Catalonia will declare independence “immediately” if the region’s voters opt to separate from Spain in a referendum, its ruling coalition said Tuesday as it unveiled a bill aimed at ensuring the vote takes place despite Madrid’s refusal.

“If the majority of votes are for creating a Catalan republic, obviously independence will have to be declared immediately,” said Gabriela Serra, a member of the separatist coalition that governs Catalonia.

If the “no” wins in the planned October 1 referendum, she added in Barcelona, new regional elections will be called.

Her comments came as the coalition presented a bill aimed at extracting the northeastern region from Spain’s legal system in a bid to circumvent all legal and practical challenges to organising a referendum — a move that will deepen tensions with Madrid.

The bill will be submitted to a vote in the Catalan regional parliament, where separatists hold a majority, at the end of August.

– ‘Coup d’etat’ -
Lluis Corominas, another regional lawmaker from the coalition, announced the law would “prevail” over other rules in place.

Article 2 of the bill stipulates that the Catalan population is a “sovereign subject” that has the right to decide its own “political conditions”.

But Xavier Garcia Albiol, head of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party in Catalonia, said it was merely “a coup d’etat dressed up as democracy”.

Catalonia, a wealthy region of 7.5 million inhabitants with its own language and customs, has long demanded greater autonomy.

For years separatist politicians in the region have tried to win approval from Spain’s central government to hold a vote similar to Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum from Britain — which was approved by London — and resulted in a “no” vote.

But Madrid has remained steadfast in its opposition to such a vote, considering it a threat to Spain’s unity, and this time is no different.

The Constitutional Court has already quashed a resolution approved by Catalonia’s parliament calling for the referendum to take place.

It has also warned Catalonia’s elected officials that they will face legal consequences if they take any steps towards holding such a vote.

The draft bill unveiled Tuesday confirmed the date of the referendum, as well as the question: “Do you want Catalonia to be an independent state in the form of a republic.”

– Divisions among separatists –
But challenges from Madrid aside, Catalans themselves are divided on the issue.

Some 48.5 percent are against independence and 44.3 percent are in favour, according to a recent regional government poll — although a large majority want a referendum to take place to settle the matter once and for all.

On top of this, the Catalan executive has been wracked by internal debate over the issue, unable to find a way to guarantee the credibility of such a vote, if it ever manages to hold it faced with Madrid’s refusal.

It has no regional election authority to oversee the vote, for instance, and has not found any companies willing to provide ballot boxes.

Aside from the legal bans of the Constitutional Court, the central government has also threatened civil servants with sanctions if they help organise the referendum, and has warned companies against any involvement.

In an interview on Monday, Jordi Baiget, the regional councillor in charge of business, expressed doubt over whether the referendum could take place, given the power of Madrid.

But this was not to the liking of Catalonia’s President Carles Puigdemont, who promptly announced Baiget’s departure on Monday evening — a decision that was criticised by some of the most fervent supporters of independence.

AFP

mesoprogress:
Stupidity at the highest level. Mbaise will never change

lofty900:
One is ugly and intelligent while the other is fooolish and pretty. You can't have it all. God gave Africa resources and gave others the brain. He knows best

Uchihaitaci:
[img]https://media./images/da8c78f7a942d1bb85f92aa19783ce1b/tenor.gif[/img]

By Emmanuel Uzodinma on June 30, 2017

The Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku Community in Umuahia north local government area of Abia State on Thursday dissociated themselves from the call for succession as being championed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

DAILY POST reports that the community pledged their support and loyalty to a united and indivisible Nigeria.

Isiama Afaraukwu ibeku community is the hometown of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Addressing journalists in a press conference organized by the community on Thursday, an elder statesman, Chief Geoffrey Onyemaobi said the people of Isiama Afaraukwu ibeku was not part of the agitation for sovereign state of Biafra, just as he raised alarm over the invasion of the community by IPOB members.

He explained that on Wednesday, the community was invaded by members of IPOB, with over five hundred vehicles, which led to heavy traffic jam in the area.

According to Onyemaobi, the IPOB members blocked the entire roads in the community and that it took residents of the community about two hours to get home from Umuahia town.

He pointed out that it took him two hours to get Isiama Afaraukwu from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) junction, Umuahia, appealing to federal and Abia state governments to come to their aid over the invasion of the community by those he referred as ‘outsiders’.

