₦airaland Forum

docheja:
@ alloy-emeka

[table]Yet the igbo hatred continues. It's pathetic; what is behind the massacre of over 30,000 igbos in the North before the Biafra war?. Is it also Igbo greed?. Your inability to read should be blamed here because your response shows you didn't understand the article.[/table]

Lets stop being too emotinal here and analyse based on facts and objectivity. We had and still have those who lived through those gory days. The igbos gathered so much momentum and became ever selfish and greedy. They were tops in the army and other endeavours, found in every nook and corners of the country.

When Nzeogwu and co struck, they called it a revolution, but the killings were more or less ethnical/regionally bias. Now what happened after wards, he became the igbo hero.[size=16pt] Bla bla blah![/size]

Yes it was Igbo coup. Igbo wanted to take over the whole world. End of story.
Just don't call us when planning your next pro-democracy demonstrations. I would advise any Igbo to stay away from them because it is a stoopid idea. Our fathers who fought the war are fast dying off and we younger Igbos are more interested in stealing our own share of the national cake.
We are perfectly happy with the status quo. I am faithful to steal my own share too. So, please move on!

I can now understand people like Arthur Nzeribe and Uche Chukwumerije. No wonder why they think that any political alliance with the Yoruba is id'io'tic. The current Igbo politicians don't want to hear anything about good government or constitutional reform or any progressive agenda or even any southern political alliance. They think the idea is stu'pi'd. What is the point, when 90% of the so called progressives are people of dubious history and proclivities.
I'm happy my people are learning fast!

akigbemaru:
It’s even an absurd to compare Yoruba with Ibo, the gulp of differences between both is huge. Everything we do in West, that is what ibos want to do too.
Let me advise all ibos, you want to break, learn to stay in iboland, create more businesses over there and let other tribes to come patronize you in your Eastern region.
Just like we Yoruba, more than 90 percent of us stay in South West. The only reason many of us in Abuja is because most of our culture from Lagos were exported over there.
Blaming Hausa for genocide against your people, but still move in multitude down to Hausa land; I just don’t get it.
I pray God will let your Biafran mission possible, if you cut 27,000 square km, from 921,000 square km. That is just a tip of an iceberg.
One of you suggests that he would like to have a nation with Efik or Ibibio, you mean people from Calabar? Maybe you were on drugs for this one, these people have more land than Biafran land and they don’t want any incursion or infringement on their privacy.

Rabid id'oc'y. How dare you define my boundary? I know you are preparing to hide behind Hausa and gwodo gwodo soldiers again to invade and occupy parts of Igboland. That is when you would realize that Igbos in Lagos will fight you till the last man and Hausa won't help you because they will still have access to oil in the south south areas and the sea. But we Igbos will fight you Yoruba this time for our properties in Lagos. Just get ready because this is not Oyo empire time. Mudder'fu'fker!

@ akigbemaru

I had ignored you earlier for exhibition of pure idi'ocy in your rants, but continuing to do so would amount to accepting your st'upid'ity as fact.
If you follow my positions here (if you are not too dumb), you would find out that I am not interested in size as a measure of a country's chance for success. I have carefully avoided falling into traps set by your people the Yoruba for the rest of Nigeria to fall into, whereby you cleverly engineered enmity between Igbo and Hausa (by taking a fiery position against Igbo in Biafra), and between Igbo and their brothers in the old east. You and your people are continuing to do so in your devious and unrepentant rants. History has already vindicated the Igbo many times over since the end of the war.

Let me say this (and I know you may realize this point), the rest of Nigeria is gradually identifying the Yoruba as the real enemy in Nigeria. It won't take long before this fact permeates. Ndigbo fought a war of self defense between 1967 and 1970. Your leader and your parents used the opportunity to scheme for Igbo annihilation but failed. Today your people keep making noise about democracy and constitutional reform and disturbing the peace of the rest of us, when you have no sincerity of purpose in your hearts.

When the resource control issue came up during the selfish Obasanjo constitutional conference, every region in the south agreed to support the south south position on resource control. Your people got to the conference and made a volte face and sabotaged it again. This was in 2006!(not 1967). And no one was threatening to secede then, yet you still betrayed the south south. Suddenly you dare stay in your miserable part of Yorubaland to define my boundary?   How st''u''pi'd can you get!
I cannot decide for non igbo parts of south south whom their real enemy is. Someone razed Odi for oil. Another fought with them for a common purpose. Someone is still stealing their oil resources while some of them are busy listening to enemies who wish their extinction for oil to flow. If given the opportunity, these same enemies would wipe out the oil producing regions.

