Nigeria...

‎​THE NORTH AND THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF NIGERIA
“Federal Nigeria has never since her independence shown the distinctive mark of a united nation. It has been impossible for her to silence tribal rivalries –to achieve that mixture of ethnic /cultural blend required to forge National Unity”---Francois Duvalier, then President of Haiti, March 22, 1969.The above quotation is a time honoured statement that aptly describes Nigeria since 1947 till date. 
If it is from the hearts over-flow that the mouth speaks, I invite the reader to listen to the words of “Our hero’s past” whose labours (we sing), shall never be in vain. 
In 1952, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa addressed the Northern House of Assembly thus “
The Southern people who are swamping into this region daily in such large numbers are really intruders; we don’t want them and they are not welcome here in the North. Since 1914, the British Government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country. But the people are different in every way, including religion, custom, language and aspirations…….. we in the North take it that Nigeria unity is only a British intention for the country they created. IT IS NOT FOR US”. 
In the same year, Sir Ahmadu Bello approached the Colonial Secretary and said “
If you want us (the North) to be part of this Nigeria you have in mind, then we want 50% of the membership of the National Assembly”. 
It was accepted by the British and the 1953 census figures were manipulatedto justify the concession given. With majority in the National Assembly, whatever the North says becomes law---of course the ever vulnerable South-East and South-South people(the only true Nigerians) would always be used(willingly) to ensure the North is happy. 
When in 1956 after the Northerners defeated the motion for independence moved by Chief Anthony Enahoro and were jeered by their Southern colleagues, Sir Ahmadu Bello said “ 
what kind of trouble have we let ourselves in for, by associating with these southern people. ‎​All of these mayhem, killings, secession, and civil war were just because the Fulani leaders of the North were not happy and they must be pleased. 
So it was in the beginning and so it is now. Nothing has changed. 
On the 15
th of September 2010, the same day President Goodluck Jonathan declared his intention to seek the mandate of his party and Nigerians to steer the ship of state for an additional four years, a group described as the Northern Elders Forum/Assembly, took an advertorial in a National daily addressed to the President and Commander-in-Chief, captioned “As you declare”. They proceeded to threaten him. The “Great” Elders who signed that advertorial were mostly National awardees who claimed to be 
“honest, dispassionate and deeply care about the continued existence of Nigeria as one indivisible, harmonious and peaceful country”.The “Great” Elders saw President GEJ’s declaration as 
“ill-conceived, ill-advised and definitely divisive”. That for GEJ to declare on the platform of PDP (a Northern party?) heralds a 
“clear and present danger that wouldundermine the peace and tranquillity of the nation”. That GEJ’s candidature
“would open old wounds of primitive politics where sectional ethnic, religious and other undesirable primordial sentiments will assume center stage with attendant unpleasant consequences”.