The growing fierceness of national secession campaigns, in recent times, have seriously threatened the nationhood of Nigeria. While many think a secession at this point is the answer to the problems of Nigeria, a considerable number of people believe it is nowhere close to making things better.
The FG has made attempts to capture the two prime movers of the crusades for the secession of Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho. Recently, Kanu was tracked down to and intercepted from a foreign land, while an attack was launched against Igboho’s residence by the DSS. Following the failed attempt to capture him, he was declared wanted and told to report himself to the nearest security agency.
Nigerians have since then not ceased to express their manifold opinions about this whole saga. Last week, few persons were reached by the ABH Press to share their opinions about this issue. Some of them are contained below:
1. Basically, I am of the opinion that even the leaders of democracies across the globe and those of the most liberal of countries won’t tolerate campaigns fanning secession. This is really the honest truth. Whether or not the concerns raised by agitators are genuine is totally another discussion.
I can’t imagine someone campaigning for the secession of Texas from the United States (that’s even if their constitution permits). Your guess on what the White House would do is as good as mine. Recall Catalan in Spain about a year or two ago?
The morality and legality of the various approaches and responses of governments to these agitations are also debatable, though, but I certainly know that no responsible Head of State or President would watch the country he leads disintegrate.
On the other hand, leaders who fail to ensure that they have a united country – where every part feels part of the union – must be ready to answer questions from affected citizens.
Specifically, on the arrest of Kanu and the attempt by the DSS to arrest Igboho, I think I really hope that the court determines the legality because a lot of factors need to be put in perspective in other to accurately reflect on the matter.
Thank you. — David Adetula.
2. Generally, what I have noticed from the presidency is misinformation. In as much as we want one Nigeria, these agitations would not stop except there are favourable policies to prevent such.
Formally, it was only the South East that was complaining about marginalisation; but with the recent herdsmen killing and the way the federal government has been treating the herdsmen (as Lords without respecting the fact that the herdsmen are overstepping boundaries), agitations for secession has gone beyond just the East. This should be a cause for concern.
The federal government is acting like the government of the North by the North, and for the North, even the southern ministers are acting as if nothing is happening.
The main question is arresting them (Kanu and Igboho) going to stop the agitation for secession?
No, it won’t. Sooner or later, the agitations will still come back.
More protests will still hold until the government starts to act like one of the people, which I doubt will happen. But we might see some change towards the polls.
A confederal system will be key (in solving the problem), though a major disadvantage is the same secession claim. We need to do a constitutional review. Lastly, we need to slowly change a lot of people in power. They are already bugs in the system.
Maybe education, especially in the North, will also be a solution. Illiteracy is a major factor they act like [sensored word]. When they can read and think for themselves. The country will move forward — Benjamin Ajoku
3. The FG decision appears to be a threat to the personal human right of the advocates, and it’s also quite obvious they are trying to protect their interest and image. However, the two advocates (Kanu and Igboho) are men whose acts are controversial. This will also demand an arrest.
4. The FG seems to be behind the Fulanis “power”. If not, they would either have done something meaningful to stop all the (Fulani) attacks or not have arrested the activists. The only thing I’m yet to be convinced about is their motivation is for (the FG) doing so much for them (the Fulanis); being from the Fulanis doesn’t exactly make so much sense. I believe there are greater motivations that are not clear to us. Despite all, I do not for once doubt that the FG has a hand in all they (the Fulanis) do.
5. Igboho is a populist riding on the waves of Governmental inconsistencies. He has no idea of what the political framework and the economy of a seceded Oodua nation would look like. It’s an insult to all the efforts of Nnamdi – regardless of his intentions – to categorise him with Igboho. The Federal government has the constitutional right to arrest him. It’s just that their tyrant manner of approach only fuels the already burning embers of discontent.
If Yoruba are going to really secede (cos that’s what that guy seem to champion), do we have a plan? After secession, what comes next? We should remember that unplanned independence is borne out of pure agitations and vibes, and inshallah is part of what has ruined many African countries today.
6. Well, I will say there is a bit of hypocrisy on the part of the Federal Government. If the FG, with the DSS, is powerful enough to complete this nation, I don’t know why there are still security issues in Nigeria. If these guys are that good, why will criminals and herdsmen and all those kinds of things still be happening? How would Bandits be thriving in the forests, and these people have not been able to find them or have not been able to exterminate them? If the military is this powerful, if the security system is this equipped, how are these people still going unpunished? It just shows hypocrisy.
About Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, I don’t have anything to say. Let’s just watch what happens next.
And concerning Sunday Igboho, I believe there’s no reason for them to arrest him because he has not committed any crime. Okay, well, he might have committed crimes though, he has defended his own people. By every means, he should actually even be awarded a Medal of Honour for protecting (his people) and wiping out the terrorists. But in this Nigeria, it’s just crumbled and scattered. I think we’ll do what we know how to do best; we’ll watch and wait.
Thank you for reading. What do you think? Kindly drop it in the comment box.