All these tell me that the enmity between Igbo and Yoruba is much more entrenched than I thought. Non-Igbo parts of south south can make up their own minds. I guarantee that it won't be long before the Yoruba wake up to find out that they fell right into the very same pit they dug for others.  No be Najia we dey?

And the quote from the great betraying sage shows up again:

"If it is claimed that an attack on the East is going to be launched by the Federal Government and not by the North as such and that it is designed to ensure the unity and integrity of the Federation, two other insuperable points also become obvious. First, if a war against the East becomes a necessity it must be agreed to unanimously by the remaining units of the Federation. [q]In this connection, the West, Mid- West and Lagos have declared their implacable opposition to the use of force in solving the present problem.[/q] In the face of such declarations by three out of remaining four territories of Nigeria, a war against the East could only be a war favoured by the North alone. Second, if the true purpose of such a war is to preserve the unity and integrity of the Federation, then these ends can be achieved by the very simple devices of implementing the recommendation of the committee which met on August 9 1966, as reaffirmed by a decision of the military leaders at Aburi on January 5 1967 as well as by accepting such of the demands of the East, West, Mid-West and Lagos as are manifestly reasonable, and essential for assuring harmonious relationships and peaceful co-existence between them and their brothers and sisters in the North."

Obafemi Awolowo

RichyBlacK:
Well, that's not going to happen, as long as Igbos are still walking on this planet.

The injustice meted on the Igbos was shameful and wicked, and while the schools refuse to teach about the Biafran War, many writers and scholars continue to write, give speeches and make movies on the subject of Biafra. Hence, ensuring that readers/observers in the next century will still be discussing Biafra.

Furthermore, that almost all the problems plaguing Nigeria today can be traced/linked to events that led/sustained the war, is a pointer to the importance of Biafra.

Biafra occupies an important and conspicuous niche in the Nigerian geo-historical and socio-economc landscapes.

Thanks Richy
Like Achebe said, Nigeria is neither my father nor my mother. It has also refused to be my child because it insists on been born illegitimately and I wouldn't indulge in illegitimate acts!
There are those who would wish the Biafran history away and yet expect a magical transformation in Nigeria. Some stupidly call for revolutions and insist it must not be by way of coups!
Planning greatness in  Nigeria without addressing Biafra is like planning a trip to China or US without airplanes and ships. If you ever get there, you may not live to tell the story!
I'm off to church. I'll be back! 

paddy_lo:
8.Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.
Oscar Wilde . . .

Those fervently opposed to the break up of Nigeria into manageable and credible nations. Those forcing Nigeria on me.

11.The one charm about marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties.
Oscar Wilde. . .

For the various constituents of the forced marriage called nigeria.
Classic.

adigun101:
I now understand why Nigeria is in such a peculiar situation.
The Biafran war looks like an open wound/cancer/curse on this country.

No discussion can be completed without Yorubas, dogged by guilt and having lost their credibility at a certain time in Nigerias history turning it into an anti-igbo tirade.
The Igbos on the other hand have had an inferiority complex since the end of the war (having been deceived by Ojukwu) , hence they get easily irritated.
The middle belt see themselves as fools who have been used by the hausa/fulanis against their fellow Christian folk they have been paying the price ever since.
The Niger-Delta who abandoned their fellow eastern Nigeria folk when things got worse have all but lost their identity hence they need people from the  not to tell them about their origins(see Niger-Delta or South-south) no clear definition.
The winners end up being the highly inept uneducated hausa/fulanis who cannot believe their luck!

I think what we need in Nigeria is full reconciliation were everyone admits to their mistakes and this ghost of Biafra is laid to rest once and for all.
So that we can have meaningful discussions.
I think this biafra issue has lingered on that it now seems like a curse !

Thanks Adigun.

You are one of the few voices of reason from your part of Nigeria. Appreciated.
We don't feel inferior though. We feel hurt and betrayed.

@ akigbemaru

I get am before no be money
I would ignore your ignorant and childish rant.

@Eziachi

I see your point about willing participants forming nations. That is really my point. You can't form a nation with those who would end up selling you when a stronger enemy shows up. You form a nation with those who will stand and fight by you in the day of evil.

