Restructuring The Nigerian Federation (Part 2) By Nathaniel I. Ndiokwere

The Restructuring Agenda – “Nigeria” And The “New Republics"

As I have stated it clearly elsewhere and many Nigerians agree with me, the break-up of Nigeria into at least 4 independent nations (republics), similar to the pre-war regional grouping of North, West, South-East, and Mid-West, is more tenable (defensible, reasonable option) than forging a United States of Nigeria (USN). It is a bad dream. The Bible paints the picture so well when it asserts that it would be easier for a camel’s head to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven!  Amidst many problems ahead, the survival of Republics of Biafra, Oduduwa, or Oodua, Niger Delta (Rondel), Middle Belt, as independent enviable models of black African nations, is more likely than insincere and hypocritical negotiations to keep Nigeria one, where there will be no domination, oppression or injustices; and the captain of the ship must always be a Muslim otherwise there will be chaos and instability.

Many Nigerians have not been happy with the name NIGERIA which we were told was imposed by Lady Lugard or other British woman. Who should blame them? There was no other possible rightful name or designation for over 250 ethnic communities the colonialists decided to lump together for their selfish economic and political reasons. Those were the types of divisions and nomenclature they invented at the Berlin Conference where the “Scramble for Africa” war started as European nations – Britain, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Germany and others came together to share the ‘booty’. There is urgent need to restructure NIGERIA. A United States (36 or 250 or more) of Nigeria is an illusion! The experiment has woefully failed. The AREWA YOUTHS don’t need to declare war on any section of the country before a peaceful conference is called by the elders of the country to settle the matter. What I am doing here is laying down a platform for easy ‘transformation’, ‘transition’,, ‘friction-free’, ‘take-off ‘of the new Republics.  Here you find my own restructuring plan.

“NORTHERN NIGERIA” – “THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA”

After a peaceful Sovereign National Conference to restructure the present political union or “United States of Nigeria” which is not working, each new republic is free to assume a new name or identity and if they choose establish friendly relationships with neighboring countries. As I see it after the other republics had gone, it is likely the North will like to retain the Nigerian identity and name “The Islamic Republic of Nigeria”. As we know and the North has expressed that desire in word and deed, they want an Islamic Republic, which is a name given to states ruled by Islamic laws, Sharia, including Islamic Republics of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mauritania and a few others whose leaders and peoples are fascinated by the teachings of prophet Muhammad.

“DIPPING THE KORAN INTO THE SEA” – THE ISLAMIZATION AGENDA

What do Igbos and Nigerians who claim to be smart, intelligent, patriotic, peace-loving and believers in a United and  indivisible  federal republic of Nigeria make out of regular authentic and verified reports that so many and many more army and police officers are being retired, or have been retired or dismissed(and more than 90% of then are from the Southeast, South-South and Southwest) by the federal government under the leadership of president Muhammad Buhari, but steered and captained by the Hausa-Fulani cabals? What do you, my honest reader, make out of reports that over 80% of top posts in the army, police, customs, immigration and others are occupied by Northerners? Nigerian embassies and consulates are being headed now by Muslims? Or are these fake news or vicious propaganda by the Igbos and their allies to destabilize the government of Nigeria under the leadership of APC?

The Islamization of Nigeria was a major part of the desperate quest to conquer Biafra and the Igbo and ‘keep Nigeria one! The Muslim agenda, after the annihilation of the Igbo race (their stubborn and biggest opposition), was “Dipping the Koran into the Sea!” That would be the final victory and conquest of the South, that task having been accomplished already in the North by Usman Dan Fodio and his descendants. Who is distorting the facts and history? Without any one stopping them or making attempts at fighting back, the declaration of the Islamic Republic of Nigeria is the end product of a project or agenda started long time ago. Signs of the times are there and who should claim to have been taken unawares!

“MIDDLE BELT REPUBLIC”

Most southerners had in the past, erroneously lumped all ethnic groups in Northern region together as Hausa-Fulani and even all Muslim! Surely there is a large Christian population in the North and most Middle Belters have many Igbo brothers and sisters. Thanks to God that a press release by MIDDLE BELT YOUTH COUNCIL has thrown light into the present debate as they have made their position crystal clear in the following statements, part of the major declarations:

