There has been a rising a clamour by different groups and individuals for restructuring of the country. This attained crescendo when a coalition of Arewa youths issues an ultimatum to Igbo in the northern parts of the Nigeria to leave the region by October 1, this year.
Expectedly, the ultimatum shook the country and Nigerians in Diaspora and the world at large. Several political leaders and individuals rained condemnations on the statements credited to the youths without treating the action that led the youths to issue the ultimatum. The key questions are: who are these youths and what is their aim? Did they forget that Nigeria is one country with many states? Are we going back to the regional system of government? Did they forget that every Nigeria has the right to live in any part of the country of his choice?
Now, were is the unity as it is stated in our national anthem, “one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity?”
One notes that the sit-at-home protest held on May 30, 2017, in the Southeast to mark the declaration of Biafra in 1967 and commemorate the deaths of those in the enclave during the civil war, actually triggered the ultimatum of the Arewa youths. It is saddening that the political class failed top call both the youths and the Biafra agitators for the two respective incidents, which are capable of breaking the unity of Nigeria. Clearly, the strident condemnation that trailed the ultimatum by Arewa youths is what Nigeria needs to remain united. We all must stand against acts capable of jeopardizing the peace and unity of Nigeria.
The rising tide of agitations, militancy and violence require a total reset in our relationship as a united nation. There are tensions arising from matters relating to the sharing of power, recourses and responsibilities. Virtually every section of our country feels marginalized. They believe that the other segment of society is prospering in many ways and they are not. It is commendable that the National Assembly has demanded for the 2014 national conference report so that it can deliberate on it.
► Hadiza Shuaibu wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano.