Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo globally, recently shed light on the historical roots of secessionist sentiments in Nigeria. In an interview with The Sun, Iwuanyanwu stated that the concept of secession initially emerged in the North even before Nigeria gained independence.
According to Iwanyanwu, during the deliberations over merging the Northern and Southern protectorates, the North leaned towards the idea of establishing a separate nation for themselves rather than uniting with the South. This divergence in vision posed a significant challenge to the nascent efforts towards national unity. It was through the persistent advocacy of leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and other nationalists that the concept of a unified Nigeria gradually gained traction and acceptance.
Iwanyanwu emphasized the importance of historical awareness in understanding Nigeria's socio-political landscape. He lamented that many Nigerians tend to overlook or forget these crucial historical events, which are essential for comprehending the complexities of the country's unity and diversity.
While highlighting the early origins of secessionist tendencies in the North, Iwanyanwu pointed out that this historical context is critical for appreciating the challenges faced by Nigeria in forging a cohesive national identity. The initial inclination towards separate statehood by Northern leaders posed a formidable obstacle to the aspirations of those advocating for a united Nigeria.
He recalled how leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe played pivotal roles in persuading their Northern counterparts of the benefits of national unity. Their efforts were instrumental in bridging the ideological divide and laying the groundwork for Nigeria's eventual independence as a unified nation. He underscored the significance of learning from history to navigate present-day challenges and to strengthen Nigeria's unity amidst various socio-political complexities.
According to him, "Let me take you down memory lane, the issue here is that Nigerians are so forgetful, but we need to make them realize the need to recall past events. I want to tell you that the call for secession began in the North pre-independence of Nigeria. At that time the call for amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates was proposed, but the North opted to carve out a nation for the North. But it took Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and other nationalists time to convince them of one indivisible Nigeria."