NIGERIA SHOULD BREAK UP ALONG RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC LINES
Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi, born in 1942, the controversial Military-civilian Libya Dictator of over 40 years, who turned Libya into a haven for anti-Western radicals, until recently; staged a bloodless coup d'état on September 1, 1969, at the age of 27 years, as a Captain, and accepted a ceremonial promotion to Colonel, and has remained at this rank since then; a slim lover of safari suits and sunglasses; thinks that the best way to attain peace in Nigeria is to divide the country into pieces; Moslem-North and Christian-South; or along ethnic lines of about 250 States of Nigeria.
Gaddafi suggested that the former President Olusegun Obasanjo should lead efforts for a Christian homeland in the south with Lagos as its capital; and that a Muslim homeland in the North should have Abuja as its principal city. Possibly Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua should lead the efforts for that, possibly being assisted by Imam Ustaz Mohamed, the chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque. Little did Gaddafi realize that Obasanjo is a turbaned Sheikh? What a wacky approach in resolving Nigeria crises.
Gaddafi characterized Jos violence as a "deep conflict of religious nature" caused by the federal Government, "which was made and imposed by the British in spite of the people's resistance to it." He notes that the Federal Character has its artificial gadget in it. Regardless, Gaddafi anti-western frolics are still imbedded in his blood without his understanding of some Nigerian leaders' pretence under religious intolerance in Nigeria.
What a smart suggestion from the honey bee of the Libya Desert. I doubt the level of consultation Gaddafi had with Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi, who is still working with the Chairman of the Federal Character in addressing Nigeria core problem. Both Smart and Professor should read the lips of the controversial Ugandan scholar, Professor Mahmoud Mamdani of Columbia University, United States of America, that the federal character principle enshrined in the Nigerian constitution is responsible for the conflicts in Nigeria.
United States of America labeled Nigeria as a terrorist country, partially off the hook from the enhanced screening now (April 2010); Nigeria government yelled at the American Government like a rat would yell at a cat, hoping that Nigeria has a safety net to run into. Nigerian Government mouth has been sealed because the satanic verses are being read daily in Nigeria.
How do we qualify the wild religious riots in Nigeria since early eighties without any policy to rectify the religious uprisings; the Niger Delta kidnapping business that has spread across Nigeria, has led to some premature deaths? My friend, Charles Onyirimba, just lost his Mom in the hands of kidnappers?
How do we qualify the action of an individual who drove into the Calabar Airport tarmac to crash his car into the tank of Arik Airline, March 31, 2010? A message of goodwill, good gesture, or what is it?
King of Juju Music, King Sunny Aladeniyi Adegeye sings: "Esinsin tin je elegbo lati ojo to ti pe, eeri sosi, Elegbo wa njesinsin o, Ewa nkigbe; …..." Literarily interpreted to mean that since flies have been sucking on the sore leg, no one speaks, now the sore carrier eats flies, people are yelling.
Muammar Gaddafi helped Nigeria to sing its songs of destruction across the borders of the country; the Nigeria Senate President called Gaddafi, the immediate past President of African Union, a "mad man".
What Gaddafi said is not different from what most Nigerians have been crying for in years, as evidenced by the failed bid for the Republic of Biafra, 1967-1971, with million lives lost. What lessons have Nigerians learned from the civil war?
When such yearning was echoed by an outsider; Nigerians are crucifying the messenger without proper assessment of the message. It is ironic that charlatan Nigerians talk with both sides of their mouth. Some schools of thought believe that if we cannot keep this marriage we could just dissolve it?
How much blame should we rain on the mental laziness of Gaddafi, if not for the brainless superfluous of some Nigerian leaders? Gaddafi might have been exhausted in his mental space without thinking of any other alternative way of resolving Nigeria bloody religious conflict.
Who could educate Gaddafi that the possible underlying variables in the Nigeria religious riots, possibly coming from the North, were partly the frustrations from an environment where drastic divide in peoples' life styles is obvious? It is very apparent that the trough between the rich and the poor in the North is very apparent to any brainless individuals. Unfortunately, the peoples' deceit players would use religion on the poor innocent citizens, to get what they want from the society.
Putting aside the poor conditions within their immediate environment, their leaders take a huge advantage of the people in attaining their political goals. Their leaders capitalize on their vulnerability.
Unfortunately, religion leaders in that part of the country are not that erudite in Islamic Education, as they claim to be. Their knowledge of Islam is very shallow, hence the misinterpretation of the Holy Book Quran, just like some Christians do. The difference is that most Christians are more exposed to what is going on around the world through their exposure to western education. Ironically that is what most Islamic fanatics are against in Nigeria, just like Gaddafi. Yoko Haram is a typical example where a University lecturer abandoned his University lectureship position for shoemaking business.