Onyemaobi restated once again that Isiama Afaraukwu ibeku was not supporting break-up of Nigeria, maintaining that they joined other well meaning individuals on the call for Nigeria restructuring.

His words,”They invaded my community, isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku yesterday, that’s on Wednesdaover
“There was no space in entire Isiama Afaraukwu. They invaded the community with over five hundred vehicles carrying young boys who have no idea how war looks like, walking around every place in this community.

“The people of the community, including myself could not come out from our compound. They blocked our gates and roads with vehicles. I had to manage to squeeze myself out.

“Coming back, it took me complete two hours from Federal medical Centre (FMC) junction, through Aba road, because they blocked the Golden Guinea Breweries road, I had to take Holy Trinity road, still they blocked it. No space anywhere in Afaraukwu.

“Two hours to get to my compound. Is it what we are going see in this community? We are appealing to government to please come to the aid of this community. We are not part of what is going, I mean, Biafra agitation. We are not part of it.

“The community is being invaded by outsiders. They are invading our community. We are only calling on government to protect us. This is an invasion. One cannot come out of his compound, we have been held inside our compound.

“We are calling on the Abia state and federal government to wake up because what is coming gradually now, might turn to something else.

“We want peace in this community. There is tension everywhere in this country. If they want us to break up this country, this is not the way to go about it; it is by referendum, everybody will sit down and agree.

“But I don’t believe breaking up of this country is the right thing to do. I believe that there must be changes in the polity. I believe the present federal government is listening. Everybody in this country have said we need to restructure Nigeria.

“And we believe if this country is restructured, all these agitations will cease.‎”

Benekruku:
Flat-heads re cowards!


Had an opportunity to capitalise on and exit the North like they have always bragged about, only for them to turn it to a debate topic!

Empty barrels!

They don't want there Biafra again when the chips re almost down!

oyatz:
Biafra will be actualised online.

konfused:



A Nigeria where every thing works as its supposed to. Good roads, steady electricity, good heath care, security, the list is endless

Medical evaluation should be part what aspirants should go through to be
certified mentally and physically fit
for every position aspired for .

Mental activities include their level of intelligence quotient which should also be evaluated by doctors. Their medical fitness should also be evaluated . Some of them have medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. They should be examined to know how they would manage such conditions.

Some have some terminal diseases.President Muhammadu Buhari , who has gone for medical treatment in th United Kingdom, should have been ev aluated even before the 2015 Presidential election so that we would have known if he is fit for that position.



If Buhari had been evaluated ,we would have known whether or not he is medically fit for the office.Every elected political office holder must be certified by a medical practitioner before the person gets to the position he / she intends to occupy .


Political positions have an amount of stress on their own . So , those aspiring to occupy such offices should be certified fit before occupation.Not certifying them will cause a lot of things. Fo instance , President Buhari has abandoned some of the activities he should have engaged in for the nation. This is drawing the nnation backward.

For him not to be around for about 50 days has been affecting the nation. Even as we have an acting President, he will only be acting. There are some decisions which he cannot take and he must liaise with the President before taking them . All aspirants for elective political offices must be medically evaluated . From councillors, members of state and
national Houses of Assembly, governors and their deputies to the President and the Vice President; they should be medically evaluated before they are voted into office.

•Dr Sarumi
Olukunle (Chief Medical Director/
Chairman, Med Care Hospitals Limited,
Ilorin , Kwara State )


We should not ascribe to ourselves the power of our God all in the name of democracy . No one can predict the future on the basis of a man’ s health .This may also be far - reaching and giving in to the temptation of having an over burdened statute book , where everything is written just to satisfy crisis entrepreneurs that want to make a mess of our unity and peaceful coexistence .


In my view , the 1999 constitution has an existing legal framework that permits peaceful transition of power in the case of a vacuum, occasioned either by death or outright removal of an officer (either elected or appointed ) by any authority . This is the beauty of democracy and it goes a long way to test the maturity of every democratic experiment anywhere in the world.

The question of life and death is not necessarily an outcome of sickness or any particular ailment in the society and may have nothing to do with provision of good governance in any sane society. Nigerians should learn to channel their useful energy into useful
ventures like debates on how to move their country forward , improve on our existing structures and researches into fields that are proving difficult to bear positively on our national life as a people.


