Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has intensified his call for the division of Nigeria. This time, however, he is calling for the country to be broken up into several states along ethnic lines like the former Yugoslavia, a shift from his earlier suggestion that the country should be split along religious lines.

The Libyan leader’s latest comments are likely to worsen a diplomatic row with Nigeria, as his proposal earlier this month that country be split into two countries formed from the Muslim north and mainly Christian south led to the recall of the Ambassador to Libya by the Federal Government.

His comment followed violent clashes between Muslim s and Christians that killed hundreds of people around Jos, Plateau State and prompted the federal government to question whether Libya might be sponsoring the violence.

Federal Government said Gaddafi‘s comments were insensitive and irresponsible and ”diminished his status and credibility” while the Senate President referred to him as a ‘mad man’.

Responding to the Nigerian government, Gaddafi repeated the idea of dismantling the country, but this time suggested not two but several independent states for its multiple ethnic groups.

”The partition into Christian and Muslim states will not resolve Nigeria‘s problems because there are other peoples claiming independence despite the religion issue,” Gaddafi said, according to Reuters quoting official news agency, JANA.

He compared Nigeria to the former Yugoslavia, which collapsed after the end of the Soviet Union and split into several independent states, sparking conflicts in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and then Kosovo.

Nigeria , resembles the Yugoslav union which included several peoples, like Nigeria, and then these people gained independence and the Yugoslav union was ended in peace,” said Gaddafi. ”The model that fits Nigeria is the Yugoslav one.”

Gaddafi was chairman of the African Union until recently and has adopted the title ”King of African Kings”, but the veteran Libyan leader has a mixed reputation on the continent.

Punch News

The mad man at it again!

let the fcking guy face his fcking business, we don't need him telling us shít on how to rule our country!

If we want to split up, we will do so under our own terms, not because some "mad man" said so!

I feel like putting my fist to the dude's face already

When the "mad man" said we should split along religious lines, we complained and said we have over 250 ethnic entities in Nigeria. Now the "mad man" has reviewed his position and said "split along ethnic lines" and we are still complaining. What do we want? Do we even agree that there must be a split somewhere?

Boboribo, splitting would not make our problems go away. The issue with Timpriye Silva is a classic case of how our problems are not ethnic or religious.

I guess he is bored!!

There is something you can never take away from "Mad man & village drunkards"-- They are full of wisdom. Their wisdom makes them to always hit the nail on the head-no matter whose ox is gored

May God Bless Ghaddafi

@Pretty G

That is exactly the same thing they told the states in the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavi, Etc.

We now new better

chosen04:

There is something you can never take away from "Mad man & village drunkards"-- They are full of wisdom. Their wisdom makes them to always hit the nail on the head-no matter whose ox is gored

May God Bless Ghaddafi

Seriously? . . .

chosen04:

@Pretty G

That is exactly the same thing they told the states in the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavi, Etc.

We now new better

Give us the examples of when they told those things to the people of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia or for ever be known as a liar.

According to the U.S. Department of State’s annual human rights report for 2007, Libya’s authoritarian regime continued to have a poor record in the area of human rights.

Some of the numerous and serious abuses on the part of the government include poor prison conditions, arbitrary arrest and prisoners held incommunicado, and political prisoners held for many years without charge or trial.

The judiciary is controlled by the government, and there is no right to a fair public trial. Libyans do not have the right to change their government. Freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, and religion are restricted. Independent human rights organizations are prohibited. Ethnic and tribal minorities suffer discrimination, and the state continues to restrict the labor rights of foreign jobs.

In 2005 Freedom House rated political rights in Libya as "7" (1 representing the most free and 7 the least free rating), civil liberties as "7" and gave it the freedom rating of "Not Free".

And the leader of such a country thinks he is in a good position to offer good advise to Nigeria?. . . i'd say calling him a "mad man" is an insult to people who with "mental" problems.

@ Chosen04 thanks 4 dis wonderful insight into the rare character of mad men as they call him. it has been always d same reaction, anytime d truth is said evil men always cry fowl. The devil is an example whom they all serve. Evil men that want to hold us bound 4ever. God 4bid.

prettyG:

Boboribo, splitting would not make our problems go away. The issue with Timpriye Silva is a classic case of how our problems are not ethnic or religious.

Really? The above is as simplistic as simplistic can get. Are you being mischievous or just naive?

Sylva's case is easy to analyse. The only place the cabal can get huge sums to line their pockets or fight the Nigerian population to a standstill, is the Niger Delta. In the past, we had Ibori, who Aondoakaa travelled the World to defend; today, it is Sylva.
The long and short of the matter, is that the cabal sourced 100 billion stolen oil money to fight Jonathan, Sylva is just the fool flattered by the power the cabal can give him.
The 100 billion fraud fight is another face of Jonathan vs cabal.

