by Bayo Adeyinka

I am writing this post with a lot of caution and
trepidation. I have never subscribed to ethnic
chauvinism and I actually detest being labelled as
a tribal bigot. I am usually very careful because I
have friends and colleagues from every part of
the nation and some of my best friends are not
even from my side of the country.


However, recent events are making me to have a
deeper reflection and I wish we- Southerners in
this instance- can have some kind of
introspection. Out of 25 appointments made so
far, 18 are from the North, 3 are from the South
West, 4 are from the South South while the South
East has ZERO appointments. A tweet which I
saw today stated that “southerners are only
competent when it’s time for elections but
northerners are competent in terms of
governance” and this made the following thoughts
run through my mind:


1. Only Southerners have been accusing fellow
Southerners of corruption. Oshiomole has been
attacking Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as if Ngozi turned
down his marriage proposal. The same Oshiomole
tried to make nonsense of Akinwumi Adeshina’s
successes in the agriculture sector. Ambode tried
to pull Fashola down and successfully smeared
him with stains. Maybe that’s why Fashola did
not get the Chief of Staff role. I’m yet to see a
Northerner accuse another Northerner of
corruption, even when they belong to different
parties. The closest a Northerner got was when
the new Kano State Governor attacked Rabiu
Kwankaso but he quickly sheathed his sword and
even disowned previous reports of attacks. Why
are we like this?


2. Are Southerners the only ones who are
corrupt? Were there no northerner heading the
ministries and parastatals? Did the outgone
Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko
not have an alleged case of certificate forgery but
he still served out his tenure until he resigned
voluntarily? I’m not in support of corruption
under any guise but the fight against corruption
must not be seen to be sectional.


3. How come it’s easier for the President to
believe that Sanni Abacha was not corrupt in
spite of recovered loot while it is so easy for him
to believe Goodluck Jonathan is irredeemably
corrupt?


4. I still remember that aside from God, Tinubu
made Tambuwal what he is today. The same
Tambuwal would later call Femi Gbajabiamila
‘incompetent’ and rated Dogara as more
competent. The same Tambuwal was propped up
by Tinubu, a Southerner against a fellow
Southerner, Mulikat Akande. Obasanjo was very
key to denying Goodluck Jonathan a second
term. A good number can still recall how OBJ tore
his PDP membership card in public glare. The
Northerners find it easy to support themselves
but we are always pulling ourselves down.
Babangida Aliyu, Sule Lamido and all the other
Northern Governors including the former PDP
Chairman Adamu Muazu often times refused to
campaign for Goodluck Jonathan openly and
many times even espoused the virtues of the
opposing candidate on the rostrum!


5. Southern leaders and Presidents pull down
Southern business men but prop up Northern
ones. How many people still remember how
Obasanjo ran Mike Adenuga out of town but both
Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan made Aliko
Dangote what he is today. No northern leader
goes against their own. I dare to put it on record
that President Buhari will never go against Aliko
Dangote for any reason.


6. How come OBJ pardoned Salisu Buhari, the ex-
Speaker who forged his credentials and he later
was given an appointment as a Governing Council
member of a University and heavens did not fall-
but when Goodluck Jonathan pardoned
Alamieyeseigha it became one of the major issues
counted against him? Is there one rule for some
and another rule for others?


7. We find it easy to raise our voices in support of
the deportation of Buruji Kashamu but have no
qualms with Atiku Abubakar strutting around the
corridors of power.


8. Only Southerners find it so easy to abuse their
elders when they voice opinions not in tandem
with the popular opinion. We find it easy to diss
Afenifere elders and call them ‘Afenifebi’ while
hurling expletives and curses at them. We even
abuse our kings and priests. Northerners will
never abuse an Emir no matter how unpopular
what he said is. Can you imagine any Northerner
raising his voice against the Sultan? In spite of
Tanko Yakassai, Balarabe Musa and Dangiwa
Umar’s perceived support for Jonathan, northern
youths did not abuse them. But our own youths
run down our elders on social media while our
educated elite also support the act.