I think , it is absurd to turn the health status into a political narrative of a country where stable power supply,good medical care and standard education are still issues militating against the society. Succumbing to such will indirectly rob citizens of their rights to private life , which is a fundamental issue encapsulated in the Human Rights Act and other
international protocols on human rights .


Our participation in politics or any sphere of life should not become an albatross to our existence as globa citizens of the world at any point in time; rather , it should be seen as a vehicle to promote the advancement of the human race in line with time and
age . It is only in a corrupt setup that participation in politics is seen as good to the individual , and not service to humanity which makes this question
only relevant in the Nigerian project .


Finally, let me submit that politician like every other serious - minded Nigerian should embark on periodic medical checks as precautionary measures are key to healthy living as well as providing leadership at the family level. It is therefore the responsibility of everyone to make his/her health a priority before aspiring for a leadership position .

• Philip Agbese (Dean, Faculty Project NigeriaConference )

Issues relating to ill health of office holders are accidents of nature. It is
not in our statue books that aspirants must undergo any form of medical checks before contesting an election.The question now will be , what will be the extent of medical examination that you want to subject an aspirant to ?


Again, what is the limit to someone’s privacy that you are intruding into if you make such tests mandatory ?
At the time they were presenting themselves for elections, if no law prevents them from running for the position they are seeking , I think
aspirants should be allowed to run for elective offices. If you subject someone to a medical examination now , what says he wouldn ’ t develop a medical condition when he becomes elected?This move is not a full proof thing. So, I think we should not go there .


The problems facing Nigeria bother on
peoples ’ ethical standards and that
should be our worry. We should begin
to judge people by their ethical
standard and not medical condition.
Whether it is HIV or heart disease , you
could develop that in the course of
running a government . You could
develop hypertension while in office
and if poorly managed, it could result
to heart failure . I suggest that ethical
screening be carried out on aspirants
instead of medical examinations .
Politicians lie about their ages and
certificates and those should be issues
of concern. Aspirants ’ background
records should be properly verified .
Health is a gift in a way . No matter
what we say , we do not have that
supreme authority over it. You could
be well today and get sick tomorrow .


•Dr Ofem Enang, (Consultant Endocrinologist, University of Calabar
Teaching Hospital )
Medical evaluation should be made compulsory for aspirants . This is
necessary and should be encouraged to avoid quagmire. But the question is ,
would politicians be sincere ? The body
responsible for conducting elections in
Nigeria is the Independent National
Electoral Commission . Is the body
empowered to demand the health
status of aspirants as a condition for
screening them for elective offices?
The late President Umaru Yar ’Adua
became sick during the campaign for
2007 Presidential election and was
even flown abroad for treatment . He
was allowed to contest the election
and went ahead to win it. When he fell
sick in office , the manner his medical
status was shrouded in secrecy by his
handlers caused a lot of confusion in
the polity . That eventually led to the
enactment of “ doctrine of necessity. ”
I think the constitution has taken care
of our fears by saying the deputy
should take over in case of any
eventuality to the occupier of the
office. Anyone could fall sick at any
time. People die when they don ’t even
fall sick . In all, the decision at any
given time should lie with the people.


•Temitope Olaoye (An Ekiti -based dentist) Aspirants for political offices should go for full medical evaluation by a group of certified specialist medical doctors selected from across the nation. The
situation where no sooner a President is elected than he becomes a liability and a medical embarrassment to the nation is becoming unacceptable.f you are not healthy , you cannot perform. That medical evaluation has become inevitable ; it must be made compulsory for all who aspire .

•
Abdulkadir Abdulsalam (National
Chairman, Labour Party )

It will be good if Nigeria will make it compulsory for every political aspirant to undergo medical evaluation . In fact, it should not be restricted to only
political officers, but should include all aspiring public office holders .


This is because we would not want to be experiencing where our office holders brake down while on duty because of certain ailments they live with. A thorough medical evaluation will help reveal the health status of the individual contesting for a position .


It will help to provide early management for any person found to be ill . Health wise, some diseases are astigmatic; they come without symptoms. That health evaluation will be good to find out such diseases . It will also help the individual to know
his health status and begin to seek treatment in good time .