Everybody, please mind your own areas and stop bringing up false justifications. Should we split along ethnic lines? YES, if we can't have a national conference, or true federalism at the very least. Nigeria isn't working, so lets quit mouthing inane sentiments.

chosen04:

There is something you can never take away from "Mad man & village drunkards"-- They are full of wisdom. Their wisdom makes them to always hit the nail on the head-no matter whose ox is gored

Actually wisdom is one trait that has never been associated with the Libyan strongman. In this case he is speaking true to form. The  man is mentally deranged.

This should give the Nigeria Government something to worry about! The international community is against Nigeria. . .

federalism duhhh

If Nigeria was to be split across ethnic lines there will be war forever 250 ethnic groups cmon lol doesnt even make sense.

unless youre talking of majority tribes- which still doesnt make sense
Even the people who are talking about splitting Nigeria into three like colonial times arent being realistic

Thats like saying urhobo,edos,ijaw will be in a yoruba country willingly- and they wont
Like efik,ijaw,ibibio, will want to be apart of biafra willingly - they wont

Even with the split up of Yugoslavia, the region has still seen a lot of problems, but not as bad as the initial split up. I fear that if Nigeria is split up along ethnic lines, meaning the major groups Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Igbo, there would be a lot of blood shed in the initial phase.

The verdict is still out. Sometimes you have to look at a cost-benefit analysis. What about the people who have businesses all around the country?

However, Gadaffi does have the right to speak his mind about a particular situation. He is not the first person to mention this, so I do not understand why some people would get up in a tizzy about this. Nigerians need to get their heads from out underneath the sand, and wake up and smell the coffee (or tea).

Beaf:

Really? The above is as simplistic as simplistic can get. Are you being mischievous or just naive?

Sylva's case is easy to analyse. The only place the cabal can get huge sums to line their pockets or fight the Nigerian population to a standstill, is the Niger Delta. In the past, we had Ibori, who Aondoakaa travelled the World to defend; today, it is Sylva.
The long and short of the matter, is that the cabal sourced 100 billion stolen oil money to fight Jonathan, Sylva is just the fool flattered by the power the cabal can give him.
The 100 billion fraud fight is another face of Jonathan vs cabal.

Everybody, please mind your own areas and stop bringing up false justifications. Should we split along ethnic lines? YES, if we can't have a national conference, or true federalism at the very least. Nigeria isn't working, so lets quit mouthing inane sentiments.

You are very silly. Nigeria (according to the CIA fact book) has 389 ethnic groups. Tell me, just HOW do you want to split then? 389 countries? If you really believe that will work I have a bridge to sell you.

prettyG:

You are very silly. Nigeria (according to the CIA fact book) has 389 ethnic groups. Tell me, just HOW do you want to split then? 389 countries? If you really believe that will work I have a bridge to sell you.

Some people would say split up along regional lines. Many groups that inhabit particular regions are closely related. Just look at the relation of the Ibibio with the Igbo and the Idoma and the Igbo. Different groups, but similar cultures.

UcheUwadi_:

Some people would say split up along regional lines. Many groups that inhabit particular regions are closely related. Just look at the relation of the Ibibio with the Igbo and the Idoma and the Igbo. Different groups, but similar cultures.

and you think that the Ibibio want to be associated with ndi Igbo? Get your head out of your arse boy, they hate us. The Idoma even worse. On these very pages we have Ikwerre people cursing out anything Igbo. If we go to Benue state alone, the Idoma and the Tiv can't stand each other. In Edo, the Bini and Ishan hate each other's guts. In Plateau the Langtang, Birom, Jasarawa, Naraguta just to name a few would rather spend their time tearing each other out. In Delta, Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo hate themselve. Where do you want to start?

i love ghadaffi

UcheUwadi_:

Even with the split up of Yugoslavia, the region has still seen a lot of problems, but not as bad as the initial split up. I fear that if Nigeria is split up along ethnic lines, meaning the major groups Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Igbo, there would be a lot of blood shed in the initial phase.

The verdict is still out. Sometimes you have to look at a cost-benefit analysis. What about the people who have businesses all around the country?

You should stop making senseless comparisons. Nigeria since its creation in 1914 has been fully integrated at the political and socio-economic level.
What is the point of comparing Nigeria to a polity like USSR or Yugoslavia  whose only unifying factor was the defunct communist system?

if u like call him KOLO MENTALITY he has fearlessly and courageously told the truth to this perverse nation call NigerArea whose worst problem is telling or accepting d truth. soon Tchad and Gabon wil join the Mad man to echo d Mad Truth we need most b4 we suffer d same fate wit Sudan. buy enough handkerchief to wipe ur tears if this Simple truth makes u cry. soon the whole world will join this Precious Mad man to tel this Pharoahs dat has been killing my brothers and sisters to let us Go.