These are some of the thoughts that have been
running through my mind. I don’t pretend to have
all the answers and I do this at the risk of being
labelled an ethnic bigot. The point however is
that Southerners have to get their acts right. We
have to put our house in order. The bickering
must stop.

Let’s engage our emotional Intelligence. Let’s not allow others to exploit our tendency to self-destruct.

I'm awaiting our awakening from this depressing slumber! Our weak and needless crave for political correctness is only dividing us more asunder, and thereby converting us into willing preys for the more forward thinking folks up North.

I wonder why all the comments about "South" emanate mainly from Yoruba people these days.

Where were these people when we the real South shouted till eternity prior to elections, warning Yoruba about the evil and self destruction path of supporting a known Fulani fossil for a comeback to Aso rock?
At a time it felt like North + South west vs the rest of the South, and that is what it was!

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE SOUTH IN NIGERIA.

There is the North, the West, and the East.

The North teamed up with the West to capture Aso rock. No revisionism can ever change this fact!

Make I de waka go evangelize for Biafra please.

dearpreye:
I'm awaiting our awakening from this depressing slumber! Our weak and needless crave for political correctness is only dividing us more asunder, and thereby converting us into willing preys for the more forward thinking folks up North.

Don't allow this Bayo Adeyinka deceive you. How come Yorubas suddenly want southern Unity after they have successfully pulled down GEJ's Government? The only reason for this new alliance is simply because Buhari did not favor them and that's the truth. You saw them crying a few days back but as soon as Buhari threw some media appointment to them, have you seen PassingShot and his wailing crew complaining again?

Among Southerners who's pulling another down? From his write-up, it's nobody but his Yoruba kinsmen.

Oshiomhole attacked Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Oshiomhole make nonsense of Akinwumi Adeshina successes.
Ambode tried to pull Fashola down
Tinubu made Tambuwal speaker against Mulikat Akande
Obasanjo was very key to denying Goodluck Jonathan a second term
Obasanjo ran Mike Adenuga out of town
Obasanjo pardoned Salisu Buhari but gets angry when Goodluck Jonathan pardoned Alamieyeseigha
Obasanjo working hard with foreign elements to extradite Buruji Kashamu
Yorubas disrespect Afenifere elders for supporting Goodluck Jonathan

Bayo should look in the mirror and direct his message to his kinsmen, not Southerners in general.

Yorubas are the biggest problem!

For the sake of academics, the writer should be applauded for looking into the mirror. That look raises his profile in my book, as does Sen Okourounmou who reminded us that Tinubu played Afonja in this past election.

because we are more divided by ethnicity and religion which unfortunately influences our political inclination still....would u propose a solution?
moreover the people who hold our "country" and "democracy" together are from a particular section

huangcheng:


Don't allow this Bayo Adeyinka deceive you. How come Yorubas suddenly want southern Unity after they have successfully pulled down GEJ's Government? The only reason for this new alliance is simply because Buhari did not favor them and that's the truth. You saw them crying a few days back but as soon as Buhari threw some media appointment to them, have you seen PassingShot and his wailing crew complaining again?

Among Southerners who's pulling another down? From his write-up, it's nobody but his Yoruba kinsmen.

Oshiomhole attacked Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Oshiomhole make nonsense of Akinwumi Adeshina successes.
Ambode tried to pull Fashola down
Tinubu made Tambuwal speaker against Mulikat Akande
Obasanjo was very key to denying Goodluck Jonathan a second term
Obasanjo ran Mike Adenuga out of town
Obasanjo pardoned Salisu Buhari but gets angry when Goodluck Jonathan pardoned Alamieyeseigha
Obasanjo working hard with foreign elements to extradite Buruji Kashamu
Yorubas disrespect Afenifere elders for supporting Goodluck Jonathan

Bayo should look in the mirror and direct his message to his kinsmen, not Southerners in general.

well said

huangcheng:


Don't allow this Bayo Adeyinka deceive you. How come Yorubas suddenly want southern Unity after they have successfully pulled down GEJ's Government? The only reason for this new alliance is simply because Buhari did not favor them and that's the truth. You saw them crying a few days back but as soon as Buhari threw some media appointment to them, have you seen PassingShot and his wailing crew complaining again?