•Mr. Linus
Owhondah (A Port -Harcourt -based
Medical Laboratory scientist )

neoShinto:
How many times are these cannibals going to keep backpedaling

Today: Give us Biafra. Ab0ki's are illiterates, we can't live with them but we don't mind doing business in their regions. Af0njas are cowards, Awolowo killed over three million of our fellow cannibals, we can't live with Yorùbás.

North: Okay, pack your ghana-must-go bags and leave the North. However, this is going to be a peaceful evacuation. Be assured you'll be granted safe passage and no violence will be demonstrated against you

IPOB: Thanks to the NYF. The quit notice is going to hasten the actualization of Biafuro. Our fellow Nyamiri Osu slaves should start coming home and leave the North.

Biafuro Nairalanders: We give thanks to Chukwu Okike Abiama, our Utopia is almost here. All hail Biafra.

Bloggers: Let's circulate false pictures of a man leaving the North to encourage the rest

Igbo businessmen: Lamidi Kownu must be high on Ogbono soup laced with crystal meth. Are the Yorùbás and Hausas going to travel all the way to the East to patronize us? Is the dilector of comedy going to accomodate us in his father's 30 square meter compound?

IPOB: This plan is failing. Let's send our elders to go and kneel before Ango Abdullahi. Let us beg for unity

Lamidi Kownu: The Northerners already said there won't be any violence against us. But let's still write to the UN to play the victims like we always do.

Can you now see that these Osu slaves are confused clowns

_ 27th June 2017
By Zika Bobby

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Anambra State, Chief Modestus Umenzekwe said what Nigeria needs right now to make progress is unity.

Umenzekwe said the Igbo in the north can afford to abandon over N44 trillion investment to safeguard their lives and that of their loved ones.

“We are all Nigerians and Nigeria belongs to us all. At this period of our Nation’s life the president and acting president need our maximum support in order to build a Nigeria of our dream,” he said.

What is your reaction to the hree months ultimatum by northern youth coalition to Igbo to leave?

From time, the friendship between the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and the Sokoto Caliphate had been cordial.

The former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi, the grandfather to the present Emir, through that understanding, had ensured that Igbo were rightly treated. So, our relationship with the north didn’t start today.

One of the earliest hotels in the North, Universal Hotel Sokoto, was owned by late Chief Ogbunugafor from Nimo in Anambra State.

Okonkwo Kano from Umudim Nnewi, Chief Jideofor of Alor and Chief Onyido, the father of the present Igwe of Ogidi and Chief C.D. Jones Okpala of Akpo, a family friend to Alhaji Musa Gashash, the first Northern Nigerian minister of lands and many other individuals brought about the peaceful and cordial coalition between Ndigbo and north especially in Sokoto and Kano until the military took over. This is just to tell you that both Igbo and their northern host have lived well in the past. So for a group to now come out to say leave, is really disheartening.

For a group, who probably do not know the history of this age long relationship, to now feel there should be an expiration date and decided to issue Igbo quit notice is truly disgusting. If you say Igbo should leave, it is a blessing in disguise. Igbo are capable of building their homes to be greater than what they built outside their homes. It is most unfortunate that these happenings are taking place when President Muhammadu Buhari is not in the country.

The childhood relationship between President Buhari and late Owelle Chuma Bamidele Azikwe cannot be overemphasized and that is why it is important for the president to return hale and hearty to Nigeria before Igbo will start relocating from the North.

Igbo have never been hostile to their host. The first International Hotel in Maiduguri was built by an Igbo man, the late Chief Mbonu from Nawfia. All these things notwithstanding, Igbo will leave before the date expires.

Nigerians and the world should note that Igbo have assets totaling over M40 trillion in the North, but that will never stop us from going if push turns to shove.

Would you say Ndigbo have had a fair deal under the Buhari administration?

It is always said by the Igbo that Buhari does not like us and as such doesn’t want us in his government. I don’t agree.

Buhari is one of Nigeria’s leaders that has demonstrated true love for Igbo. In 1984 he made an Igbo man, Chief Chike Ofodile his Attorney General and during that time Buhari has been exposed as an incorruptible leader Nigeria has ever had.

It was during this period that so many changes were made both in the Judiciary and social sectors for the good of the country.

In Buhari’s first attempt in becoming president, an Igbo man in the person of Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, former speaker in the Federal House of Representatives was his running mate.

In his second attempt, the late Chuba Okadigbo, former President of the Senate was his running mate.

