The struggle for the actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra has continued to generate reactions from members of the public.
The Biafra struggle has been championed by some groups of individuals while the government has always kicked against it insisting on the unity of Nigeria. One of the most prominent of the Pro-Biafra Groups is the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu.
Another
surprising reaction to the struggle came as Delta State Governor,
Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, Thursday said Nigeria as a country will divide the
very day the South-South region decided to join struggle for the
actualisation of Biafra Republic, Daily Post reports.
“Nigeria
will divide the very day the South-South agrees to join Biafra,”
Governor Okowa declared at the Niger Delta Peace and Security Summit
held in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area.
Governor Okowa, who was represented by his Executive Assistant/Directorate of Orientation, Barr. Eugene. A. Uzum, said some parts of Nigeria were being oppressed just as he cautioned that peace may continue to elude us as a people.
According to him, until the people in the South-South unite, they cannot move forward. He noted that the, “Federal Character system and ethnics” in the country have been grossly mismanaged by our leaders.
Governor
Okowa, who identified ethnicity as one of the biggest problems of
Nigeria said, “Unless you are from a particular tribe in this country,
you cannot secure a job.
Unless you have one big man somewhere, you cannot get a job. “Those who
control the security apparatus are Hausas. A particular tribe runs the
security apparatus.”
Governor Okowa also said “hate speeches” are also part of the problems of Nigeria. The
Governor, who lamented the alleged injustice in the country, said the
crude oil in the South-South region is being used to develop every part
of the country, stressing that, “This is denigration.”
He also pointed out that the gold in Zamfara State and other solid minerals in the Northern region were left only for a few “cabals” and some “generals” with their companies to mine until bandits started killing people.
While
noting that the mineral resources in the South-South region are very
attractive, Governor Okowa said peace has deluded the Niger Delta people
just as he blamed its leaders in the area for their woes.
Governor Okowa, who spoke on the topic, “Peace and Security in the
Niger Delta, the way forward,” said for the security operatives to have
peace in the Niger Delta, they must keep the peace, stressing that,
“Niger Delta is a wounded territory.”
Nigeria as a country has a constitution
that repudiates secession. That accounts for the main reason the
government is highly against any divisive tendency that could lead to
the breaking up of the country. Instead, the government makes good
efforts to maintain the unity of Nigeria despite the diversity of people
and interests that exist in the country.
0 Comments: