The Nigerian political space is famous for her regenerational “noise” around political instability. Nigeria is about the only country that takes pride in the obsession and preoccupation of monumental distractions which has over time graduated into a separate national business. While other nations of the world set busy at improving their status and economy, Nigeria on the other hand often find a distraction to play time. The rave of this time has been served and as it so seem, Nigeria will not stand from the dinning quite soon.
Some youths from the northern part of Nigeria have insinuated that Igbos must relocate before the coming National Independence Day celebration. They claimed that since Igbos have been agitating for the return of Biafra, which (of course) they (Igbos) claim as solace to their grievance against the alleged crime committed by Nigeria against them, then, they (Igbos) are strongly urged to quit their land (North) before the said date.
These Arewa youths in their exuberance have incited fear in the land (no doubt) with this pronouncement. And, in restoing peace as a way to avert the consequences that may ensue therefrom, concern leaders across the country have reacted, condemning such statement. More stern on this is the statement from the Kaduna State Government, ordering the arrest of these youths.
It is however shameful to hear (as reported in the news) the support of this nation threatening statement by a party of elders in the north. The news mentioned Prof. Ango Abdullahi, former Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as one of those supporters to this statement. The wound from this grudge is what Nigeria is currently fighting to cure. With recent developments, remedy strategies are being deployed by the government to address the situation and bury the mischievous plot against the Igbos by these notorious Arewa youths.
Ever since the disclosure of the threat message, a number of leaders have rised to condemn the statement, assuring the Igbo people residing and doing business in the north, safety. On Saturday, 11th of June, Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in a wedding ceremony, likened the existence of the country to a marriage. He emphased that the most important thing is to stay united against all grounds. He noted this while addressing the new couple.
“It is the same marriage that nations go through. Our nation has been in marriage for a while now. Sometimes there are quarrels within that marriage. Sometimes there is disagreement. What is important is that you must remain together. You must remain united,” the Acting President said.
In line with the call of the Acting President, the leader of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki also hammered on the need to sensitize the public on the essence of embracing the one Nigeria ideology. He established his position, stating that Nigeria is greater when we are together.
“We must rise up to make a statement on what is happening. We will be failing if we do not do something that will reassure the people on the need for one Nigeria. We are greater being together than going our separate ways.”
Another major leader, Leader of the Northern Elders Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, disapproves of the statement, holding a position that no individual has the right to restrict others. He called the move as an infringement to one’s human rights according to the law. He registered his full support towards achieving Unity, recalling how he was sent to prison on the account for calling for a united state in 1963.
“Even the laws that some state assemblies are making, restricting the movement of Fulani herdsmen, are unconstitutional. Anybody who said Nigerians should not live in any part of the country is violating the provision of the constitution.
“We belong to two different groups diametrically opposed to one another in terms of ideology. We are opposed to one another all along right from the beginning. We (NEC) are for Nigeria’s unity… I have been in support of Nigerian unity since 1963. I was sent to jail in 1963 on account of my support for the unity of Nigeria.”
Also on the line up is Nigeria’s Sat Guru Maharaji, founder of the One Love Family. According to the spiritual leader, only the Sultan of Sokoto can intervene in the matter so as to subdue the existing tension. He noted that only a leader like His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar (III) can speak the so called Arewa youths, who agitated for the eviction of Igbos from the north, into withdrawing their fisticuff statement, because of the level of respect and authority accorded to him by Northerners. He therefore prayed His Eminence to call the Arewa youths to order.
“Those involved must be persuaded to withdraw their statements and warned to desist from such acts of terrorizing people and threatening social coherence and the peace of the land. Such threat coming during the Ramadan fasting time goes a long way to prove that these people are under heavy manipulation to destabilize the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, like other rebel and secessionist leaders all over the world tried to destabilize their countries.
“I am, therefore, asking the Sultan of Sokoto to intervene and make a categorical statement for the withdrawal of that quit order within two weeks (14 days) from the date of this press conference to show that His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, truly believes in one Nigeria and that a leader in his capacity should not allow disgruntled people in the area to cause trouble.”