Among Southerners who's pulling another down? From his write-up, it's nobody but his Yoruba kinsmen.

Oshiomhole attacked Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Oshiomhole make nonsense of Akinwumi Adeshina successes.
Ambode tried to pull Fashola down
Tinubu made Tambuwal speaker against Mulikat Akande
Obasanjo was very key to denying Goodluck Jonathan a second term
Obasanjo ran Mike Adenuga out of town
Obasanjo pardoned Salisu Buhari but gets angry when Goodluck Jonathan pardoned Alamieyeseigha
Obasanjo working hard with foreign elements to extradite Buruji Kashamu
Yorubas disrespect Afenifere elders for supporting Goodluck Jonathan

Bayo should look in the mirror and direct his message to his kinsmen, not Southerners in general.

I could only SMH at the above events.

Till this very moment, Buhari the saint of Duara will still come out and defend Abacha as not koworpt even though there is more than enough evidence to show that Abacha was koworpt.

The southwest is full of fools

The problem with the south....is the damned flat.heads.... ...they thrive in fraud and claim persecution when they are caught......I call for the expulsion of these damned animals......

WombRaiders:
Till this very moment, Buhari the saint of Duara will still come out and defend Abacha as not koworpt even though there is more than enough evidence to show that Abacha was koworpt.

The southwest is full of fools

Really absurd! And then someone expects me to join them in maiming and killing GEJ all because of some unproven and untenable facts ! Not anymore!

It's one thing to be certificated. It's another to be educated. It's entirely another to be intelligent.

The vast majority of folks in the South are only certificated. Or at best, educated.

dearpreye:
I'm awaiting our awakening from this depressing slumber! Our weak and needless crave for political correctness is only dividing us more asunder, and thereby converting us into willing preys for the more forward thinking folks up North.

Welcome back. Someone mentioned you wrre banned az few days ago. I don't know how true it is.

Anyway, don't be hoodwinked by the Yorubas. This is their style. They want to be prominent on both camps. While Tinubu and co are hobnobbing with Mumu-hammadu, some other are here trying to convince us they are our fellow southerners. They believe they are sophisticated but don't be sucked in by their deceptive moves.

Let 28th March always be at the back of your mind when analysing the Yorubas.
After they undermined the southern interest by siding with the north against one of our sons, they are now making side and peripheral moves to know whether they will be accepted by their southern brothers after they had already given away the family jewelry out of wickedness and spiteful envy, with their media aiding the north in labelling GEJ a clueless, corrupt man.

Let them seek their partnership with the north

OfoIgbo:


Welcome back. Someone mentioned you wrre banned az few days ago. I don't know how true it is.

Anyway, don't be hoodwinked by the Yorubas. This is their style. They want to be prominent on both camps. While Tinubu and co are hobnobbing with Mumu-hammadu, some other are here trying to convince us they are our fellow southerners. They believe they are sophisticated but don't be sucked in by their deceptive moves.

Let 28th March always be at the back of your mind when analysing the Yorubas.
After they undermined the southern interest by siding with the north against one of our sons, they are now making side and peripheral moves to know whether they will be accepted by their southern brothers after they had already given away the family jewelry out of wickedness and spiteful envy, with their media aiding the north in labelling GEJ a clueless, corrupt man.

Let them seek their partnership with the north

Yes. I was banned for saying the truth. Under this tyranny, truth is treasonable. But I'm not deterred.

Thanks for your words bro. I'm not oblivious to the fact they played a very prominent role towards retiring power back to the North, for reasons yet not clear to me. I'll never be hoodwinked by the recent love a few of their intellectuals show for the Eastern region. Once beaten, twice shy.