To further demonstrate his friendly relationship with the Igbo, Buhari engaged the services of the revered Igbo legal Icon, Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN, as his Principal Counsel before his swearing in as the President in 2015. This definitely does not look like someone who hates Igbo.

Remember that even Acting President Yemi Osinbajo was accused of giving juicy federal appointment to his kinsmen. This is not true because Professor Osinbajo is a pragmatic leader who understands the law of federal character.

How do thing the forthcoming Anambra guber election would go?

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge victorious in the November governorship election. It is sealed already because the people have made up their mind.

Look at the security situation in Anambra State. It had almost collapsed because the act of kidnapping, armed robbery, killing of security operatives by hoodlums and other vices are now on the increase. Everything has collapsed under this government and the people deserve better.[

...says FG should oversee foreign policy, defence, economy



Civil War was preceded and started by intolerance and a series of hate pronouncements, hate speeches, hate conducts and actions that were inflicted upon one another by the citizens. There is nothing romantic about war; in any form, war is bad, condemnable and must be avoided –Ibrahim Babangida





Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday, threw his weight behind the call for restructuring of the country, saying it is has become a national appeal, whose time has come.

He also called for devolution of powers to give more responsibilities to the state as well as state police.
He warned against the consequences of war, citing the effects of the devastating Nigerian Civil War, which he said lingers till date.
Babangida, who was reacting to the tension in the country over hate speeches emanating from different quarters, said there is nothing romantic about war and must be avoided.


The warning was contained in his statement entitled: “I am a Nigerian.”
He added that it is an inalienable fact that Nigerians can live in any part of the country to pursue their legitimate aspirations and warned against demolishing the foundation of nationhood because Nigeria is yet to realise her potential.


He said: “That we have not fully realised our potentials as a great nation is not enough reason for us to want to demolish the foundation of our nationhood or rubbish the labours of our heroes past; both of which are borne out of our collective efforts to build a truly great nation, and great people.


“If we have repeatedly done certain things and not getting the desired results, we need to change tactics and approach, and renew our commitment. It is our collective responsibilities to engender a reform that would be realistic and in sync with modern best practices.


“For example, restructuring has become a national appeal as we speak, whose time has come. I will strongly advocate for devolution of powers to the extent that more responsibilities be given to the states while the Federal Government is vested with the responsibility to oversee our foreign policy, defence, and economy. Even the idea of having federal roads in towns and cities has become outdated and urgently needs revisiting. That means we need to tinker with our constitution to accommodate new thoughts that will strengthen our nationality.


“Restructuring and devolution of powers will certainly not provide all the answers to our developmental challenges; it will help to reposition our mindset as we generate new ideas and initiatives that would make our union worthwhile. The talk to have the country restructured means that Nigerians are agreed on our unity in diversity; but that we should strengthen our structures to make the union more functional based on our comparative advantages.


“Added to this desire is the need to commence the process of having State Police across the states of the federation. This idea was contained in my manifesto in 2010 when I attempted to contest the presidential elections. The initial fears that state governors will misuse the officers and men of the State Police have become increasingly eliminated with renewed vigour in citizens’ participation in, and confidence to interrogate power.
“We cannot be detained by those fears and allow civilization to leave us behind. We must, as a people with one destiny and common agenda, take decisions for the sake of posterity in our shared commitment to launch our country on the path of development and growth. Policing has become so sophisticated that we cannot continue to operate our old methods and expect different results.”


Babangida said there was nothing romantic about war and must be avoided.
His words: “The most tragic and horrendous episode in Nigeria’s history has been the 30-month Civil War of July 1967 to January 1970, in which many of our compatriots lost their lives. Indeed,many others also suffered terrible injuries of human and material dimensions.


“So, who really wants to go through the depth and dimensions of another Civil War in Nigeria again? Who does not know that that Civil War was preceded and started by intolerance and a series of hate pronouncements, hate speeches, hate conducts and actions that were inflicted upon one another by the citizens? Today, with a deep sense of nostalgia, I still carry within my body the pains of injury from the Civil War: there is nothing romantic about war; in any form, war is bad, condemnable and must be avoided.


“I need hardly say I am very worried by the current on-going altercations and vituperations of hate across the country by individuals, well-known leaders, religious leaders, group of persons and organisations. We need to remind ourselves that conflicts are not evidently the stuff of politics and governance, particularly so of democracy, hence we must apply caution in our utterances, body language and news reportage.


