This is a continuation of the article of above caption published last Friday, June 27th
The most painful aspect of the avoidable war is the belief by many that it was “a personal war and collision of egos” between Gowon and Ojukwu. ” There are a number who believe that neither Gowon nor Ojukwu were the right leaders for that desperate time, because they were blinded by ego, hindered by a lack of administrative experience, and obsessed with interpersonal competition and petty rivalries,”( There was a country, 2012). As a consequence, continued Achebe, they failed to make appropriate and wise decisions throughout the conflict and missed several opportunities when compromise could have saved the day.” According to Raph Uwechue( Biafra’s envoy to Paris up until 1968 and then later Nigeria’s ambassador to Mali),”In Biafra, two wars were fought simultaneously. The first was for the survival of the Igbo as a race. The second was for the survival of Ojukwu’s leadership. Ojukwu’s error, which proved fatal for millions of Igbo, was that he put the latter first”( There was a country, 2012). The ethnic cleansing was real. But the two major actors were proved to be incapable of administering the delicate and complex situation. Nigeria’s cave at its deepest and its shadow at its darkest.
Tribalism’s Lasting Chains
Tribalism’s poison endures and its tools persist in Nigeria’s quota system, federal character, catchment areas and state of origin policies( The Cable, 2023; Punch, 2022). JAMB’s skewed cut-offs for Northern States (120 vs 160), and NYSC’s cohort postings, ministerial slots by states, University admissions favoring locals, and origin certificates deepen division and chain talent to ethnicity, not merit. Thomas Sowell, American economist, slices through: ” When people are treated as members of groups, rather than as individuals, the result is often a loss of both efficiency and fairness”( Wealth, Poverty and Politics, 2016). These policies, like Awo’s dagger, infantilize tongues, sow dependency, breed resentment, and spit on Zik’s dream (Vanguard, 2023).
The “Giant of Africa” Lie
Nigeria is a hollow giant. Suffice it to say that Nigeria’s “giant of Africa” boast is a lie—-its U$253 billion GDP (4th) lags behind South Africa’s U$373 billion(1st) and pales in per- capita wealth (U$1.150) against Mauritius’s U$12.973 (Web: 21). Oil-chained, Nigeria’s 24.5% inflation and naira’s 95.6% fall dwarf South Africa’s diversified stability( mining, banking) and Mauritius’s tourist-driven wealth( Web:23). South Africa’s U$ 6.250 per-capita GDP and Mauritius’s high Human Development Index expose Nigeria’s hollow giant of Africa claim, her 230 million chained by corruption and insecurity( World Bank, 2024). Nigeria’s ” biggest economy” is cancelled by inflation.
Nigeria’s Security Crisis: A Path Beyond the Shadows
Nigeria’s security landscape is a battleground of chaos—- Boko Haram’s insurgency in the Northeast, rampant banditry in the Northwest, and kidnappings that paralyze daily life. Added to the illegal stay-at -home imposition every monday on all Southeastern States of the Federation by illegal political and social groups, leading to incalculable economic losses incurred by the region’s business class. These treats choke economic progress, deter investment, and erode trust in governance. Some claim that Nigeria’s diverse, federal structure demands a nuanced approach, preaching a “soft glove” strategy to weaken Boko Haram by addressing root causes: invest in education to counter radicalization, empower communities through local policing, and expand deradicalization programs like Operation Safe Corridor. Addressing poverty and illiteracy counters extremist recruitment..They espouse that Nigeria must blend firm security measures with socioeconomic reforms, ensuring stability without sacrificing democracy, an indirect shot at Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador. Too romantic. Bukele’s approach has since proved effective and deserves to be implemented in Nigeria. You don’t treat terrorists with a soft glove, but iron-fisted crackdowns. Our law enforcement agents deserve better and decent security apparatuses.
The Inertia of Followership: Nigeria’s Silent Complicity in Stagnation
The awakened consciousness of ordinary citizens has repeatedly altered history’s course. In 44 BCE, Rome’s plebians, roused by Mark Anthony’s fiery oration beside Julius Caesar’s slain body, unleashed protests that shook the Republic, paving the way for the Second Triumvirate’s rise. In 1929, the Aba Women’s Riot in Nigeria saw Igbo women rise against colonial taxes and warrant chiefs, compelling British reforms and marking a pivotal anti-colonial stand. The Arab Spring, ignited in Tunisia in 2010 by Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation, sparked mass protests that toppled President Ben Ali and inspired region-wide demands for democratic change. These movements, driven by collective resolve, highlight the power of followership to change oppression and reshape political landscapes, offering lessons for Nigeria’s struggle against tribalism, corruption and aparthy.
Nigeria’s followership inertia in politics and society stems from deep-rooted factors. Tribalism plays a significant role in that. Ethnic loyalties, exploited by the profligate elite, deepen divisions and prioritize group interests over national unity, stifling collective action. Politicians leverage tribal identities to secure votes, fostering apathy as citizens align with ethnic patrons rather than demand accountability. Poverty and illiteracy limit civic awareness, making citizens vulnerable to manipulation through ethnic and religious appeals. Fear of reprisals from state or non-state actors stifles political and social activism. Patronage systems, where the elite distribute favors for loyalty, entrench apathy and discourage dissent. Weak institutions and rampant corruption erode trust, fostering resignation among the populace. Colonial legacies and divisive politics further weaken social cohesion, perpetuating passive followership. Grassroots education, economic empowerment, stronger civic institutions and inclusive governance are essential to break this inertia and spur active political and social engagement and galvanize active citizenship.
