GOODLUCK Jonathan, former Nigerian President, has stated that Niger Deltans will not subscribe to the Biafran Nation because of fear of subjugation.
Jonathan, who delivered a lecture on Sunday at Texas, United States (US), said that the Niger Deltans will remain indivisible with Nigeria than joining forces with Biafrans in splitting the country.
The former Nigerian President highlighted some reasons for his position such the leadership, capital of the proposed nation, language and fear of annexation.
Jonathan pointed out that Biafra may not be better for Niger Deltans, because Niger Deltans may end up leaving one form of subjugation for another, stressing that the argument Igbos have made for their freedom is the desire to be free from Hausa-Yoruba domination.
According to Jonathan, “That argument also applies to the average Niger Deltan. Igbo, no doubt, will be the major ethnic group if Biafra is actualised. Ijaws may have a stake due to their numbers. What about the Ogonis, Urhobo-Isokos, Itsekiris, Efiks, etc?
“Where will they fit in at the national level? The sad reality is that another Nigeria will just be made manifest and resentments will build up. What will really be the fate of minorities?
“Will they fare better in Biafra or alone? In Nigeria, big groups such as Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo checkmate each other’s excesses very well. Who will checkmate that of Igbos in the new nation?
“Where will the capital be located? If we are to follow the notion of central location, the capital of Biafra won’t be Enugu but around Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene axis. Will Igbos allow their capital to be sited in a non-Igbo location?
“So how and why were they included in the proposed map? Little things like this bring distrust and I understand that many of these non-Igbo regions have disowned the map and pledged allegiance to Nigeria. The declaration by the Delta State government is a case in point.
“I see this as forceful annexation. The so-called e-Biafrans have also not done much in calming the nerves of the people of the annexed regions. I’ve seen comments such as “if you don’t like it, go and stay in Sokoto”, “all land in the South is Biafraland”, etc. Is it not ironic that a group of people who want freedom want to annexe others?
“What languages will be made the official languages of the new nation? I have seen several posts by e-Biafrans where Igbo was proposed as the official language of the new republic. What then will happen to other languages such as Urhobo, Isoko, Okpe, Efik, Ibibio, Oron, Ogoni, Eleme, Okrika, Kalabari, Bini, Esan, etc?
“Will they die off because of Igbo? Certainly not! If English is made the official language, the Igbo majority factor will kick in. If your name isn’t Chukwuemeka or Oliseh, Amarachi or Nneka, etc, you won’t get any appointment nor shall you be recognised. These are things we can’t deny. We are very ethnocentric in Africa.
Speaking further, the former President asked what have Igbo nation done for Niger Deltans to gain their trust?, noting that every day, he see Igbo youths making enemies where there were none.
Jonathan added, “They constantly use the agency of the internet to sprout controversy, hurl insults at dissenters and make unfounded claims.
“There is this general air of mistrust for Igbos by some Niger Deltans, particularly by Urhobo-Isoko and Bini people. What have Igbos done to checkmate this? Has any Igbo leader or group extended the hand of friendship to the Niger Deltans.
“Mistrust cannot be wished away. Most Niger Deltans would rather follow Hausas as slaves than follow Igbos as kings. This is the real reality and truthfully, Igbos caused this.
“Who will lead the new nation? Obviously, Nnamdi Kanu, their hero, has fought tooth and nails for Biafra and he is currently cooling off in jail. If Biafra comes today, who will be the interim leader and what modalities are in place for subsequent leaders to be elected?
“If we argue that new and younger leaders will arise, we still have the issue of who fought for Biafra to contend with.
“Most pro-Biafrans will not allow someone who sat at the periphery of the struggle to just come and waltz power away from the “heroes” of Biafra. If this is true then we will not have a proper democracy in Biafra.”