“The management of conflicts is the acid test of maturity, of mutual livelihood and of democratic governance. We cannot and we must not allow the current hate atmosphere to continue to freely pollute our political landscape unchecked. Personally, I reject the proceedings of hate and their dissemination and urge my fellow citizens to strongly condemn the scourge and orgy of the current crisis which, in my view, is an outcome of vengeful appetites within the multiple contexts of our democratic governance and the profound inequalities that have distorted our social relations.”


Babangida also warned on the dangers of disintegration, and admonished Nigerians to see strength, determination, commitment and confidence in their diversities rather than adversities.
He said that nations are driven by a common ideal and not by the homogeneity of their race.


His words: “As a heterogeneous country with flourishing skills and numerous endowments, we should dictate the pace in Africa and lead by example of what is possible amongst a people that are focused and determined to pursue common national goal. As a former Military President, who had the rare privilege to travel around Africa to sustain the African cooperation through peace-keeping operations, I have come to the conclusion that nations are driven by a common ideal and not by the homogeneity of their race.
“I saw Somalia, such a homogeneous conclave, yet one of the most troubled countries in Africa today. I saw South Sudan, which broke away from the old Sudan, but peace and stability have eluded them. Rwanda genocidal experience is not romantic either. But a President from the minority ethnic group has repositioned the country to assume its pride of place in the comity of nations.
“That a people share common identity, language, history, doctrine, culture, mores and values is not synonymous with development, growth, stability and peace. When we went into peace-keeping operations in Sierra Leone, Somalia, Liberia and Congo, we had in mind to sustain oneness in Africa even though we are a continent of different countries all bearing different logos and identities. Our motivation was simply that we are Africans.


“I am, therefore, appealing to the sensibilities of all of us, young and old, leaders and followers, groups and organisations, that in the interest of peace and stability of our country, we need to sheathe the sword. At 76, I have seen it all. I have seen war. I have fought war. And I have survived war, even though I still suffer the pains and injuries of war, it is part of the selfless sacrifice to keep the union afloat. We must build a country that is forward looking for our children and future generations of Nigerians.

“We cannot afford to toil with the destinies of the 170 million Nigerians by the shape of our discourse and the content of our interaction. We must carry out conscious attitudinal orientation that will change the mindset of our youths and the held beliefs of the elderly. We must explore the therapies of dialogue and constructive engagements in our desire to make life more meaningful for our people.”
He appealed to the Nigeria media to be more circumspect in their news reportage. According to him, the media should always weigh the security implications of the contents of their news and the screaming headlines, especially at this fragile period of the nation’s political emanations.


“The media play an important and remarkable role in shaping the flow of discourse. Their level of influence is also not in doubt, but as the fourth estate of the realm, it has a greater responsibility to moderate public discourse in a manner that will cement inter- and intra-cultural relationships. If Nigeria works, it benefits all her citizens; if it fails, it hurts all her citizens too. The media should be patriotic in its present engagements to berth a new Nigeria of our dreams,” Babangida.

I only want you to stay to sustain the checks and balances of this hegemonic order.

We, and I include you too, have neither access to decent hospitals nor schools, neither good network of roads nor security.

...my dear friends from the South, it’s not untrue that I do not want you to leave. But it’s not for your resources. Having assessed the welfare of my people, it’s sad to declare that these natural resources are inessential to us… I only want you to stay to sustain the checks and balances of this hegemonic order.

A few days ago, a friend asked me to explain my aversion for the idea of secession as championed by the neo-Biafran advocates of South-East Nigeria. He had assumed it was the fear, as simplified in a certain series of propaganda, of the North’s foreseen inability to sustain itself economically, post-breakup.

Since it was a private conversation, I elected to present my actual reasons bit by bit, some of which I can’t express in public, and offered him a mirror which, when we were done, reflected a possibility that scared him too.

He saw that I was afraid of the break-up for the very reason a part of Nigeria seeks to leave. For cultural hegemony. This calculated domination of our diverse society by the elite using ethnicity, religion and all the binary identities, sentiments, affiliations and values available, to hold on to power, and to forestall criticism of them and the revolt of the masses.