Unfortunately, and it is ironic, that most Nigerians ignore the salient fact in Gaddafi's lecture which is the salient aspect of all the controversies. No Nigerian, as of now (April 2010), would, or could claim citizenship of any state outside his or her state of origin, regardless his many years in that city or state.
There are many Igbo and Yoruba extractions that have lived in the North longer than their original homes. Unfortunately neither of them could contest for any position at a place most have lived all their life. They pay taxes, being recognized, contributed to the development of the community, not even getting some political positions without reference to their state, or local Government of origin.
Gaddafi is troubled that Nigeria is not cashing in on the advantage of market economy which drives people to migrate to where the market flourishes for their products of interest or specialty. Despite that the issue of indigenes and non-indigenes still count in a free world of market economy. Ironically, Nigeria is not taking its advantage to improve on its citizenry.
According to Gaddafi,
"Its unintended effect has been to turn federal citizenship into an extension of ethnically-defined membership of Native Authorities, and thereby undermine it. By dividing Nigerian citizens into 'indigenes' and 'non-indigenes' - not of Nigeria but of individual states - for purposes of participation in national institutions, it has disenfranchised a growing number of Nigerian citizens, those who do not live in the states where they and their fathers were born."
With the gradual Nigeria integration into the global economy, it is becoming very difficult for Nigerians to adjust to these needs in the current wave of economy with the Federal Character or citizenry.
On the second thought Muammar Gaddafi changed gear that Nigeria should be broken along ethnic lines. We should be expecting to have over 250 countries within the current failing marriage of Nigerians of Ngbati-Ngbati, San nu, and Okoro. Where would be my Ekiti Parapo with its Capital; and how would the Iloffas relate with the Igbominas, Ilorin of mixed ethnic heritage especially with those who have been claiming wrong ethnic affiliation all their life would have challenges. It will be tough.
Looking at it, division of Nigeria into two nations of Christians and Moslems as if the two worrisome religions have no bearing with each other, or along ethnic lines, would be hard to attain. When completed, anytime a Christian planned to go to the Moslem country within Nigeria, he or she has to abide by the Sharia law of not cohabiting with a female member of the Moslem sect, no alcoholic drinks, which could be detrimental to your health anyway, a female visitor has to cover her head even if the temperature reads 100 Degrees Fahrenheit. My blood brothers and sisters who are Moslems should be separated away from me because of religion, not of blood relations.
What about inter-religious marriages? Possibly Amolegbe would go to the North while Ronke goes to the south. What about their children, dual citizenship. Possibly Femi Ajayi would go either way because of the confusion where Femi Chukwuemeka Salaudeen Ajayi belongs. Adisa Lambe would take his family to the north. Which means when I have to see him, I might wait for months before obtaining my visa to cross over. Lambe MUST not drink or look at the ostrich feathers in his vicinity.
What about our landed properties to be abandoned at wherever we are running away from, just in the name of religion. Doing what Americans did to the American Indians being carved a Nation for them within a nation.
Possibly Moslem nations would be carved away from Christians all across the country given different names; Yoruba Islamic State of Lower Niger; Abakaliki Islamic State of Benue Country, Bra Country of the Faithfull Christians in Biu area. Ridiculous scenario!
We won't blame Gaddafi's shallow knowledge about Nigeria complexity since he wants to help Nigeria end further bloodshed in the country, citing India and Pakistan where such has worked. However, each country has its own uniqueness in handling its challenges. People just have to be neatly educated as to the complexity of Nigeria society.
Nigeria is a mixture of many nations with its ethnic divide, religious polarization, unabsorbed Federal Character, disparity in Education, controversial revenue sharing formula, the indolent, voracious, inept of some Nigerian leaders; inhuman approaches to all aspects of Nigeria public life, are few of the variables that must be in place before making a judgment of the happenings in Nigeria.
Disappointedly, the smartest Senator has not found any solution to the issues of Federal Character, teaming with an ethnically biased Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, where religion and ethnicity are the two variables to consider competency for any public position in my darling Kwara State.
Students of history would remind Col. Gaddafi that the splitting of India in 1947 caused a breakdown of law and order in which about 200,000 to one million people lost their life. About 12 million people were left homeless and thousands were raped. An attempt by the Igbo people of south-eastern Nigeria to secede in 1967 sparked a war which left more than one million people dead.
Regrettably, Nigerians should get use to Distinguished Senator Mark's amateurism in language. He REFUSED to attend the course we arranged for him with Professor Wole Soyinka on the use English words, by calling Gaddafi a "mad man". His belt is not tight enough to lead the Senate to come up with laws to avert religious and ethnic challenges facing Nigeria from that part of the country.