I have deliberately avoided proposing an "Igbo only" nation because our enemies always accuse us of selfishness. Of course I know that an Igbo only nation will thrive to greatness, but I would leave the room open to genuine partnerships in forming a credible nation. I know that most of those against Biafra do so out of fear that a Nigeria without Igbos will be like an empty shell. So, the option of partnerships remains one of the best ways of demonstrating our fair intentions. I would partner with any tribe who say what they mean and mean what they say.

Currently Nigeria is not working because northerners are saying that we are one, but kill Igbos anytime they feel like it. That in my book is betrayal. The west did the same in the war and has not repented from it.

Katsumoto:
Thank you for that. The strength of America today lies in it diversity. It embraces the unique skill-sets of every American, it does not value one section more than another because they are different. What America seeks is the best in every sphere of life. I believe that our leaders in Nigeria have failed because they lacked and still lack the vision to truly harness the gifts of all indigenous people of Nigeria. If, and when, Nigeria breaks up, we will all be the loser for it. All over the world, countries are forming alliances because their is strength in numbers. The strength and bargaining power of the Chinese today is the size of their market. The Chinese are not particularly innovative.

The European Union was formed to counter the strength of the US. The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) union was formed by the largest countries to counter the strengths of the EU and US. Incidentally the BRIC countries are all developing nations. Our visionless leaders should have been working to be included in such a bloc. Afterall, Nigeria is the largest black nation in the world. Instead, we are forced to keep debating break up. If and when we do break up, we would have lost that advantage. The constituent and emerging republics would be smaller than Ghana, Congo, SA, etc

I believe in unions that work and not just big size unions. Zik was the worst African leader in terms of vision. The man was simply blind. I don't know what blinded him, but his blindness is unparalleled in the annals of African political history. Under Zik's watch, western Camerouns left Eastern Nigeria to join Cameroun. I would still want to form a union with western Cameroun even today, because it is more homogeneous with Eastern Nigeria than northern Nigeria. My generation of Easterners must not repeat Zik's mistake. So, size is good only when it is functional and efficient. Otherwise, a Botswana is far better than a dysfunctional Nigeria. Botswanan passport enters many first world countries visa free, while a Nigerian passport is an international leper.

Katsumoto:
I have made my point; I am not going to play historical ping pong. My stand and the information I provided to back it is there for all to see. Let everyone analyse both comments and arrive at their conclusions. But your point about Ralph Uwazurike is quite laughable. I am sure that the majority of Nigerians will disagree with you on that.

I was making a point that there are different types of bravery and would not like to include non-military type of bravery, but you insisted on it, hence my inclusion of Uwazurike.

Katsumoto:
You are finally revealing your agenda against the Yoruba people. Like Aloy_Emeka said, I am not here to do an analysis of the bravest Nigerian people. I am here just to set the record straight about your comment about the Yoruba being cowards.

I never had an "agenda" against the Yoruba. I am here to really learn about Nigeria. You and I explored the possibility of a southern Nigeria, and I believed in it until you and some of your folks started to justify Awolowos open betrayal of Biafra. That was where we parted ways.

What about the individuals mentioned below? Were they not brave? I guess they do not fit into your definition of bravery, which is to beat your chest and take a knife to a gun fight. So Yoruba people are cowards because they have never led a coup. You know what that means, the Yorubas have never been responsible for the malaise bedeviling this nation. Our only offence is that we prefer diplomacy before fighting.

The first and most important weapon you need against an invading enemy is bravery and resolve, not weapons. Biafra lost the war, big deal. At least we stood for something and was prepared to fight for it, even bare handed. That is what I call bravery and that is what your people lack.

Soyinka – Spent 26 months in prison fighting the Biafran cause and is still active today fighting one injustice or the order.
Gani, Beko, Tai, Femi Falana – Social crusaders who were imprisoned several times, hounded by successive governments for speaking for the people of Nigeria
Fela – Fought for Nigerians and Africans in general through his music. Notably had his house burnt and his mother by unknown soldiers.

Ralph Uwazurike of MASSOB is braver than those lots. You know why? His people fought and lost a war and he is still out there campaigning for what he believes in. He stands a real chance of being killed but that hasn't stopped him.