(A)  It is no longer news that our country Nigeria is facing a daunting challenge of peace and unity but we want to assure the good citizens of Nigeria that we have been a peace-loving people and we'll continue to be. But, in an event one part of the country decides to go away as a separate entity, Middle Belt is also ready to make an independent statement.
(B)   We want to clarify those who think that the Middle Belt is part of the North that they are wrong. God created everywhere and everyone and He gave it to whom He chooses and Middle Belt is a creation of God and not man (Usman Dan Fodio). Therefore, we choose what to use our land for, how to run it and where we want to be. Middle Belt has been a home for the South-East, South-South and the South-West without any form of discrimination against anyone.
(C)   Southern Nigeria people should also know that 'Middle Belters' are not northerners and we can never be because we're not affiliated in terms of culture, language, education, economy, and general lifestyle.
(D)  Over the years, our federalism has been a fat lie that deprives political rights and freedom of some sections of the country while others benefit immensely from it. Middle Belt has been at the receiving end of this inequitable arrangement in which our people in Southern Kaduna, Southern Bauchi, Southern Borno, Southern Kebbi, Adamawa are under constant alienation and annihilation.
(E)   Therefore, Middle Belt strongly stands for reconstruction of Nigeria not only restructuring. We'll join hands with Southern Nigerian people to actualize it. So the did is done. The “Middle  Belt Republic” is getting ready for the ‘D-Day’. It will be peaceful. Non one is going to war. With whom are you going to fight?

A SERIOUS NOTE OF WARNING

A note of warning! There is need for the many ethnic groups in the South - major and minorities - the igbo, Yoruba, Efiks, Ijaws etc to take note that all the ethnic groups cannot become autonomous and survive as independent nations. The same applies to the Middle Belt regional groups and so-called minorities of the North. Igbos should be the first to receive the warning notes, as they and their political and traditional leaders are well known for their divisive dreams or mentality – autonomous communities and creation of more local government areas mania. It is crazy to make every village in Igboland autonomous community, each political unit a local government etc. Creation of states and more states in Nigeria has not resolved any of the malignant problems troubling the nation – from 4 regions to 12 states structure, to 19, to 36 ! And demand for more autonomous communities, local government areas and states has remained unabated. There will no need for more independent Republics from the old “British-Made-Nigeria”.

THE WESTERN REGION – “ODUDUWA” OR “OODUA REPUBLIC”

The days of Akintola (whose political gimmicks and romance with the Hausa-Fulani Cabals) contributed to the military intervention in 1966 and the subsequent chaos that followed in the Independent Nigeria political experiment), and Awolowo (the reckless rebel and unwanted opposition, in the eyes of the British and Tafawa Balewa, whose behavior and utterances landed him in Kirikiri Prison after conviction of the crime of treasonable felony, and after his release by Ojukwu, decided to side Igbo enemies in  Nigeria’s war of aggression again Biafra), MKO Abiola (the flamboyant Yoruba Politician and wealthy businessman, who rejected Igbo support and friendship during his torturous campaign and dream to rule Nigeria as president), are all gone. Gradually other key Yoruba politicians are stepping aside- Obasanjo, Tinubu and others are becoming irrelevant as they have so far left no worthy legacies and can never become mentors for the youths. Olusegun Obasanjo (two time president, wanted a third tenure like fellow African dictators, but failed!).

It is evil and as a result of prejudices and past history of ethnic hate and political and cultural rhetoric to dismiss some of the younger generation of YORUBA leaders, including personalities like Femi-Fani-Kayode or Peter Ayodele Fayose, current governor of Ekiti State as irrelevant figures in the present Nigerian politics and call them names. Such are the type of ‘radicals’ and ‘revolutionaries’ Nigeria needs today – outspoken, fearless, uncompromising, confrontational and stubborn. There are many brilliant Yoruba politicians that can handle the problems of their own republic.

THE MID-WEST REGION OR “NIGER DELTA REPUBLIC” OR “RONDEL”

If this region of Nigeria wants their own “Biafra”, they are free to begin in time searching for credible leadership. They should remember that sometime in 1967/8, “There was Republic of Benin.”, like “Republic of Biafra”.  They need to be united. There are many illustrious sons of Edo and Delta region to handle the problems of that new republic. And courageously a group that calls itself RONDEL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT (RSM) has emerged making their intentions about separate political autonomy crystal clear in this declaration which I presume is directed to Biafra-Igbos:  “That no inch of Rondel in the six states of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Edo, and Rivers States shall ever be ceded to any other people or nation for any reason whatsoever and all those people drawing maps up and down are hereby warned to desist forthwith or risk our disproportionate vengeance including present and future social and economic sanctions.”  In a press release the RSM stated the following
1)     We demand Independence for Rondel from Nigeria from 2018.
2)      Rondel comprises all the six states in the present South-South of Nigeria.
3)     Rondel is an acronym derived from the Region of Niger Delta, later Republic of Niger Delta, if the Arewa groups make good their threats.
4)     Rondel is our name, Rondish will be our Language and Rondland shall be our capital city. Details of these, including the locations of Rondland, shall be in our October 1 book. The Republic of Delta-Rondel is set. Is not a sensible step in case of any eventuality?

