What does democracy teach and promise us? The underlying principle of
\ndemocracy is that it is a system of governance by the people and for the
\npeople. While democracy is far from perfect or even fair in many instances,
\nit translates to a system of leadership where the desires and agitations of
\nthe majority should matter.<\/p>\n
There is an agitation for secession in the south east and parts of the
\nsouth south. It is impossible to pretend we do not know this. We all saw
\ntens of thousands of Nigerians protesting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu,
\nthe lead vocal pro-Biafra republic agitator in spite of his insults and
\ndirect threats to Nigerian citizens and Nigeria as a whole. The support for
\nhis agenda is not only within Nigeria but can be measured from his large
\nfollowership who pay “tithes” to his movement religiously across the
\ncontinents.<\/p>\n
While many who abided by the sit-at-home may not be supporters of the cause
\nbut people in fear of attack if they dared to go out and as such may not
\nbe a valuable averment to measure the fervor for secession, there are
\nother undeniable measurable indices of a true call.<\/p>\n
Again unlike calls for Odudua and other secessionist ends, there are dozens
\nof “Biafra” christened websites and projects online that cannot be ignored.<\/p>\n
Asserting that there is a sizable agitation for the promises Nnamdi Kanu
\nand other lead agitators makes\u2013 restoration of the secessionist Biafra
\nrepublic \u2013 the only thing left democratically is to measure its true volume.<\/p>\n
A cursory perusal of comments and statements of those under the “Biafra”
\nregion’s umbrella online gives a sizable number in support even in
\nmainstream media. Apart from, from politicians, it is hard to come across
\nthe pronouncement “we do not want Biafra.” I just searched.<\/p>\n
However we may be quite wrong. There may be more people who do not want
\nBiafra within the covered states and beyond, whose voices we do not hear
\nand who do not have a media impact.<\/p>\n
Based on the above, regardless of whether Biafra will be granted, it is a
\ndemocratic prerogative to explore the true desire for its secession. I keep
\nsaying and advising Nigeria’s leaders
\n<http:\/\/nigeriamasterweb.com\/Masterweb\/masterwebnews-4617-osinbajo-opines-we-are-better-together-who>
\nthat
\nwe cannot continue to keep our heads in the sand while our members
\ncontribute negatively to the progress of the nation and dedicate their
\nentire time to fighting what they regard as our injustice towards them not
\neven hearing their case. Their feeling is akin to going to a court and
\nbeing told that the judge is simply not interested in hearing your case.<\/p>\n
In view of the above, we must find out what proportion of members of the
\n“Biafra” region want to secede and and in what areas of it they are in
\nmajority. This is the first and a most urgent step towards putting the
\nnation on the right direction.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, 51% majority or even a 60% majority means more of discontent
\nthan an actionable majority. This is my opinion. Something can be worked
\nout in that case to allay agitations. However 80% and above will indicate
\nan inexorable urgency to act and act now. Again, this is my opinion. I just
\ndon’t believe in the 50-50 math for a process as serious and complex as
\nsplintering of a nation.<\/p>\n
Now, to the headline. For all we know, 99% of those under the “Biafra”
\nregion’s banner want to secede. Even those with investments in the north
\nmay want and vote for the process given that the leadership promises them
\nto compensate them for their investments from the proceeds of the resources
\nof the independent state. We have no way of knowing if a whopping 99%
\ndesire Biafra because Nigeria’s leadership has been too immeshed in the
\npower, wealth and opportunity of ruling the nation, that they have never
\nconducted a referendum.<\/p>\n
Can we deny that if 90% desire Biafra and call for it, IPOB is right and
\nMASSOB is also right for propagating the true desires of their majority?
\nCan we also deny that if such a large majority will choose their own state
\nover Nigeria, that the Coalition of Northern Groups is right to advise the
\nNigerian state to grant them their desire and begin the process of
\nrelocating them? The Coalition of Northern Groups in such a case, reading
\nthe disgruntlement of the majority will be correct in soliciting not for
\ntheir dismissal but for their restoration to aide its youth peers and
\nfriends in the South east get their heart’s desire.<\/p>\n
From an academic and democratic point of view, while we may fault their
\ncrudeness, tendency for provocation and instigation, we cannot fault the
\nlarger thematic argument of all these Nigeria’s youths. Again this goes
\ninto the same story and song of Nigeria where the old goons think they know
\nit all and the youth have no ideas and input into the decisions that guide
\ntheir existence. Indeed the questions of restoration of regionalism and
\nrestructuring should be asked of all Nigerians. These are things added to
\nregular electoral polls in the so-called developed world.<\/p>\n
Sending the police to arrest them and the army to mow them down and bury
\nthem secretly will not address the core issues or help us get to the
\npromised land. It is time to give audience to the calls from the north and
\nsouth of the Niger.<\/p>\n
It takes long to build, but a short time to tear down. Look at Borno,
\nLibya, Syria. We must build only on a sure foundation, else we are wasting
\nour time.<\/p>\n
*It is time to ask the people what they want and to measure who wants it,
\nwhere they are and why they want it. *<\/p>\n
Dr. Perry Brimah; @EveryNigerian; 2019 campaign platform:
\nhttp:\/\/AdvancedNigerian.com <http:\/\/advancednigerian.com\/>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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