[Anzaa MsonterParticipant]

Following the intimidating series of problems facing Nigeria, a number of “concerned Nigerians” have articulately called for a split of the country along the North-South border. This, it is argued, will bring a solution to the incessant political competition between North and South and the current “religious” crises of Boko Haram. But do you really belive Nigeria has come to a point where she must break up? If you do what are your reasons? And if you don’t, where do you think we are getting it wrong?

[Tola OdejayiParticipant]

Hi @Sontel.

First of all, there’s no clear agreement as to where ‘North’ and ‘South’ is. Does the ‘North’ include predominantly Christian states like Plateau and Benue?

Now I’ll answer those questions one by one.

…do you really belive Nigeria has come to a point where she must break up?

Not yet, although this is not to say that I believe that Nigeria should NEVER break up. There is nowhere that it is written in stone that Nigeria must stay as one.

But like a bad marriage, I think that intermediate options should be explored before a final divorce. And in this case, the divorce is bound to be very messy. I think about what happened in the partition of India in 1947; I would not want that to happen in Nigeria.

And if you don’t, where do you think we are getting it wrong?

I think that a lot of the problems that people think should be solved by a break up would be solved if:
[a] There was a higher degree of autonomy in the way each state ran its own affairs. If a person now knows that the reason that he is suffering is not because of someone in Abuja, but because of his own kinsman who is running affairs in his own state, then he knows that he should focus his anger on that kinsman.

An improvement in infrastructure and security, thus leading to an improved economy. I see no reason right now why state governments cannot make concerted efforts to improve their infrastructure now instead of waiting for the Federal Government (especially now that the Federal Government has said that state governments can get involved in providing electricity).

One challenge for the states would be getting money to pay for infrastructure projects. Right now, states depend heavily on allocations from Abuja, but what they should be doing is raising their own revenue (internally and externally).

The issue of state security is another matter, though – I think that the Federal Government may not want to release its hold on the police.

[King kObOkOParticipant]

I know that this “Worn Nigeria” is unworkable & must surely break up soon.

I know that Britain created this country just for their own selfish economic benefit, without considering d many ethnic nations within this “Worn Nigeria”. No wonder, Obafemi Awolowo rightly said “Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression…”

I know that this 21st century is d era of self-determination & free nations. This is d century 4d dismantling & readjustment of those false boundaries drawn by colonialism during d Berlin Conference of 1884.
SOUTH SUDAN is free.
AZAWAD is free.
BIAFRA shall b free.
ODUDUWA, AREWA, MIDDLE-BELT, NIGER-DELTA REPUBLICS shall b free.

It’s only a matter of when. Mark my words! & pls read http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/remi-oyeyemi/why-nigeria-must-break-up.html

[Tola OdejayiParticipant]

@Koboko, I agree that Nigeria is not a ‘natural’ country arising from the common agreement of its peoples to form a nation. I also agree that because of this, there are going to be continuous tensions.

But it takes more than this state of affairs to bring about a split.

Note that both South Sudan and Azawad both had military groups that actively fought for the independence of their regions; we do not have this situation in Nigeria today (nor do I think that it is desirable for this to happen).

Anyway, given the performance of the state governors of these regions, do you really think that if these regions become independent, that anything will change?

[EletrikaParticipant]

If you want a break up, why not start with yourself? Go to your village and stay. Like minds will definitely join you with time and you people can develop your autonomous community together. I’m fed up of hearing all this break-up stuff. We already have different geographical locations, all we need to do is just move. Simple.

[Seun-OdukoyaParticipant]

@babyada…

LMAO!!!!!!!!!

Well…I think this should be viewed objectively. What would the point of the breakup? Is it really going to solve any problems? Is it really going to change anything? How clear are the demographics of ‘North’ and ‘South’…as Tola stated up there?

It’s easier said than done.

[bbtagoroParticipant]

@babyada, I sincerely agree with you. Break up or not, let all desired change start from that person that dreamt about it.

We shall surely get to the promiseland. How many years does it take America to reach where they are today.

Everything stand on predestination. If GOD did not want a nation called Nigeria, it never would have been easy for the Britons to create it.

We shall surely overcome all me these obstacles INSHA ALLAH.

[EletrikaParticipant]

I think the major problem we have with ourselves is our mentality. Even if we break up, I can swear with my head that our problems will never get better. It might even get worse. Our major problem is not that name ‘Nigeria’, but the people that make it up. As far as I’m concerned, Nigeria is just a name. If it breaks up tomorrow, those same influential people we fear are still the same people that will be in charge of the mini groups. The majority fear-filled populace will still remain the same. I started a book about the Igbo people, relating the kind of people they are to the kind of rulers they’re likely to be when this cry for sovereign state of Biafra began again of recent. I just hope I’ll ever be able to finish it.

All I can say is that we should re-examine ourselves as Nigerians. We’re greater than this conflicts we’re having. Even our kind of spirit alone is enough to tell us that.

[kayceeParticipant]

This discourse is hopeless. Its aim is to only depress the well meaning Nigerians. We know everything is wrong with our dear country, but we are trying our best to make things work.
I get murderously angry when I hear some unreasonable people rant with their dooms day theories for my country.
I wish I could delete this topic. Some views are pointless and have countlessly been aired, we are tired of the noise.

My life is beautiful, I have all I need and most things that I want. I am a Nigerian and I am rich, and I will still be rich even if Nigeria breaks up.
Even in Nigeria you can rise, you can be what ever you want to be. Stop blaming my beloved country for your personal woes.

@babyada, God go bless you.
@koboko, if we ever meet, I owe you a slap.
@sontel, don’t you seriously have something better to do than try to tell us what we already know? Proffer a solution snd stop asking useless questions.

[shaifamilyParticipant]

I hear U????? @Tola-odejayi but Nigeria as a political entity was ill-conceived. The same way India also was.
I fink it is entrenched in d Britisht system of seperation, exclusion and division….which they saw as better administrative models.
Breaking up is only a matter of time. And this is not even talking abt religion or tribal affiliations.

[shaifamilyParticipant]

I just hope we have d maturity to do it peacefully, rather than hanging on stupidly to our bunched- up- dirty -rag of a stitched together country called nigeria.

[sambrightParticipant]

Whether we like it or not,Nigeria will not break up.shikenan!

[sambrightParticipant]

Whether we like it or not,Nigeria will not break up.shikenan!

[RaymondParticipant]

@kaycee, MUSKETEER!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! KAI! I love U, no be small.

U know d funny thing? All these people calling for break-up, if it happens, do U think anything will change? The same people eating under Nigeria in the Biafran/Other states, won’t they still be the same people in the event of a break-up? Will MEND go to Nigeria? Do U think Niger-Delta will share her resources with Biafra et al?

Abeg, make una rest. Like @kaycee said, stop blaming the country for Ur woes. People are also making it in 9ja. U wanna secede? Start by leaving the city. Go to ya village and stay. Make we hear word.

[kayceeParticipant]

@raymond!
Gbam!!
Don’t mind the Lazy broke asses.

[Author]

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