Colonel Ayo Banjo – Fought for Biafra, led the Biafran Expeditionary Force to Ore before Ojukwu executed him

Lt. Col Ayo Ariyo – Resigned his position as Adekunle’s second in command at calabar, refusing to fight against Biafra

The Ijebu farmers revolt against the war (I think this was the Omopupa riot) which was crushed by Lt. Col Anthony Ochefu

These are noble men no doubt but we are not talking about nobility of the like. We appreciate them though.

I also take you back to a debate we were having the other day which you ran away from. You continue to accuse the Yoruba of cowardice and betrayal. Did Easterners not fight against Biafra? You talk about Awo's betrayal but Awo did what he thought was best for his people. Did Zik not abandon Biafra when it was obvious that the war was going to be lost? Like I said to you before, you do not have the right to accuse Awo of betrayal because Biafra was betrayed by Zik.

Here you go again blaming people who never assured Biafra of any loyalty. There are Igbos that fought for Nigeria. That is a known fact. Just like there are Yorubas that fought for Biafra. What separates Awo from them is the fact that before the war, he stated that he was "implacably opposed to war" against the East, but made a somersault to champion the most inhumane war policy against Biafra. The difference is like night and day.

Bravery does not win wars; good strategy does. Yoruba people may not be brave according to your fuzzy definition but Yoruba people are good strategists. In the said civil war, who were the best commanders? Were they not Yoruba? The war was won with the 3rd Marine Commando, initially under Adekunle before Obasanjo finished the war by splitting Owerri into two with the final assault. The sole Biafran incursion into Nigeria was also under a Yoruba man. Yoruba people may be the last to come to the battle, but when they do, they do not lose. It is better to know when to fight than to be ready to fight at any time.

Bravery does not win wars, but it sure helps a whole lot! As for the third marine commando, its exploit in the war is really exaggerated because the other two divisions (under Shuwa and Muhammed) which invaded Biafra from the north and west were under rated in the whole war. Assuming Ojukwu actually thought like the enemy, he would have sent the best or most of the Biafran forces to confront Adekunle in the south. He would have simply abandoned core east and moved down south. The oil war could have convinced Britain to not back Nigeria and the war could have turned out differently. Britain only backed the side that controlled the oil resources, and Biafra could have been that side. At least, a stalemate in the south could convince Britain to stay away and not back any sides, and the war could have turned out differently.

Ojukwu made a lot of mistakes, the most important of which was to trust the words of Obafemi Awolowo.
So, when we harp on it, and when your folks still show no remorse, you make the case yourselves.

Eziachi:
I also do not buy into the argument that Yorubas are cowards. They are not cowards. Cunning maybe! Not entirely bad, if it's one's your way of achieving a result especially in a basket case like Nigeria. Survival strategy you can call it.
I just think that Yorubas are not risk takers. They are overly cautious. While on the other side of the coin, Igbo people are big time risk takers, hence their success in business. I have seen my father while growing up, put everything we got to the last penny into a project that has 5% of success and still comes out smiling, with everyone biting their nails in suspense. That is a typical Igbo man way of life.
So it becomes an impossible, any marriage between the Yoruba/Igbo in any sort of union or country. It is not going to work.
They both have their ways of doing things and those two ways are too wide apart from each other.

On that point, let us agree to disagree. I know that being cunning is one of the greatest survival strategies of cowards. If you are not willing, or very reluctant to take risks, how do we know that we can count on you to take the risk of defending your fatherland? Bravery is all about taking risks. If you can't take risks, you are a coward. Simple.
Our biggest problem in Nigeria is that we like to complicate simple things. We all don't have to like one another to form a country, but when you are willing to sell me off to an invading enemy, I must not form a country with you. Defense is the most important foundation for setting up a country. Without that, you are only living on borrowed time.
At this point Eziachi, I must ask you: What is your best alternative to this dysfunctional country we call Nigeria?
I'm here to learn and teach.

aloy-emeka:
I am not here to do brave analysis. Wole Soyinka risked his life and could have died in jail during the Biafran war, what is more brave than that?. The Ekiti man that died with Aguiyi Ironsi nko? What is more brave than that?. 

I already addressed the Fajuyi case in my earlier post and I would want to see more Fajuyis in the west.

The three decider in any war in Nigeria will be Igbo, hausa and Yoruba. So, one camp leaving will mean 1/3 fighting against 2/3. Yoruba will not do that because they suspect the igbos are waiting to get their pound of flesh. I will not be surprised if Igbos join the Hausas if the Yorubas start war today. So, that distrust is the problem and that is the part of Biafran war won by the Hausas so much.