I don't even like talking about them. They don't seem to be my problems. My problems lie with the folks in the Eastern region who have chosen to remain blind.

I'll never forget their treachery. Not in a hurry. But that's life. And their treachery is even perpetrated against themselves. Education is beyond academics. LOL!

coolitempa:
The problem with the south....is the damned flat.heads.... ...they thrive in fraud and claim persecution when they are caught......I call for the expulsion of these damned animals......

Is that all

fablola:
You are an unmitigated bigot. Go eat grass!

c one of them.

chuna1985:



Is that all

You still need more

Idiataqueen:
c one of them.

Which one of them are you?

Trash, plain and simple. Funny how so much trash has been emanating from the disbelief felt by disgruntled elements still shocked by the fortunate news of Jonathan losing elections. No one I know has claimed that only southerners are corrupt, all Nigerians wanted was for the government to take corruption seriously. The last president who happened to be from the south and who the people saw as a possible break from the oligarchy and hence in good stead to tackle the corruption quandry proved to be pro-corrutption even after all the trust the Nigerian people placed in him. We had an election, he was given the red card, get over it. People will support anyone who is seen as capable of dealing with corruption and support clean governance. Buhari happens to inspire that confidence. It just so happens he if from the north as well. That is all there is to it. Grow up and stop sounding like one who has never strayed too far from his village, the world is a big place and not everybody is as obsessed with what village you are from. Get over it.

coolitempa:

You still need more

yep

chuna1985:


yep

Inferiority and hate runs deep in their DNA.........

coolitempa:

Inferiority and hate runs deep in their DNA.........

No igbo man feels inferior to any Yoruba individual.

chuna1985:



No igbo man feels inferior to any Yoruba individual.

Be lying to yourself.........

This is going to be interesting...
The OP should have known better

coolitempa:


Be lying to yourself.........

only s waste people actually take active part in self deception across nigeria.

coolitempa:

Be lying to yourself.........

How can I feel inferior to a man that pays me house rent every month

huangcheng:


Don't allow this Bayo Adeyinka deceive you. How come Yorubas suddenly want southern Unity after they have successfully pulled down GEJ's Government? The only reason for this new alliance is simply because Buhari did not favor them and that's the truth. You saw them crying a few days back but as soon as Buhari threw some media appointment to them, have you seen PassingShot and his wailing crew complaining again?

Among Southerners who's pulling another down? From his write-up, it's nobody but his Yoruba kinsmen.

Oshiomhole attacked Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Oshiomhole make nonsense of Akinwumi Adeshina successes.
Ambode tried to pull Fashola down
Tinubu made Tambuwal speaker against Mulikat Akande
Obasanjo was very key to denying Goodluck Jonathan a second term
Obasanjo ran Mike Adenuga out of town
Obasanjo pardoned Salisu Buhari but gets angry when Goodluck Jonathan pardoned Alamieyeseigha
Obasanjo working hard with foreign elements to extradite Buruji Kashamu
Yorubas disrespect Afenifere elders for supporting Goodluck Jonathan

Bayo should look in the mirror and direct his message to his kinsmen, not Southerners in general.

Very correct bro.
The North is operating on a one party system
While the south keep on fighting each other to help the North

sdindan:

Very correct bro.
The North is operating on a one party system
While the south keep on fighting each other to help the North

Stop lumping Southerners together. YORUBAS are the ones fighting other Southerners out of sheer hate and envy for other people's success. Yorubas are the problem not Southerners, Yorubas are genetically treacherous and filled with hate and envy.

Say the truth without fear my friend. Yorubas not Southerners.

huangcheng:


Stop lumping Southerners together. YORUBAS are the ones fighting other Southerners out of sheer hate and envy for other people's success. Yorubas are the problem not Southerners, Yorubas are genetically treacherous and filled with hate and envy.

Say the truth without fear my friend. Yorubas not Southerners.

I have agreed with you

Education was suppose to help the south look at the bigger picture but alas....they subject themselves to the uneducated North.