It is no longer news that Igbo's are desperately seeking to breakaway from Nigeria and form their own republic of Biafra. Also, it is obvious that majority of Nigerians have become fed up with the country and the way its being run but what has confounded many pundits and also angered most Igbo separatists is why they have all remained docile instead of joining them in the struggle. I decided to do some research and brainstorming on the reason(s) why others choose to be with a "decaying Nigeria" than go their separate ways. Below, is the "secret" reasons why Nigeria has remained one despite the confusions, mass killings, bad infrastructure, injustice, corruption, stagnation and hopelessness. The breakdown is on regional basis.

(1) NORTH CENTRAL (Middle belt) ; This region is one of the most heterogeneous parts of Africa. Wit h so many ethnic groups and diverse religious people. The people of the Middle belt have suffered greatly under one Nigeria. They have seen their culture and tradition eroded by the dominant Hausa neighbors, many of their languages are fast going into extinction or have done so already. They are treated as equals whenever election is around the corner but once victory is achieved, they are dumped to obscurity and persecution. Lately, they've have seen ethnic cleansing that can only be compared to the Darfur genocide by the government of Sudan sponsored Jan.ja.weed militia. One would think that they would naturally clamour for break up in the face of all these persecutions.
Verdict; The people of middle belt found themselves between the devil and the deep blue sea. A broken Nigeria with Hausa/Fulani joined with them is nothing but suicide. They will face total annihilation! Gideon Orkar knew this, which prompted him to attempt excising the NW and sahel areas from Nigeria during his ill fated coup. On the other hand, a country of their own may also be an invitation to anarchy & chaos due to their differences and may not still put an end to Fulani massacres.

SOUTH WEST; The Yoruba's have not suffered as much as the M.B or their fellow southerners. Aside the humiliation done to their leaders like Abiola, Awolowo, Diya, Kudirat etc, they've gained tremendously from one Nigeria. Lagos has become one of the most important cities in Africa and has continued to grow into the neighbouring states largely on the strength of 180 million people and resources from the N.delta.
Verdict; Yorubas know that a balkanized Nigeria will mean the possible collapse or at best a shrinking of Lagos when Igbo's and others leaves en mass, oil companies, banks and crude proceeds terminates, ceases to operate or relocates. They may likely not get Illorin back and their economy may retrogress, so they've preferred to manage a failed country than an uncertain future. They would rather seek for regional autonomy or a republic of Southern Nigeria than total break up of Nigeria.

SOUTH SOUTH (Niger delta) Just like the middle belt, Niger delta is another heterogeneous part of Nigeria. The Niger delta has suffered terrible pollutions, injustice, deprivation, They have the largest deposit of crude oil per capita in Africa and would also have one of the highest GDP per capita should they have their own country but the problem of having diverse ethnic groups with conflicting interests may turn the country into a war zone with warlords carving out territories for themselves.
Verdict; The Itshekiri's will not want to be in a "Niger delta rep" with Ijaws after what they have suffered in their hands in Warri. Same applies with the Ikwerre while the Akwa/Cross region will rather go with Igbo's than share country with Ijaws. P.Harcourt and Warri will be flash points. They will rather seek for resource control or republic of Southern Nigeria than piecemeal break up.

Anyone hoping for resource control had better forget it. We have been talking about resource control since Aburi 50 years ago.