Not necessarily so. I know that Igbos will not join the north to fight against the west unless the west claims parts of Igboland. I doubt that even the north would want to fight to keep them in Nigeria. There is nothing to fight for.
The pound of flesh thing is a red herring. The Igbo is more interested in a country that works, where they can live in peace and safety to conduct their business. The pound of flesh theory is part of the divide and rule strategy by the north against the south.

On the other hand, there is no guarantee that the Yorubas will stick to plan if Igbos decides to start another war again. Their council of crooks may attend owambe in Sokoto while you guys are dying in the jungle. Betrayal is a bi/tch.

That is a more reasonable concern. There is no guarantee that the Yoruba won't join the north (out of fear) to fight against the east again. None whatsoever.

In the final analysis, I believe that a southern Nigeria should not include Yorubaland because I doubt that they have the spirit to fight for its defense. Beginning from Edo, I would extend invitation to parts of Kogi, Benue state, parts of Plateau state and Taraba states. Southern Nigeria should be made of regions whose words you can take to the bank. No more back stabbing.
Southern Nigeria is only possible minus the Yoruba.

aloy-emeka:
I do not buy that Yoruba is a coward line because the likes of Wole Soyinka, Tai Solarin, Gani, Falana, Tinubu, etc are Yorubas and for sure they will match in front of any war.  Wole Soyinka went to jail because he supported Biafra and I guess the Akingbemarus will also call Soyinka greedy for staying in jail for 3 years in support of Biafra. We are so self centered in Nigeria that we can agree to stay in shackles as long as the other tribe is in pains. I strive for freedom for all and the only way out is for everybody to go its way. Of course, the Union of the South will not come easy but for sure there will not be any discriminate blood bath.

There are different types of bravery. Much as I respect people like Soyinka and Solarin, I cannot remember them in military fatigues in battlefields. I'm sorry. Take a close look at Nigeria's history, you will find that the closest a Yoruba got to true bravery was when Fajuyi stood by Ironsi and died for it. He stood for something higher than himself. It was risky, but he stood nevertheless. Taking a position despite real and imminent risk is what I call bravery.

I would want to recall a coup in Nigeria led by a Yoruba officer. None. I would also want to recall a principled position taken by the Yoruba which could have led to war. It never happened even after Abiola died in jail.
The only military campaign by a Yoruba officer was when Adenkule, leading a largely northern and gwodo gwodo soldiers invaded Calabar in 1967. Obasanjo inherited that same force, and when Murtala Muhammed died in Dimka's coup of 1976, he ran and hid under the bed! He came out only after he was assured of safety by the Babangidas and Yar aduas.

If Ojukwu was actually fighting for oil as liars like Obasanjo alluded to, he would have sent the best Biafran forces south into the delta at the onset of war. But he sent them westwards trying to boost Yoruba guts to rise up and fight. What we got was a stab in the back.

So, until I see the Yorubas lead a true military campaign which is really risky, I beg to keep my beliefs. 

Wily*Wily:
Ebonyi Revolutionary Peoples Party (E.R.P.P)

lmfao!

aloy-emeka:
It's very clear to them but tribal bigotry will forever blind them. If Igbos should be massacred because of Kaduna Nzeogwu, why haven't the Yoruba massacred the Hausa/Fulanis in Lagos since their late brother, Abacha dealt with prominent Yorubas?. Should the middle belt massacre the hausa/Fulanis because of Orkar and vice versa?. It's the igbo envy that drives the likes of Akingbemaru to choose living in fear and penury in place of freedom.

The [b]Akingbemaru[/b]s of the south is what makes southern Nigeria impossible, believe me I diligently explored that possibility and came up with the same Yoruba attitudes displayed by the likes of Awo in 1967.
There was a time I believed a southern Nigeria was possible, but after carefully examining perspectives from the west, I found out that they are only interested in a breakaway that ensures no dangers to Yorubaland.

That alone kills any possibility of partnership with the rest of the south. The formation of any new nation involves risks. The west is not interested in risks.
But come to think of it, isn't it clear that Nigeria is a very vulnerable country because western Nigerians are cowards? Supposing an enemy invades Nigeria from the west, who will fight there? I know Igbos won't, and northerners may not want to fight there because there is no oil.