How has cultural hegemony held Nigeria together? The reason Nigeria hasn’t degenerated into full-blown autocratic regime is because of these conflicting cultural hegemonies that exist like a tripartite coalition government – an ethnic arrangement that restricts the tyranny of the three parts, the “Hausa-Fulani,” the Igbo and Yoruba. And as a diarchy constituted by the “Muslim North” and “Christian South.”

So, yes, there’s a mechanism of checks and balances of cultural hegemony as Nigeria stands today, along the ethnic lines of these three dominating ethnic groups, as there is along the lines of Islam and Christianity. This multiculturalism is, in my estimation, our most undermined stabilising factor.

What happens after the breakup? I’ll address the question of the struggle for power in the North instead, even though this danger of political monolithism applies to the other two ethnic nationalities and geography. The region’s cultural hegemony, which the federating South has tackled, albeit not successfully, levers around Islam and the so-called “Hausa-Fulani” super-group.

A dissolution of this religious diarchy or ethnic tripartite government means, in Northern Nigeria, an unrestricted evolution of this cultural hegemony. The masses left deprived for too long and denied privileges of quality education are ever around to serve as willing foot-soldiers of perpetual manipulations that only serve as conduits to political power and relevance.

This arrangement favours characters like Senator Ahmed Yerima of Zamfara state, who as governor introduced a gimmick he called Sharia simply to protect his political capitals. His friends, realising the success of such arrangement in building and sustaining a political force with financial aid pouring in from oil-rich Arab nations, joined him in that smokescreen to enrich themselves. Some of them are parties to pending cases of corruption at the court or are still under the radar of our anti-corruption agencies.



What saved Nigeria then was the existence of a member of another cultural hegemony, a Christian and Yoruba from the political South, as head of the national government. He was not only opposed to the northern political chessboard that was alienating him, but was challenged to protect the interests of the Christian, the Yoruba, the Southern and, very importantly, the minorities, in the political “coalitiin".


The Yerimas of Northern Nigeria may be local champions now, but the moment their allies from other cultural hegemonies withdraw, a new order of tyrannical rule, in connivance with religious clerics and socio-cultural “ambassadors,” will manifest. And there won’t be a balancing part to protect the minorities in this outright distortion and manipulation of Islamic jurisprudence, an Islamo-fascism, to institutionalise oppression and enable corruption. One can only imagine the extent of its devastations, with personality cults forming around some ascetic criminals.

I think this fear explains the convergence of some self-elected leaders of northern “minorities” who, calling themselves “Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum,” met last week in Abuja to debate their place and prospects in Nigeria, now and later. It’s not a coincidence that the Professor Jerry Gana-led gathering was dominated by Christians (and “other minorities”) out of political offices, and gasping for attention.

As a Muslim, there’s nothing that scares me like an attempt to police my private morality in a secular political arrangement, especially when it does not evaluate and redeem the pseudo-religious Police. It’s fascism manifesting, and I’ll rather die fighting it than be consumed in silence.

So, my dear friends from the South, it’s not untrue that I do not want you to leave. But it’s not for your resources. Having assessed the welfare of my people, it’s sad to declare that these natural resources are inessential to us. We, and I include you too, have neither access to decent hospitals nor schools, neither good network of roads nor security. I only want you to stay to sustain the checks and balances of this hegemonic order. May God save us from us!

soberdrunk:
I need to see a 'full' picture of the '16 year old' before i say anything because some '16 year olds' nowadays have 'high mileage' and be looking older than their mother, she might have even told the man a different age so let us not be quick to condemn and [b]If to say una give the girl 'proper home training'[/b]she wont be 'adult dose' at her young age......

DieBuhari:
The man has a 16 year old prostitute for a sister.
How is he even sure the girl was a virgin when the doctor met her? She wasn't even a patient or something, he met her on the road!

Naijiant:
How can IPOB talk about crooked elections and criminal politics as Kanu is mixing with Orji Uzor Kalu, FFK and co?

Chikeluba25:
Kanu is acting like an Illiterate. This is not how ebucated ppl act

KahlDrogo:
The cow-ard is beginning to backpedal like Hoe-jew-kwu.

Soon he'd become a "gambari slave" as well.

Ddaji:
This message is to his illiterate members,albino now retreat because of kaduna declaration, thanks northerners for formatting his brain to factory setting

989900:
Kanu should be in some psychiatric home -- dude is obviously mentally unstable.

