Hundreds of innocent people were killed. Is the recent attack in Kano an orchestrated to decimate or intimidate Igbo out of the North? What happens if those aggrieved decide to retaliate and this causes another social upheaval that could set the country on the edge?
Why the suicide bombers and their sponsors chose this critical time in our national history to carry out the attack still baffles me. Past attacks had been targeted at places of worship in the North, with no particular ethnic group as target. The Kano one was specifically and deliberately targeted at Igbo. What they want to achieve by this senseless attack is yet to be ascertained.
I have written more than two-dozen articles on the need to foster unity, tolerance and love among the various ethnic and religious groups in our dear country. In each of the articles, I drew attention to the ills that work against the advancement of our nation, especially ethnicity and religious bigotry. Recent events across the country show that these calls are not usually heeded by those at whom the messages are directed. How can anyone explain the increased rate of violent crimes that have nearly made life unlivable in our nation? There is no part that is spared: from east to west, north to south, it is the same story of indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens. All the efforts by the security agencies so far to curtail the menace seem not to be working.
For all I know, the latest attack was an unnecessary distraction. It does not have the capacity of achieving anything for the attackers and those sponsoring them. Let the perpetrators of these attacks take a look at what is happening in other nations in turmoil to be able to appreciate the perilous direction they are taking our nation to. Yes, it is important they look at the anarchical situation in Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central African Republic (CAR) and other parts of the world to understand the danger inherent in fanning the embers of hate, tribalism and religious fanaticism. Do they want our nation to become one of these ill-fated countries?
I must confess that my heart has been in deep pain since the bus-station bombing in Kano last week took place. I learnt that the five buses bombed were heading for Lagos and Aba – usually with mainly Igbo businessmen and women. Boko Haram was blamed for the multiple blasts. Why should Boko Haram attack Igbo? Is there anything Igbo and Boko Haram adherents are fighting over? Why should Boko Haram unleash such mayhem on innocent Igbo businessmen and women who did not pose any obstacle to their perceived interest(s)? Are they aware that their unprovoked attacks have cost Igbo numerous lives and billions of naira in materials? Do they know how many families they have rendered hopeless with the recent murder of their breadwinners?
We need answers to these questions urgently otherwise there is fear that this particular incident can trigger off more serious troubles in our nation if not carefully handled. There is no way we will fold our arms and watch our people killed so wantonly again. We have the right under the law of man and natural justice to do everything within the ambit of the law to defend ourselves from the knives and bombs of any conscienceless group wreaking havoc on our nation in the name of agitation for self-governance.
The 1967-1970 Civil War was caused by the senseless and unwarranted killing of Igbo in the North. Though I am a proponent of mutual, peaceful coexistence, however, that is up to the limit commonsense can permit. Is it fair for our people to continue to support the unity of a nation in which their lives are not safe? This is not the first time this kind of callous act is happening. During my tenure as governor, I personally led a delegation to the North in 2000 to appeal to their leaders to call their youth to order; to stop killing our people without provocation. This was after the unprovoked killing of Igbo in several parts of the North for religious reasons. As a direct response to my peace shuttles, there was a brief period of respite for Igbo in that part of the country.
Now, the monster has woken up from its slumber, and it seems our leaders have gone to sleep. Nobody is talking or doing something concrete to stop the carnage. The only strong voices from Igboland doing something to condemn the recent killing were MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, and Senator Uche Chukwumerije who moved a motion in the Senate last week. I also credit President Goodluck Jonathan and the Senate leadership with statements condemning the attacks. It is a pity that other key Igbo political leaders have chosen to keep quiet, while their house burns. What they have probably forgotten is that they are, by their studied silence, only postponing the doomsday – of which they may be its biggest beneficiaries. Whoever sees evil and fails to condemn it will face the aftermath.
It is not arguable that those who kill by the sword die by the sword someday. Today, others are being killed and you do nothing to help. Tomorrow it could be your turn. That is nemesis. After all, what goes round comes around.
Insecurity has assumed a new dimension as we approach 2015, and security agencies seem helpless. Must we kill in order to win election or register our discontentment? Politics should be just a game of wits and not bombs. Those who resort to violence to register their resentment are nothing but barbarians. The leadership of this great nation is open to anybody who is a bona-fide citizen of this country, who has met all the statutory requirements to seek election. It is not the birthright of anybody. This is why I have always advocated openness and brotherliness in political contests. Check the history of this country and it will be easily seen that it is not the mightiest or strongest that always wins political contests. Some people may resort to violence, but it often does not work. I believe that divine providence plays a greater part in the emergence of leaders.
Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, ordinarily, would not have become presidents if not for divine intervention. The journey of both to the presidency started from their days in their respective state’s Government Houses. From there they were discovered by President Olusegun Obasanjo and presented to the Nigerian people who endorsed them. Whatever reason that prompted Obasanjo to support their candidacy for the presidency cannot vitiate the truth that they were destined to become presidents.