Hmm, this country makes me laugh. Nigeria has been only preparing for a war against the East which allows the Yorubas to hide behind Hausas in attacking the East again. Problem is that this scenario will NEVER happen again.
Funny country indeed!

Ellyptical:
I have noticed on countless occasions that the average Yoruba man is always afraid of taking decisive action. They exhibit this lilly-livered behavior and always chicken out in the last minute when courage is most needed.
Here we are with someone asking if we are going to be happier apart. Even if we will not be happier apart, is it not worth the lives that will be saved by the division? If Biafra had been formed in 1966 would the countless lives that were lost in the 62 different religious clashes that have happened between 2000 and date?
http://www.modernghana.com/news2/260135/1/62-cases-of-mass-islamic-terrorism-unleashed-on-ni.html

Mr Man,
Live is the important thing. If the division will put an end to the loss of lives, please go for it. Learn to priorities issues. I am still amazed that if this were to be a house (let's say senate or reps) someone will argue against division on the grounds that 'we cannot tell if we will be happier apart'. Even if we cannot tell, for 49 years we have been together and unhappy. Why not try something different?
A popular saying has it that madness is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result . . . food for thought.

Thanks a lot my friend. I remember being tackled by some slowpoke here about the fact that Nigeria kills people. He challenged me to produce proof!

marvix:
Vote No
South South/Edo/Esan North East.
I believe in the youths of this nation that are bein raised the hard way there is actually strength in our diversity.

Yes, assuming the diversity is allowed to bring out its best and not its worst. You will not understand this until you have lived outside Nigeria and had been unfortunate enough to approach a Nigerian embassy. The quality of service and the mindset of the staff will make it abundantly clear that we have a nation without an identity. No common set of values. In our case, the least qualified occupies the most sensitive national positions and it has no chance of ever changing.

At an age older than we are America Fought a civil war some wanted to go alone but 2day they are 2geda nd stronger. Up til the 60s there was stil discriminations against the blacks in their midst even today racists stil exist in America but a black man is President.
Even within the divisions people are killing each other even within families brothers kill brothers over land,inheritance,money and what have you.

Unfortunately Nigeria may yet fight another civil war, a real one this time. If the chauvinism that is ruining Nigeria continues. If some tribes continue to feel that they are the new colonizers and overlords. If some tribes are only playing the vulture (sitting on the trees and waiting for opportunities). If religious intolerance continues. Our next war is inevitable and our division certain.

The US is a model on its own which we have never studied. Like Ellyptical said, comparing Nigeria to US is like comparing an ostrich to a lion. One country acknowledges the cultural diversity of its citizen and provides for the ability of the citizen to own guns at home, (apart from the multi-level police formations), the other maintain one corrupt police force which kill innocent citizens at illegal roadblocks. In one country, you are really the architect of your own fate. In another, the Sultan of Sokoto influences your life more than your state governor. In the US, you are identified by your tribe. Every census material carry such racial and tribal identification data. It is necessary for planning. In Nigeria we are even too afraid to conduct a credible census with tribal identification because our new colonizers don't want us to know which tribe is actually the largest.
Bottom line is that the US is bold to embrace facts and build on it. So you can have hope that the future will be better. In Nigeria we can't even tell ourselves the truth about something as simple as population.
So, how can you tell me that the future will be better? Doesn't make sense at all.

If Adams can bcom gov of Edo and a Fashola cld emerge in Lagos nd the nation could shoot down the 3rd term agenda with time we wil get it right it may not be in my life time but one day we would surely get there

I can understand that you may be desperate about Nigeria collapsing because you may lose the size and the hubris of the grandiose white elephant project called Nigeria. However, I would advise that you think past size. Soviet Union was larger and richer than Nigeria, but it had to collapse. Nigeria needs to collapse. Don't worry, one of the emerging nations would absorb your folks in Edo state. You can chose to go with the north if you so love them or the west or the east. The choice is yours. Trusting in a future "great Nigeria" is barking off the wrong tree.

SEFAGO:
This is an example of a non-local classy accent, compare it to Ojo Maduekwe

Local Onithsa village man

Kai if this is who is representing us on the local stage, man we are laughing stock of the world


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg

Thanks for that link. My sister Chimamanda Adichie is refreshing any day. She reminds me of the okoro spirit.
Welcome back though. Onye oshi.

edoyad:
@papabrowne nice question. Usually in a secession a referendum is held to iron out the modalities just like the one that will be held in South Sudan later on in the year. Personally i don't believe breaking Nigeria into only 2 or 3 countries will resolve all outstanding issues but it would atleast be a start.

