Many argue that the apparent demise of the newly independent state called Nigeria in 1967 began with the declaration of a state of emergency in the Western region by the Balewa-led federal government of Nigeria in 1962 over the crisis in the legislative Assembly of Western Nigeria.
The circumstances surrounding the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state presently by the Tinubu-led federal government of Nigeria is somewhat similar to what Chief Obafemi Awolowo alleged to have motivated Balewa’s action in 1962. Awolowo had argued on the floor of the Nigerian parliament in 1962 that the “unwarranted” declaration of state of emergency in Western Nigeria by the Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa was motivated by his desire to save his close political ally and Premier of Western Nigeria, Ladoke Akintola who was locked in a bitter struggle with Awolowo over the control of Nigeria’s Western region.
Today, it is alleged that the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu is motivated by his desire to save his close political ally and Minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesom Wike who is currently locked in a protracted battle with Rivers state Governor, Siminalaye Fubara over the control of the oil rich state.
However, prominent political science scholars and public affairs commentators in Nigeria are unanimous in their assertion that the 1962 declaration of state of emergency in Western Nigeria by Balewa’s federal government was the remote cause of the crisis that engulfed the newly independent country, which eventually led to the January 1966 mutiny by young military officers and the death of senior government officials including the Prime Minister. The July 1966 military coupe d’état that led to the death of the first military head of state, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi, amongst others, as well as the horrific pogrom against elements of Eastern Nigeria and Ndigbo in particular; the genocidal civil war against Ndigbo and Eastern Nigeria, and the consequent failure of the Nigerian state in 1967.
Now, the pertinent questions are:
Will the current attempt by the Tinubu federal government ‘to capture’ Rivers state backfire like the attempt by the Balewa federal government to capture the Western region in 1962?
Is it possible that this ugly history can be repeated without the forceful disintegration of Nigeria?
Is the predicted outcome of the Tinubu government in Nigeria about to become reality?
Will all lovers of peace and humanity locally and internationally prevail on the Tinubu government to do the needful in order to avert unnecessary bloodshed, hunger, devastation, or war in a Nigerian state already in comatose?
What is the needful at this time?
And I hasten to advise again:
1. Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately from illegal detention as ordered by the courts of law in Nigeria.
2. Discard the fake 1999 military constitution of Nigeria and peacefully renegotiate the Nigerian state.
3. Peacefully restructure the country along the spirit and principles of the only authentic 1963 constitution of the federal republic.
4. Where the options 1-3 become impossible, immediately organize a peaceful referendum to determine the unity of the Nigerian state.
Charles Obinna Chukwunaru, PhD
President,
Eastern Nigeria Development Association
(ENDA).
I think presıdent Tınubu has committed ımpeachablě offense for violatıng the constıtution of Nıgeria and also has let the world knows that Nigeria politic is selfish and not to give hope to their citizen.