THE EASTERN REGION – BIAFRA

Igbos don't need to be ‘expelled’ by AREWA YOUTH COUNCIL from the Northern Nigeria or any other anti-Igbo groups from other parts of Nigeria before we begin to prepare to unify and plan for our future. There is no need for war or any form of armed conflicts.
And so we finally come to the Igbo-Biafra case. The Consultative Assembly of Eastern Nigeria had before May 30, 1967 recommended the name BIAFRA. There is no need for a new name. The whole world already knows BIAFRA and its history, right from its birth till today. All Igbo youths including non-Igbos who accept Biafra are comfortable with the name. What is worrisome is the leadership! Who will go for us? Who will become the captain of the ship? A new generation of brilliant, ingenious and selfless leaders, in the footsteps of Odumegwu Ojukwu or Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe may not be easily available throughout Igbo nation? No other name(s) comes to mind! Please my dear reader if I have maliciously left any possible Igbo patriot, true Biafran who is worthy of this important office or post, “President of the Republic of Biafra”, please don't crucify me yet. Just supply the missing gaps!
But stop! Oh yes! Forgive me! The name ROCHAS ANAYO OKOROCHA comes to mind! But what a disaster! Don't mention it! Tufia kwa!! Chukwu Abiamara will not give His approval, and I am sure all Igbo worshippers of the Supreme God of the universe. Everyone thought he was the messiah sent to liberate Imolites and Ndigbo! What a tragedy!

But here comes the bombshell that shook Okorocha, and made him dislike the author(the present writer)  of his book “Rochas Revolution, Leadership by example.

 “As a politician of an Igbo extraction, an ex-Biafran, coming from the secessionist region that fought Nigeria in the 1967-70 civil war, Rochas could not have clinched the highest political office in Nigeria, in spite of his popularity among other Nigerian ethnic groups, North, West and South of the nation…..”

This Igbo son was not pleased that this writer did not approve his mad dream and with loud standing ovation, to join the Hausa-Fulani APC and hence increase his chances of becoming the next president of the federal republic of Nigeria! Wow! Wonders will never end and did Shakespeare not say it in Macbeth, namely that ‘ambition is made of sterner stuff’.  If one is made of ‘sterner stuff’, it simply means the one is a strong personality and capable of overcoming difficulties and problems! Is Rochas such a personality? Was his not a mere wishful thinking? A serious joke of the time!

IGBOS IN SEARCH OF LEADERSHIP – WHO WILL GO FOR US!

Who will go for the Igbo nation, we continue to ask. From which ‘stock’ will he emerge? Very important investigation! As far as Igbos know, we have quite limited number or list of possible leaders to choose from.

AFTER ODUMEGWU OJUKWU!

Perhaps Ojukwu (Jr.) could have continued in the footsteps of the father, Ikemba Nnewi and there would have been little vacuum in the Biafra leadership forum. Dead or alive there were still around millions of ‘Ojukwu boys and fanatics around!” Perhaps Igbo people, under trustworthy and competent “Ojukwu figure” would have prevented charlatans, interlopers, lions in sheep’s clothing, traitors, hirelings and corrupt Igbo politicians from grabbing power and messing up Igbos and making Igbos laughing stock of other ethnic groups and nations. Perhaps Igboland would have developed and industrialized, so that the proud and ingenious Biafrans would not flee Igboland and become drawers of water and hewers of wood, involved in nasty and humiliating menial jobs all over the world today, including countries as many times poorer than Nigeria and Igboland. Igbo youths would have never gotten involved in criminal activities which lead to their untimely death! Education, the true and safest road to power, civilization, progress and development would not have been abandoned by Igbo youths in preference to search for quick wealth and prosperity. Igbo manufacturers would have become exporters and not importers of all sorts of merchandise, including used clothing, second-hand wears and cars.

AFTER SAMUEL ONUNAKA MBAKWE!