In Abia State, for instance, there was no way Chief Theodore Orji would have become governor if God did not approve of it. How he became my Chief of Staff for 8 years and survived all the intrigues that played out before, during and after his nomination to fly the flag of PPA, were well known to the public. I knew what we went through to deliver him, even though he was in prison for no just reason. The enemies of our people deliberately seized him with the sole aim of stopping him from becoming governor. We staked everything to bring the dream to reality. The rest is history.
Why I have made this allusion is to let the enemies of progress know that God is the ultimate giver and defender of powers and the institutions that wield them, because all powers belong to him. We should not kill one another to show we are aggrieved. We have sufficient statutes and other statutory means to protect our individual and collective rights and deal with any issue we have grouse about. Taking the laws into our hands only worsens the situation and paints us before the world as hooligans, barbarians and, even, cannibals.
I was told by a friend who lives in Germany of what their embassy posted on their website about Nigeria. According to him, they warned their citizens not to visit Nigeria, because of heightening insecurity. When I asked him what they meant by insecurity, he said that they stated it pointblank that innocent people were being kidnapped and killed indiscriminately with many women abducted, raped and killed. Who would not be scandalized or frightened by these atrocities? Even though there is a semblance of truth in their claim, the picture is not as widespread and bleak as painted.
I wonder how other nations view Nigeria and its people: maybe as ancient cannibals! What a shame! While the nationals of other nations perform unusual feats in science and technology our people perfect the twin-act of cold-blooded murder and air-raising kidnapping. It is these bizarre acts, such as the ones mentioned above, that make other countries maltreat Nigerians when they travel abroad. When this happens, we cry to high heavens for justice.
Nations, such as the United States, Britain, France, Germany and other developed countries, achieved greatness by promoting law and order and economic development; protecting the individual’s rights and privileges; and fostering security of life and property. What then obtains in our country? Exactly the opposite! How then can we attain greatness under this circumstance?
I am worried that almost 53 years after independence our country is still primitive and retrogressive. We should have gone beyond where we are today if we had eschewed bitterness, acrimony, ethnic hegemony, divisiveness, and rancour. Agreed we are a nation of multicultural and multiethnic background, but should we allow this to divide us forever.
Let me ask: “If Boko Haram and other agitated groups succeeded in killing everybody who would they govern in the end?” Those who work against Nigeria are definitely not aware of the magnitude of the harm they do to her. The earlier they understand the truth, the better for them.
I urge the Federal Government to do everything within its powers to resolve the Boko Haram imbroglio and restore law and order. There is no amount of money invested in development that will bring any dividend without first achieving peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups in the country.
I wish to state at this juncture that the Jonathan administration is positive about developing Nigeria. But it cannot actualise its vision without fighting corruption, insecurity and unemployment. These three cankers are responsible for all the crises we have witnessed in this country in recent times. We have the potentialities to become a global superpower, nevertheless we need to put our house in order and embrace peace and unity.
The emergence of ethnic militias in Nigeria started the moment we lost sight of the purpose of our sovereignty, which is rooted in peace, unity and progress. The greed of the political class, coupled with grinding poverty, has rendered this sovereignty sterile, thereby exposing the nation to irresolvable crises. There was nothing like terrorism some 14 years ago until civilians assumed the reins of power. With it, came inordinate desire to control power. Those not comfortable with the redistribution of power feeling threatened resorted to arm-twisting to protect their interests. This is the genesis of the unfortunate situation we have found ourselves in today.
What the government should do is to rework our social system to foster justice, equity and fairness. That is the major focus of any democratic engagement. When this is achieved, then the system will naturally adjust to the new realities. It is not something one can achieve mechanically. It requires tact and diplomacy.
I have volunteered to work, in conjunction with the federal government, to find lasting solution to the Boko Haram impasse. The earlier this is achieved the better for Nigeria, because the hand of the clock is ticking very fast.
To the families of those who lost their lives and property in the Kano bombing, I offer my sympathy and pray God to grant them consolation.
Good night, Achebe – The literary Iroko!
Apart from the death of Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, no other death in recent times has attracted as much attention as the passing away of Prof. Chinua Achebe. Since the news of his demise broke out last week the centre could no longer hold – things have fallen apart. Men, women, youth, people of all tribes, religions, nationalities, social statuses and beliefs have cried and refused to be consoled. They have done this through diverse fora – social and traditional media, open discussions, visits and the like. In all of this, they have shown deep affection, adulation and respect for the literary giant whose works have transformed lives immeasurably.
His book – Things Fall Apart – ranks among the award-winning literary works he penned. He was first among equals, and an embodiment of honour, integrity and principle. He dished out these exceptional qualities in quantum during his 82 eventful years on this earth planet.
There is nothing I write here that has not been written by other people since the sad incident occurred. But let it be told that even though Achebe was not awarded the elusive Noble Prize in Literature while alive, he died leaving behind an image that will tower over us for generations to come, because his arrow of wisdom and candour blazon on the global literary firmament for eternity.
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