The story in the New York Times of today, the 14th August, 2011 written by David D. Kirkpatrick and C.J. Chiver titled “Tribal Rifts Threaten to Undermine Libya Uprising” makes a very interesting reading. The kernel of the story is how tribal differences is undermining the current six-month-old uprising against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. The writers suggested how there are signs of sliding of the struggle to overthrow an autocrat into a murkier contest between factions and tribes.
This is a lesson for those who believe that the Nigeria must be divided along Ethnic & Religious Lines. Libya is almost 100 percent homogeneous in terms of ethnicity & religion. The country is hundred percent Islam. The country is Arab. Arabic is the Main Language. Most of Libya’s people are Arabs. The Berbers were once the main ethnic group, but most Berbers have now accepted Arabic Culture. The Berbers are descended from the people who lived in North Africa before the arrival of the Arabs. Most Libyans are Muslims belonging to the Sunnah branch if Islam. They are two main branches of Islam, Sunnah and Shia. But there Libya society is essentially a Tribal society.
Is there any guarantee that If Nigeria is divided along ethnic or religious lines as some people are canvassing, there will peace and stability? Among the Yoruba People there are ethnic differences. For instance the Yewa and Awori people in the PDP were demanding that Governorship should be zoned to them. There are also Egba and Ijebu.
In Oyo there are difference between Ibadan and the rest. The North is complete mosaic complex. In some States in the North such as Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa the ethnic composition is a challenge. For instance in Jos metropolis in Plateau State, there are more than three major ethnic groups. Even among the Fulani people, there are differences between the Town Fulani and the Cattle Fulani. Some of the Cattle Fulanis are not even Muslim.
In Kano State, there are indigenous group that is not Islamic. What of the Zuru people of Kebbi State, in the heart of Sokoto Caliphate who are either Christians or traditionalist? What of Bornu State, an enclave that has been Islamized for more than one thousand years? There are groups in Bornu State who are Christians.
The Igbo also have their own divisions along dialectic lines. The Wawa people of Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia are sometimes not consider real “Igbo” by some Igbo people. What of the differences between Onitsha People and the rest of Ndigbo? The Igbo people even have a caste system that discriminate against some people on the ground of caste. It is considered anathema or a taboo to marry or associate with somebody from this group. There is also the distinct Cross River Igbo.There is also the sharp division in Igbo land between the Catholic and Anglican. Was this sort of division not responsible for centuries of hatred and acrimony between the English and Irish people?
In my State, Cross River State, the ethnic division is daunting. In a Local Government Area, it is possible to discern more than four ethnic nationalities. In Calabar Metropolis, there are three major groups namely the Efiks, Efuts and Ejaham (Qua). I have heard some people from Eket in Akwa Ibom State striving to suggests that they are not Ibibios. The Oron people claim that there are not Ibibios. The Anang People in Akwa Ibom State says they are not Ibibios. Edo State is also very complex in terms of ethnicity and linguistic.
I pray that the ethnic and religious bigots among us will allow Nigeria to continue to remain a melting pot of the Black Race. It is clear that religious or ethnic homogeneity is not a guarantor of stability and progress. All we need is a complete and total restructuring of Nigeria. There is no reason why 80 % of National Resources should be devoted towards the maintenance a dysfunctional, corrupt and inept bureaucracy. There is no justification why the National Assembly or State legislature should not be on part basis. It is good leadership we need. Good leadership will ensure peace, harmony and prosperity. Singapore is not a homogeneous country.
Okoi Obono-Obla
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