Perhaps Igboland or Biafra land would have witnessed great development if MBAKWE (Jr.), worthy son of one time Governor of Imo State had the knowledge, audacity and leadership qualities to direct the affairs of Igbo people. Samuel Mbakwe knew the importance of education, establishment of industries, building of good roads and even the need for an international airport in Igbo heartland. Someone in the footsteps of Mbakwe (son, daughter, grand child or distant brother or nephew) and with the MBAKWE vision could have developed Igboland with or without federal government assistance! Don't you agree with me?

FROM JOHN UGWU NWODO STOCK!

Who will go for Ndigbo? I am happy that my readers have followed closely my trend of thought. By starting with Ojukwu, I tried to emphasize the qualities or characteristics of good leadership. In the second place I tried to make it clear that Igbos have no more political relevance in Nigeria as long as Igbo political leaders are not united. If the present OHANEZE NDIGBO has any good agenda or plans for Igbo people, as Igbos still find themselves as Nigerians, none of their agenda may include “Igbo Presidency” in the Nigerian federation. That will be moving to a very wrong direction, an exercise in futility. Among the frontline Igbo leaders, past and the present, we have not been able to identify any worthy of honor and emulation, after Ojukwu and Mbakwe.  Did the ancient not tell us that “Charity begins at home? We have to begin from Igboland, Igbo states, Igbo local government administrations.  How can a father of one wife and two kids, unable to manage and take care of the small family, become a super head of a family of 10 or more wives with incredible number of children? As the older generation of Nigerian and Igbo leaders had either passed away and those still alive can barely walk or feed themselves, it is imperative that the younger capable ones must now be given the right support and allowed to lead. This is why I am giving my support to the present leader of OHANEZE NDIGBO – NNIA NWODO.

NNIA NWODO FOR THE REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA PRESIDENCY!

We have reasons to recommend the illustrious son of Igboland, from princely Nwodo family of Ukehe, Nsukka, Enugu state.  Knowing this guy and following his intellectual and political development since he was 14, makes me qualified and in good position to issue him with a good testimonial, which he must appreciate. The Nwodo family spent the entire Biafra war period in Orlu Town (1968-1970) in my uncle’s house st Umudiato Orlu village.

From his comportment, smartness and intelligence I remembered I told my uncle, one of my brothers, and his elder sister, now late (Cecilia, we addressed ‘Cey’) that the boy NNIA and the other fairer brother Okwesili, may one day become  great politicians in the footsteps of their father Nwodo (Senior) as well as in the footsteps of Ojukwu! Not kidding you. We didn't much interact with Chief John Ugwu Nwodo, their father, the then Minister of Local Government in the Eastern Nigeria Regional Government (1961-1966). Who ever thought the boy NNIA, as they addressed him, would have held good positions in various parties, governments, and ministries. Now the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo! The greatest is to come and not a dream.  We encourage him and many Biafra youths are excited about his leadership qualities. One can refer to the guy as President of OHANEZE NDIGBO; but Igbo is another name for Biafra. There is nothing wrong in getting prepared for any eventuality, especially in the present political and economic situation facing Nigeria. Igbos have very scanty number or group of leaders (traditional and political) to consider.

CONCLUSION

If you have followed my arguments faithfully with an open mind, dear friend, you must have clearly understood that I am not campaigning for the break-up of Nigeria or disintegration or chaos. No! I am simply stating the obvious that one day, may not be tomorrow, but sometime, at least four countries, autonomous, independent republics, will replace the present contraption assembled by the British colonial masters. What I am interested in is the Igbo preparedness, readiness for this event, possibly a peaceful pronouncement made by all the leaders, political, traditional and spiritual leaders of our country after candid deliberations after a Sovereign National Conference on the future political arrangement for Nigeria. How are Igbos preparing for this august event. A stitch in time saves nine, the ancients tell us. Who will go for us?

Make your own nomination! My dear brothers and sisters, you are free to nominate your own candidates for the top position of Igbo leadership. But remember the basic qualifications and grades, of A’s, B’s, Credits and Passes required, among them (1) An Igbo leader who cannot be ‘settled’, who cannot be bribed. They say Ndigbo, ‘Nyamiri’ love money and we know our weaknesses. (2) An Igbo man who puts IGBO first (just like Trump vows to put America first in everything – security, jobs, basic infrastructure etc.). (3) Selfless Service – Committed to the restoration of IGBO dignity and respect and God-given talents. Academic certificates, professional and traditional titles are not the basic requirements for good leadership; rather virtues of humility, wisdom, selfless-service, ability to unify the fragmented Igbo states and communities, majority and minority groups, openness to dialogue and love of fatherland above other interests. (End)