Hopeful20100:


Disgusting...this Afonja went and shiit in plate to compare it with a food. Meehn, you people! I don't think you will ever find a shiit in plate online except that this afonja did it himself because they are known for shiiting in nylon bag in the parlour/living room; so was easy for him to do it. If you are not careful if youare in Ogbomosho, you might have a nylon bag filled with shit flinged to your face as they fling it like manna from heaven.

Decypher:
what a coagulation of vile stupidity, if stupidity was power you would have been a god by now!

"Hausa-Fulanis will get a dose of
their senseless attacks and stupidity back.”

June 26,2017

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday warned that if any Igbo is killed in the North as a result of the quit notice issued by Arewa youths, “Hausa-Fulanis will get a dose of their senseless attacks and stupidity back.”

IPOB, while issuing the threat warned the North that, “Biafrans of today are not the same breed as those they massacred in 1967 and 1970 at will, without retaliation.”

The pro-Biafra group also cautioned Arewa youths, saying they should be more civil in their utterances because “threats and intimidation do not work with IPOB.”

This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful and sent to DAILY POST.

IPOB also lashed out at the Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso for asking Igbo leaders to publicly denounce the secession struggle.

Kwankwaso had over the weekend asked leaders of the South East to denounce those clamouring for Biafra in a bid to show sincerity to Nigeria’s unity.

Reacting to Kwankwaso’s call, IPOB in the statement said no Igbo leader allegedly “handpicked by Hausa-Fulanis in Aso Rock” can stop its struggle for secession.

Read full statement below…

“The Indigenous People of Biafra has berated former Governor Kwankwaso of Kano state for asking Igbo leaders to disown Biafra agitators and campaigners to show sincerity to Nigeria unity, as if the so called Igbo leaders feels can influence the activities and leadership of Biafra agitators like IPOB.

“We condemn the statement credited to Kwankwaso that he does not understand the working, what IPOB stands for, including its agitation for the restoration of Biafra.

“IPOB and its leadership worldwide led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not working with the so called Igbo leaders, we believe that IPOB quest for restoration of Biafra are not for everyone who does not believe freedom and we are ready to work with anybody who is sincere and not those who sabotage the struggle for their selfish gain and even if they, so called Igbo leaders hand picked by Kwankaso and his fulanis in Aso rock disown IPOB and other Biafra agitating group, it will not stop the activities and determination of IPOB to achieve Biafra restoration.



“IPOB is a mass movement and they are more than all the so called political leaders in Nigeria put together because it is God ordained project, just as it is more than Kwankwaso and the people he and his cohorts are sponsoring against Biafrans of Igbo extraction in the North, but we pity them because they do not know that Biafrans of today are not the same breed as those they massacred in 1967 and 1970 at will without retaliation.

“If they try the same nonsense today they will get a dose of their senseless attacks and stupidity back. Britain should take note of the war mongering by Arewa Northern Nigeria and caution them to be more civilised in their utterances because threats and intimidation does not work with IPOB.

“Is Kwankwaso bereft of the fact and knowledge of what his so called Igbo leaders did when Gov. Willie Obiano supervised the slaughter of over 800 unarmed innocent IPOB members that attended remembrance event at Nkpor in 2016.

“Kwankwaso should be made to understand that those his Igbo leaders he is hoping to call upon to destabilise IPOB no longer matter in the society as they are the ones causing the delay in the restoration of Biafra because of their sabotage.

“We in IPOB do not care if anybody or hired group from anywhere in Nigeria, disown us, our focus is on Biafra restoration. In as much as our leader and Director of Radio Biafra and Biafra Television Mazi Nnamdi Kanu respects genuine Igbo leaders, he does not care what name the few Hausa Fulani errand boys in Igboland call him.

“He only does what IPOB requires of him to do. Our leader is focused, determined and unyielding in his quest to achieve Biafra and nothing will make him and all of us to change our mind not even the threat by the savage blood thirsty Northern youths against Biafrans living in the North will make us change our mind.

“Kwankwaso has just revealed to us by his statement that he is one of the numerous Northern elders sponsoring their poorly educated youths against Biafrans residing in the North and we will not tell them what will happen until any Igbo man or any other Biafran for that matter is killed as a result of their quit notice.”