The modern African nation state INCLUDING LIBYA is an amalgam of different ethnic groups and this is by no means exclusive to Nigeria. Must all African nations north and south of the sahara split up because they are all heterigenous? Again, Gadahfi shows he's not mastered the issue at hand.

prettyG:

You are very silly. Nigeria (according to the CIA fact book) has 389 ethnic groups. Tell me, just HOW do you want to split then? 389 countries? If you really believe that will work I have a bridge to sell you.

[size=14pt]So what? The population of Luxemburg is half a million, but Nigeria is much poorer.[/size]
More than that, Luxemburg is the richest country by GDP per capita, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg
. . .Like I said you mouth inanities.

prettyG:

and you think that the Ibibio want to be associated with ndi Igbo? Get your head out of your arse boy, they hate us. The Idoma even worse. On these very pages we have Ikwerre people cursing out anything Igbo. If we go to Benue state alone, the Idoma and the Tiv can't stand each other. In Edo, the Bini and Ishan hate each other's guts. In Plateau the Langtang, Birom, Jasarawa, Naraguta just to name a few would rather spend their time tearing each other out. In Delta, Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo hate themselve. Where do you want to start?

So how come we speak with one voice as Niger Delta? Mind your own side of the country and stop trying to discuss other people problems which you are clearly ignorant of. Mind your own village abeg!

Beaf:

[size=14pt]So what? The population of Luxemburg is half a million, but Nigeria is much poorer.[/size]
More than that, Luxemburg is the richest country by GDP per capita, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg
. . .Like I said you mouth inanities.

Again your stupidity knows no boundaries. Luxembourg is not an ethnically homogeneous nation. And GDP per capita means income divided by number of individuals. That country has a population of half a million people and an income of $40billion. Even Nigeria makes more money than Luxembourg.

Beaf:

So how come we speak with one voice as Niger Delta? Mind your own side of the country and stop trying to discuss other people problems which you are clearly ignorant of. Mind your own village abeg!

Speak with one voice? Your head is stuck so far up your own arse that it has began to smell like roses to you. I lived in Warri when they were fighting. Is it not in the same Niger Delta that the people of Evreni killed their traditional ruler over a squabble? Don't make me laugh.

prettyG:

Again your stupidity knows no boundaries. Luxembourg is not an ethnically homogeneous nation. And GDP per capita means income divided by number of individuals. That country has a population of half a million people and an income of $40billion. Even Nigeria makes more money than Luxembourg.

Therein lies the true madness of Kaddafi's ideas. Africa no longer consists of ethnically homogenous regions.

tensor777:

Therin lies the true madness of Kaddafi's ideas Africa no longer consists of ethnically homogenous regions.

as a matter of fact the WORST country on god's green earth, Somalia, IS to all intents and purposes ethnically and religiously homogeneous. So the madman's theory goes out of the window. His own Libya has four ethnic groups. That will be easier to split than Nigeria's 389. Let us split Libya.

prettyG:

Again your stupidity knows no boundaries. Luxembourg is not an ethnically homogeneous nation. And GDP per capita means income divided by number of individuals. That country has a population of half a million people and an income of $40billion. Even Nigeria makes more money than Luxembourg.

You are funny.
If we look at it very simplistically, a GDP of $40 billion makes even a new born baby in Luxemburg worth $80,000.

Nigeria makes more money than Luxemburg, but while your average Nigerian is wretchedly poor, the average person in Luxemburg has twice as much money as the average American.

. . .Now do you want to talk about stupidity?

prettyG:

Speak with one voice? Your head is stuck so far up your own arse that it has began to smell like roses to you. I lived in Warri when they were fighting. Is it not in the same Niger Delta that the people of Evreni killed their traditional ruler over a squabble? Don't make me laugh.

Who is "they"? Did that fight that "they" where engaged in scuttle true federalism?
So what if an Evreni traditional ruler lost his life? Is that the reason why Nigeria shouldn't either practice true federalism or split.

Go and take panadol, you're mentally tired.

Beaf:

You are funny.
If we look at it very simplistically, a GDP of $40 billion makes even a new born baby in Luxemburg worth $80,000.

Nigeria makes more money than Luxemburg, but while your average Nigerian is wretchedly poor, the average person in Luxemburg has twice as much money as the average American.

. . .Now do you want to talk about stupidity?

Since in your warped sense of reasoning every human being must have $80k, why does every American, unarguably the richest country on earth not have that amount?

You are hopelessly out of your depth so go and play in the tribalism section where you belong.

FYI, while Luxembourg is number 97 in terms of GNP, Nigeria is number 33. It is never an even spread once you divide by large populations, hence India has a GDP that places her at 128 (Nigeria is 130). You can thank me for the lesson later.