In the Heat of Agitations: October 1st

 As October 1st draws closer, many people have planned how to hide where they are in the north or east awaiting the threats to see how it plays out!

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Many of us are making irrational decisions based on the issue of Biafra agitation and the Arewa forum response, either encouraged by sentiments or religion divide. I remember speaking to an Ibo lady and she told me that a lot of Ibos were killed in the north and that they, Northerners, through the herdsmen are invading their towns to kill them. 

I saw from her response that she spoke from the belief system fed by media gossips and now believe that the north are their worst enemies and that a division was necessary. She also told me that the north has been dominating in governance since independence and the Ibos are marginalized. In about ten minutes that our conversation lasted, I noticed how clouded she was and could not see the truth and reality. 

Watching the video released by the Arewa youth forum, I saw another angle. It became clear that both sides are clouded from the truth if the Ibo lady’s view represented the Biafra agitation. I sat to wonder why after all this years we, especially the youth have not learnt how the leaders institute problems for them to continue their wickedness against the masses.

 In January 5th 2012 at the peak of the fuel subsidy crisis, the Christians in Kano formed guards for their Muslims Brothers while they observe their holy prayer. That was new and a positive development in the history of Nigeria considering the fact that there was nothing of that kind before then. It was the #OccupyNigeria Protest which witnessed a large number of protesters calling for the reversal of the Goodluck Jonathan Led Government over Fuel Subsidy.

 The Muslims community was also on ground to escort the Christians to their place of worship so as to protect them against any form of attack. This was not even up to a year after the 2011 Presidential election result caused an array of sectarian killings in the North including Kano State. This shows that Nigerians, especially the youths could leave their differences and unite for a common ground. Though the victory of the protest was hijacked, it is certain and worthy of note that unity brings accountability as the protest raised momentum in other states of the federation.   

What has gone wrong?