Nigeria today is not working because the country shares no common sets of values and beliefs across the length and breadth of the country. My set of values as an Easterner (and I mean all easterners now -enugu, anambra, imo, abia, cross-rivers, akwa ibom, ebonyi, rivers, bayelsa and parts of delta) forbids me attacking and killing foreigners in my land unless under a very extreme sets of circumstances like retaliations. In times of crisis, these foreigners are secured first because we believe that any harm done to them would create enmity between us and their home tribes or nations. Islamic northern Nigeria does not share those values hence the constant killings in the north. Killing of foreigners without provocation happened in the north in 1940s. It is still happening today (an eye-popping 60 years after! )

I no longer believe in a southern Nigeria which yoke Igbo and Yoruba into one nation. It just can't work. Middle belters who want to form a nation with Igbo and other easterners are welcome provided they agree that every child under 18 must be in school. Just my view.

Wily*Wily:
Look at Islam,
I said it before and will continue saying it, Satan sent Mohammed to cause trouble on earth through Islam.

Hmm, I remember the parable of the farmer and his farm by Jesus in the bible. A farmer sowed some wheat in his farm. While men slept at night, the enemy came in and sowed the weeds. When everything grew up, they all looked similar!
So, the laborers asked the farmer whether they should go in and uproot the weeds, the farmer said no. He said that in the process of uprooting the weeds,they may mistakenly uproot the wheat. So he charged them to leave both on the farm until harvest, when the wheat will be harvested first and stored in the barnyard, while the weeds will be gathered and burnt.
I don't want to believe that Islam is that weed, but the fruits has been largely destruction and wars.
Islam came to this earth about 600 years after Jesus. We have never known peace since then!

udezue:
Igbos can do it with or without Niger-Delta.
Like someone pointed out Igbo land stretches all the way to Delta - Anioma, Edo-Igbo Akiri to Ikwerre, Ndoni Rivers state so whether you like it or not Igbo land is part of so called Niger delta and if all Igbos were to simply go with Biafra which will obvioulsy happen the so called Niger delta republic will shrink even more and be split almost in half that is if Akwaibom and Crossrivers opt to join Nigerdelta instead of Biafra that I doubt will happen. I am partly Ibibio and based on opinions of many Efik - Ibibio  they will rather stay on their own or continue with Biafra than be part of Niger Delta republic. The average Efik man doesn't even see himself as Niger deltan. Its mostly an Ijaw thing to them.

My honest opinion Ijaw, Igbo, Ibibio, Ogoni even Urhobo should opt for a United Kingdoms or States of Biafra than split into small small entities. Either way their autonomy will still be there and respected due to how related and connected we are. The only nation that can bring about having the Ijaw and Efik-Ibibio under one federation will be Biafra. Most Ibibio I know share that opinion. They will rather deal with the Ijaw in a nation where there are other ethnicities especially the Igbo than deal with them alone in a nation mostly dominated by the Ijaw with smaller ethncities to balance power.

Igbo will be the largest nation in Biafra
Efik-Ibibio and the Ijaw will be 2 smaller but large / sizable nations with about the same population,
Ogoni and Urhobo-Isoko will be the smallest in population
but EVERY ETHNIC NATIONALITY MUST HAVE ITS OWN AUTONOMY AND LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE NO MATTER THE SIZE AND POPULATION.

Not a bad idea at all. That is, assuming people will actually use their heads for once. I'm still hopeful nevertheless.

Sun of god:
Or even better - just 2 divisions; Biafra and 'The Rest Of Them' (Nigeria)

May be the likely scenario. However the territory of Biafra may even extend up to the north! I know there are many northerners (the Christians) who would like to join. I also know that those northerners are prepared to fight for what they believe in. I don't see them continuing with the Islamic north. This is just a compassionate suggestion. Of course Biafra will only include people who join willingly,and are willing to adopt its ethos. It can even end up only in Igboland. We march forward nevertheless.
And my vote is a resounding YES!

South East/Anambra/Rep of Biafra

Mbeki:
Nigeria is an example of a bad marriage, live together in peace, no way, divorce no way! So stop deceiving yourself, God did not put Nigeria together, one day, we'll go our separate way.

