This conference must reinforce Nigeria’s indivisibility

To its commendable credit, the Federal Government has declared that the indissolubility and unity of Nigeria will not be challenged at the conference thereby foreclosing any attempt by anybody or groups to seek to canvass the issue. However it has been observed that the Federal Government’s declaration notwithstanding, some groups have persisted in their call […]

To its commendable credit, the Federal Government has declared that the indissolubility and unity of Nigeria will not be challenged at the conference thereby foreclosing any attempt by anybody or groups to seek to canvass the issue. However it has been observed that the Federal Government’s declaration notwithstanding, some groups have persisted in their call for the issue to be featured at the conference.
This can only mean that either the Federal Government has not demonstrated sufficient vigorous conviction in backing up the declaration to deter unrepentant secessionists, or that somebody is saying one thing and meaning another. Taking it further it might well be that because of the expected vigorous resistance it may generate were the issue be included among the topics to be discussed at the conference,  a red herring is being prepared wherein some groups having been well briefed in advance will attempt to bring it up surreptitiously at some arranged point in the proceedings.  
As yet those that have talked rather flippantly about the need to secede or break this “forced contraption” as they described Nigeria have not offered any convincing argument as to how this can come about and whether in the unlikely event of it happening, Nigerians and the world at large can contain or manage the consequences. There is always the loose talk on the need for Nigerians to “renegotiate the terms of our existence” because “the colonial power brought disparate entities into a forced union for his own interest rather than ours”. Although at first sight these arguments may sound noble, on close examination especially of the objective reality on ground, these arguments however attempt to mask a barely hidden pernicious agenda. There are those who see themselves as being cheated in a Nigeria where they have to share the proceeds of natural resources found in their location with other less endowed areas. To them, it is either the rest of Nigeria allows them to hold onto the proceeds of such resources exclusively, feeling free to give whatever it pleases them; or Nigeria itself may well break wherein they will be able to apply direct control over the resources. Then there are those who feel with a large dose of undisguised hubris that being by their own judgment, the most “clever and resourceful Nigerians” confers on them the right to lord it over their compatriots. Frustrated at the indifference of other Nigerians to self-abnegate to this line of argument, they have resorted to seeking to secede from Nigeria in order to actualize their potentials which a Nigeria full of “backward” elements denies them.
Both these strands of sentiments have been in the public space for long, but they have become more stridently significant of late prompting one to ask why. There can only be one explanation for this. These sentiments to dismember Nigeria have assumed a vigorous tenor lately on the hope and possible expectation that some foreign power or powers would come to the aid of such secessionist attempts in a strategic grand plan. They are timed to key into the assessment by one of such powers a couple of years ago that Nigeria will disintegrate by 2015 due to internal contradictions. Indeed there are those who believe that with the current situation of things in the country this assessment is not only being borne out, but that the whole thing has been programmed and premeditated.  
For the avoidance of doubt there can be no alternative to Nigeria remaining one. On the sentiments that Nigeria was a forced union, we can argue that with very few unremarkable exceptions, virtually every important country in the world stemmed from similar background. Britain, a union of Anglo-Saxons, Celts, and ancient Romans was forcibly founded by the Normans of France in 1066 who themselves originated from Scandinavia. France a country of Normans, Romans, Saxons and Celts was established by the Franks who originated from Franconia in the present day Bavaria of Germany. America of course was also a forcible creation of the major nations of Europe which today has formed its unique identity in the world.
On the sentiment that some sections express about seceding from Nigeria in order to exercise greater control over resources located in their areas, there is no guarantee that that will be as painless as hoped. We only need to look at what is happening South Sudan to buttress this. Moreover what is the basis for the hope that the oil majors who actually are the real owners of the resource will even cooperate or acquiesce with such an arrangement knowing full well that as a result of the numerous mutually antagonistic ethnic nationalities in the region, there will be no guaranty for security of infrastructure and investment adding to the cost of operations. Would that not result in pains for the peoples of the area and by extension Nigeria as a whole?
To attempt to dismember Nigeria would result in pain not only for those attempting it but Nigeria and indeed Africa as whole. From the amalgamation in 1914 of the Northern and Southern protectorates to Independence in 1960 right up to the present thirty six states structure Nigeria has been slowly but surely integrating into a formidable union of African people with great future potential.  To be sure the union is not perfect and there are justifications for some sections feeling left out and others feeling that the pace of development and integration does not suit them. In the long and arduous journey to where we found ourselves today, we have endured a lot of sacrifices and costs. But through all these we have found the strength to move on through the resilience of the average Nigerian.  To attempt to dismember it now on the basis of spurious sentiments would result in turning back the hands of time which the peoples of Nigeria can ill-afford.
That is why it is imperative on all Nigerians from all walks of life to be vigilant on proceedings at the National Conference. While it provides a needed forum for us as Nigerians to look at ourselves and discuss truthfully and constructively about issues that are germane to our current existence, we must also be on the lookout for those that will attempt to use the conference as a launching pad for causing further anguish on Nigerians. Nigerians must not allow any politician no matter how highly placed or positioned, or any group or sections no matter the grievances, contrived or real to seek destroy our collective existence.  The sad and unfortunate examples of South Sudan and Central African Republic ought to be instructive.
    
Gadu wrote from Abuja <[email protected]>;

(Editor’s note: The column piece title Immigration haram! is by our regular contributor Wole Olaoye; the wrong attribution is regretted.)