THE BRITISH amalgamated diverse ethnic groups and christened the union Nigeria. So, a revered northern monarch called the union the mistake of 1914, and Chief Awolowo referred to Nigeria as a mere geographical expression.
Since Nigeria came into being, we have always been conscious of our ethnic origins. In the 1950s, during our struggle for political emancipation, the northerners wanted to secede over the Nine Point Programme.
More so, the political parties that existed in pre-independence era and first republic were ethnic based political platforms. They were not national in outlook. The Action Group, AG was to the Yorubas what National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, NCNC was to the Igbos, while Northern People’s Congress, NPC was owned by the northerners.
When the seemingly intractable crisis in the western region prompted and motivated the five majors to topple the political regime of Sir Tafawa Balewa, it was branded an Igbo coup. Consequently, a counter-coup happened some six months later, and the Hausa-Fulani carried out a genocidal decimation of the Igbo population in the north.
This led to the 30-month civil war, at the end of which Yakubu Gowon declared that neither side emerged as the winner in the Nigerian/ Biafrian civil war. It was no victor no vanquished. He formulated some programmes, like the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC to help the nation achieve national integration and cohesion.
But true peace and unity has continued to elude us since then. We look at issues through the prism of ethnicity.
We are retrogressing in Nigeria because the issue of ethnic origin is one of the factors that determine those who will occupy exalted positions in our super structure. When merit is sacrificed on the altar of ethnic origin and religion, backwardness is guaranteed.
It is akin to putting a square peg in a round hole. Nigeria moves in circles as old, tired and incompetent people are recycled in public office in order to ensure balance of power among the ethnic groups. Is Nigeria being led by its first 11?
Mediocre leadership yields infrastructural decay, dysfunctional educational system, and other social ills.
It takes a great leader for a country to become a great nation. Contrast what happens in Europe and America with what happens in Nigeria. In the immediate past, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State relieved non-indigenes in Abia State civil service of their jobs.
Accident of birth is the reason their parents are not of Abia State origin. And, they paid dearly for that after they had served for long years in the Abia State civil service. The issue of indigeneship and state of origin as it concerns contesting elective posts and civil service should be addressed holistically by lawmakers.
It hurts to hear that a man who lived a greater part of his life in Anambra State should be denied certain privileges in the state because of his state of origin.
It is apparent that Nigeria is not practicing true federalism. The pseudo and lopsided federalism we practice cannot cater to the exigencies of the time and our peculiar problems. This pseudo-federalism accounts for our stunted national development.
In a true federal state, a man who hails from Anambra State would be able to win election in his state of residence, which may not be Anambra State. He will not be labelled omo-Igbo and stereotyped because of his ethnic origin. The electorate will assess him based on his personal qualities and pedigree and not based on his native tongue and religion.
And the ethnic chauvinism drive and campaign of some ethnic groups in our country does not make for peace and progress. The slogan of a state in the North is born to rule. This kind of political posture undermines our national unity. Let us see one another as one people and equal partners in the Nigerian federation.
Lastly, the deportation of destitute of Igbo extraction from Lagos to Onitsha is an injudicious and insensitive action. Aren’t they Nigerians? Can’t the Lagos State government rehabilitate them and give them a better life in Lagos? Where would Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State deport beggars, who hail from the state? Or, are all Lagosians born with silver spoons in their mouths?
Okoye wrote in from Uruowulu- Obosi, Anambra State.