Possibly he refused to take a smart pill from his fellow Middle Belt colleague, Senator Smart Adeyemi; 'the Smart Senator' that have not come up with the Federal Character guidelines to qualify Nigerians as citizens of any State they might have resided for at least one year. The phenomenon is making the North uncomfortable with any emerging leader from south of Benue and Niger River.
The National Assembly is not smart enough to produce the ailing Nigeria President shamefully hidden away from Nigerians. What a discreditable act on the part of Nigeria National Assembly.
It is only the man of God Imam Ustaz Mohamed, the chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, who claimed to have met the ailing Yar'Adua, during the week when Christians celebrated the crucification of another Prophet of God, Jesus Christ.
Senator Smart Adeyemi is a smart enough to state that "Nigerians are not religious bigots…………" If Nigerians are not "religious bigots" what are they?
If Nigerians are not extremist, why destroying properties of their fellow Nigerians that have lived with them for years; or why is it impossible for them to be citizens of that state. Even in some northern States where both religions 'compete', if you are not a Moslem you cannot be properly placed in your public career.
If we may ask Senator Smart Adeyemi, what about Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Christmas 2009 averted disaster with his plan to waste 300 lives? Calabar just witnessed another suicide attempt to blow up Arik airline with 95 passengers on board, March 31, 2010. What has government done with the religious riots since the early 80s up to date? Senator Smart Adeyemi is a very smart guy to state that Nigerians are not religious chauvinists.
Those that have actually felt the impact of religious uprisings in the North, especially from the loving peaceful Jos would have something to say in support of Gaddafi's statement. Zainabu is always at the forefront of this, stating that;
"… If we cannot love each other then we need to go our different path. The Igbos has always wanted a Biafra country and I know that if we in the middle belt join them there will be peace. Igbos people will not attack us at night and killed our babies. My brother, it is so painful and if only everyone knows what the Sardauna did with Rwam Pam fifty years ago we will live in harmony with one another. I have lost complete confidence in our government and the people of Nigeria."
Most Nigerians are fed up with the uprisings in the North under the canopy of religion. As Prince Asagwara rightly stated
"With all the rivalries for who gets what, when and how that exists between the Southern ethnic nationalities (Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Ibibio, Efik, Urhobo, Bini), I am yet to see one or a combination of them organize mass killings of the other either in the name of religion or lost economic opportunities as we constantly witness from the Northern parts of Nigeria."
This is sad in the country that should be for Nigerians and citizens of the world.
He went on to conclude that
"If something is not working, you either fix it to work or throw it away or replace it. Nigeria is not working; the ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria will have to come together and fix it to work or jettison it for separate countries. The smallest of the emerging countries will still be larger than some world countries that have seats at the United Nations Organization."
Some religious leaders see Gaddafi's statement as divine intervention, possibly splitting Nigeria into six countries would be ideal: The North East with its Headquarter in Maiduguri; North West in Sokoto, North Central inheriting Abuja, South West, if Lagos is too congested take its Headquarters to Ondo; South East to Enugu, South South to Port Harcourt. This centrist and strong ethnic divide we play in Nigeria could eventually lead to separation as no one, even men of God, could not tell Nigerian leaders the truth.
Given the division where are we going to keep Traditionalists, like the Red Indians in USA. Possibly it is time for Nigerians to come together and discuss the survival of the marriage. Where are we all going with the marriage? Government inability to bring those behind the religious uprising since early eighties, which has made its home in Jos, is a disappointing development in Nigeria.
Some of African leaders always like to build their castles in the space. While most of them are still struggling to put their homes in order, they are yearning for the take-off of United Sates of Africa in 2017. One of the legacies Mummar Gaddafi is leaving behind as the African Union leader is United States of Africa. He is being joined by his Senegalese President, Abdoulaye Wade, big dreamers, leading his Group of 20 African countries. Ebenezer Obey has advised the dreamer who became excited when he dreamt of huge money in his dream to work harder, to eliminate hunger in his life.
Senator Mark is calling Gaddafi a "Mad Man"; the Arewa Consultative Forum is blaming Gaddafi of his ignorance of Nigerian complexity that no Nigerian community had 100 per cent of its inhabitants practicing either Islam or Christianity. The Igbo Youth Movement described Gaddafi's view as instructive and reflective of global opinion on the future of Nigeria. Where is the Yoruba Youthful voice in this equation?
No one wants Nigeria to break up; however, the solution to the bloodlettings will come when we learn to respect the rights of everyone to freedom of worship, actualizing citizenry in Nigeria. Religious, political and community leaders in Nigeria must wake up and inspire a cultural renaissance based on core values of humanity.
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