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Re: “Indulging the North”

December 2, 2009
Re: “Indulging the North” By M J Doko [email protected] I read Mr. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu’s piece on the above on a sad note and wish to respond accordingly. My response, is not in any way countering his position, rather it is an attempt to deconstruct our mindsets on regional turf protection and in the process advocate for the right kind of outlook that will bring about the form of Nigeria that we all aspire to see. I am of the strong conviction that Mr. Uzor’s article was informed by his desire to see a united and prosperous Nigeria led by men of principle and virtue. If I be right in that respect, I wish to respond to his write up thus: It's rather unfortunate that there are no other means of political categorization left in Nigeria, except for this North, South, and East thing; else I would have advised that Mr. Uzor drop his views. In other climes, ideology, codes, ability or other factors that brings about general development guides political classification and affinity. I am a northern, and I don't ascribe to politics of regions or collective security, that is detrimental to Nigeria as a nation. I am also sure that many Nigerians hold this view. Rather than uniting to fight these rotten eggs that have kept us in a perpetual state of lack, we dissipate energies in fighting each other about where the president should come from. Ask an average Northern today what they have benefited from Yar'adua been the president of Nigeria? Am sure you know the answer, since you also alluded to it in your write up. The same sordid tale will play out when the seat moves to other regions, so far as it is within the same gang that are currently hyping about it, be they from the North or South. I am not in any way saying that the north should monopolize the seat; my position is that the seat should be occupied only by men/women of merit and industry required to run it, regardless of where they come from. You may be aware, Mr. Uzor, that regional politics is only played by the likes of you and me, who benefit nothing from it, except been mere pawns in the Politician's chess game, to be used and dumped, and in most cases set up against each other. While we are busy fighting each other they quietly, in the cover of the night ride on our wealth, eat Isi-Ewu or suya together while laughing at us. Because top there, they are united politicians, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Nupe, Efik or Tiv. They don’t have regional barriers, they think alike, talk alike and sometimes even sleep together. Let us unite and bury our regional hatchet. It matters not where a leader comes from, as long as he/she is there to serve the people, be they northern or eastern. We have suffered so much and for too long under this primordial regional affinity that is taking us no where, except to our graves. By the way, I love your lucid argument on the hallow nature of the constitution and the need for it to be upheld as such. Those clamouring for Jonathan's resignation must come to such table with clean hands. Why are they asking for his resignation at this time? if it is to pave way for another gang member from the north, let us rise to resist it.

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