Northwest/kaduna/lere/republic of biafra

Welcome my brother!

Zik was never a Biafran and Ndigbo never forgave him for that. We don't sweep things under the carpet.
Zik was a Nigerian until his death, which is why he is NOT a revered figure in Igboland. Ojukwu is the leader of Ndigbo, and we love him to death still

Katsumoto:
So Awo was a key player while Zik an Igbo man was not? Awo, A yoruba man, owed loyalty to Biafra but Zik did not? I can not believe what I am reading. Clear case of selective reasoning to me. I am out

Wait a minute, what was Ziks official government portfolio in Nigeria during the war? What was his portfolio in Biafra? Did he support Biafra's move from day one?
Awolowo was the effective deputy president of Nigeria and the economic affairs minister. He advocated using starvation as a weapon of war. Zik only tried to play ambassadorial and mediation roles.
How I wish he supported Biafra from the start, Biafra wouldn't have trusted Awolowo for instance.

Katsumoto:
I posted the texts below in another thread. Can you please comment on it; since you refused to comment on it in the other thread. You can Yoruba cowards but the fact remains that Ojukwu ran and left his people, Zik ran and switched sides when the war was almost lost. Remove the log in your own eyes before you talk about Awo.

Awo and Zik were leaders of the Yoruba and Igbo respectively. Awo initially had sympathies for the Biafran cause and made a CONDITIONAL statement that the Yoruba would leave if the Igbo were allowed to leave. He later acted against the Biafran cause (I believe he did not want to turn the West into a battleground); consequently, he was accused of duplicity by the Igbo.

I deliberately didn't respond to the other post because this post is more relevant. I don't argue just for the heck of it. The intent of the discussion here is to explore or investigate the possibility of forming political partnerships across southern Nigeria.
Back to your point.

Zik was never the Igbo leader or even Eastern leader between 1966 and 1970. The Eastern leader was Okpara before the coup, and Ojukwu after the coup. Zik was a national player. He never stopped, even when the war started. He always looked to preserve his stupid bigger sphere of influence in Nigeria. Biafra was declared against his wishes and designs. He never liked it from day one. So, he never owed Biafra any loyalty.
He was powerless in Biafra. Biafra was a popular Eastern demand, and Awolowo acknowledged that in his speech to the Western house. Awolowo also stated in clear terms that he was "implacably oppposed" to the use of force against Biafra since there was the Aburi instruments which was satisfactory in addressing the situation. So, how did he leap from that to making statements during the war which authorized the starving of Biafran children?
So, for you to keep trying to muddle the waters of this discussion, and to keep trying to change the core issues under discussion, and to keep bringing up the coup of 1966, is the height of slyness and dishonesty.

We are talking about the war of 1967 -1970 and the key actors like Awolowo. Your unrepentance is very instructive.

British troops burned the US Capital and White House -two institutions of US government in 1814. The Americans fought back until they reclaimed their freedom and land.
Apart from Biafra and Guinea Bissau, no other entity in West African geographic region fought for independence.
Biafra's quest was complete, but failed. Guinea Bissau fought against the Portuguese and won in 1974.

"Southern Nigeria" can only happen minus those not willing to take risks. Common sense.

Wily*Wily:
Republic of South Nigeria minus Yoruba is OK.

To think that I believed in this idea a while ago! My Yoruba friends can't even acknowledge and repudiate a blatant and "koro-koro" betrayal of Biafra and the East by Awolowo. The facts are there, but rather than address them, these people would rather put up a fierce shameless defense of open immoral acts of betrayal.
How can I as an Easterner trust a Yoruba for any serious political partnership?

In political partnerships, there are risks. Sometimes you win and at other times you lose. The Yoruba people here only see winnings and not loses. That is not how things work in real life. There must be times for you to stand for something even if you may lose. That is why the United States is regarded as the "home of the brave" because after independence, the British (a world super power at the time) invaded the US and laid siege. The US was in disarray, but the only thing that saved America from recolonization was stout defense by American patriots. That was the war of 1812 -1815.

Now, how can a "southern Nigeria" put up such a defense when key parts of it are only interested in winnings? I don't want to say Yorubas are cowards. All I can say is that popular Yoruba opinion here sees nothing wrong with betrayal, as long as Yorubaland is preserved.

That alone convinces me that a southern Nigeria is a pipe dream.

Meanwhile, my education continues on nairaland!
Thanks folks.

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