies that there are fundamental issues to be tackled, and sweeps matters under the carpet of posterity.
It reminds one of the well known analogy of ‘crabs in a basket’. This analogy of the crabs’ behaviour takes its explanations from the phenomenon that happens when crabs are collected and kept in a common space (think of Nigeria, in this case). When one crab starts trying to escape from the basket, other crabs notice it and immediately move to pull it back into the basket. This pulling back continues repeatedly any time the crab wants to climb out; so much so that the owner of the basket and the crabs could actually leave the basket without a lid, secure in the knowledge that every time a crab tries to escape, the others will go out of their way to drag it back into the basket. Think of the ‘owner’ here in terms of foreign vampire governments and corporations that have been feasting on pre and post independent Nigeria. But there is a clear difference to note. Those who use the crab analogy to teach lessons in life remind us that crabs are actually different from human beings. They remind us that when crabs do the pulling back/down they have no ill motives, but that when human beings drag others back and down to their levels, they are often motivated by the spirit of jealousy, envy, spite, greed and selfishness. The ‘dragging back/down’ in Nigeria is motivated by the backward mindset with an unspoken wish: ‘if I can’t get it, neither can you!’ This mentality encapsulates the North Vs. South conundrum!. It is this mindset that has held back discussions about true federalism in Nigeria. It is what has held back discussions and implementations of fundamental restructuring of the Nigerian state to free up the political space for each region of Nigeria to develop according to her abilities and endowments, and contribute towards the centre, like all strong democracies of the world. In short, it is this mentality (North vs. South conundrum) that has arrested the all round true development of Nigeria.
By natural divide, much of the North is blessed with fertile agricultural and natural minerals- suffused land mass, with a population that cherishes farming and simple austere but royal life styles. They are markedly different and self-content in their simple and dignified lifestyles. The North has cultural homogeneity that is mistakable. The Southern part and peoples, on the other hand, (call them sunshine and easy going) are equally blessed with natural resources and tend more towards western style education and orientation. They also share unmistakably, similar cultural orientation and temperament. Each of these peoples of the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria know and acknowledge their differences; and have always lived with them, in so far as it relates to everyday lives and preoccupations. Then came the national political space with the proverbial ‘national cake’ which is baked and shared by the central government in a federal structure, hijacked by a devious political class, which conscripts much of the resources from the federating units through a Constitutional arrangement of military origination. To perpetuate the constitutional ‘militocracy’, the political elite, ethnic leaders and opinion molders find themselves trapped in the crab mentality. The current agitations for self-determination by nationalities in Nigeria stem from this constitutional anomaly.
They have also dragged in religion and ethnicity to confuse matters and make the basket containing the crabs even more slippery. Then also, they have brought in the weapon of divide and rule which manipulates the political elite by feeding their greed with droppings from the national cake, thereby polluting the atmosphere with more falsehoods, now elevated to statecraft.
There was a providential guidance that led Nigerians to adopt the six geo-political zones structure; granting three zones to the North and three zones to the South. Indeed, those zonal structures represent a pristine tool for the rapid development of Nigeria, if not for the crab mentality. It is the prime thesis of this essay that Nigeria’s development hinges on restoring a competitive spirit which encourages the six zonal regions to ‘independently’ pursue their development aspirations under a united Nigerian state. The moment for the attainment of this developmental momentum is now, and not tomorrow. It should ride on the crest of the current agitations for referendum, self-determination, devolution of power and restructuring. It is deceitful to continue to carry on as if things are normal. Things are not normal. Those who truly love Nigeria and Nigerians , indeed humankind, must step forward now to rescue affairs in Nigeria.
Beyond the physical agitations, there are also the damages ongoing in the spiritual environment of Nigeria through continued spilling of blood, generation of thoughts of hatred and ill-will among fellow citizens, and diverting the spiritual energies meant for development into fighting and staving off wars and conflicts. It is actually this damage or poisoning of the spiritual atmosphere of Nigeria that would bring about her disintegration faster than all other political machinations, except we take urgent redeeming steps.
One is aware that all the solutions to the challenges of the country are known, and are on the table. The results of various national Conferences and Review Committees/Panels are available for implementation. It only requires the political will, genuine spirit of patriotism, genuine love of fellow man and woman, and a determination among the political leadership and ethnic nationalities to abandon the crab mentality phenomenon. The country would not know true development for as long as each part tenaciously seeks to drag the other parts back. It is clearly possible to convoke a new Nigeria based on the pillars of love, brotherhood and fear of God. The time is now.
- Unegbe writes in via ikeunegbe@gmail.com
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