June 13, (THEWILL)- At this period in Nigeria’s history, everyone and institution wants to stand on their own, and to have absolute control of their resources. Everybody wants to opt out of a system that is on the brink of total collapse as a result of the incompetence of the government at the centre.
Agitations driven by a secessionist agenda have been on the front burner of discourse in the country for many years. In fact, this dates back to the period after Nigeria gained independence from the colonial rule. It is a historical fact that such agitation led the country to a destructive civil war, in human and material terms, which lasted between 1967 and 1970.
It is obvious that there are persons who view the idea of secession from the federation as a permanent solution to the challenges currently facing the country.
This is evident in the rising waves of protests by pressure groups across the country. Even the recent #EndSARS protest that sent waves of violence sweeping across the country looked more like a pre-planned revolution but for the timely intervention of the security agencies.
The recent public sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives committees on the review of the 1999 Constitution reveals that some of the 36 states are hardly satisfied with the positions they have found themselves. They see the federation as currently constituted as a forceful union that has not worked and cannot work except restructuring takes place.
The Efik speaking people of Cross River State, for example, are agitating for a separate state that would join them with their counterparts in Akwa Ibom State, the Oron people to form Calabar State.
Almost all the states are looking for more local government areas and local government areas are agitating for more political wards. These agitations are clearly driven by a desire for political and economic gains, which may not be of much benefit to the masses but members of the ruling class.
In the face of this development, discerning and patriotic Nigerians, who still hold the opinion that a united and indivisible Nigeria is possible, have appealed to a voice of reasoning among the people.
One of them is the Chief Executive Officer of Iniama Consult, an Estate Management and Valuers firm, James Iniama, says that what led the country to a civil war should be forgotten, even as the things that unites Nigeria as one entity must be emphasised.
Iniama is of the school of thought that believes charity must begin at home. Noting that family systems and structures should be developed to strengthen unity among siblings and by implication, the larger Nigerian society, he says, “The family is the smallest socialising unit. If we fail at this stage, then it is impossible to talk about unity I the larger society. I think we should begin to inculcate the values of unity in our families, religion, the educational system, government and non-governmental organisations. I want to stress the culture of having our families dwell together in unity because that is where it begins”.
Iniama, who is also one of the governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State, recalls that the forebears of the Akwa Ibom State, even before it was created out of Cross River State, were bound by what was called the Ibibio Union, which established the people in a manner that they lived in unity and engaged in communal services as a people.
He argues that if Nigerians collectively de-emphasise the things that keep them apart and focus on the things that hold them together as one nation, unity and peaceful coexistence will be achieved.
“Let us keep aside everything that is divisible: religious bigotry and tribalism, which have weakened the very fabric of the country. I believe that unity is an absolute necessity.”
Iniama, who sees unity in diversify as a means of promoting democracy in Nigeria, calls on the authorities to insist on the implementation of the institutional requirements that strengthen the bond of unity, such as the Federal Character Commission, which seeks to give equal rights to all the federating units.
Assessing the tenure of the Udom Emmanuel administration in Akwa Ibom, he says he decided to return to the state when he discovered that the administration had done a lot to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens of the state.
“From what I have seen, I give Governor Udom Emmanuel a lot of credit. Democracy entails giving the people good governance. I can say that Emmanuel has delivered the dividends of democracy to the people. Another administration can build on that without jeopradising the peace and security of the state.
“I want to say that we have come back to the foundation of democracy laid by people like Obong Akpan Isemin and Obong Victor Attach. We need to continue to strengthen it,” he says.
The international businessman has been in private practice for over three decades. He fits into Emmanuel’s idea of a successor, one with an internationally recognised email address. He says that, following the philosophy of the cluster industrial development initiated by the present administration in the state, there is a properly laid foundation to follow and many issues to be fixed.
He notes that human capital development, informal business sector, small and medium scale enterprises, agriculture, which entails food processing, storage and general food security are necessary issues to be fixed in the state to ensure sustainable economic growth.
Calling for more responsiveness from the government at the centre, Iniama adds,
“President Muhammadu Buhari should listen more to the yearnings of the people. There is so much of crying in the nation. Even the earth of our nation is crying today because of too much blood shade and iniquities.
“I call on the Christian community and the Muslim community that a time has come when we must deal with issues because we must have our country. We don’t have a choice. Nigeria is our only country and it cannot be divided. We must live together in peace and harmony.”
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