WHY CAN'T THE YORUBA'S MAKE UP THEIR MINDS?
By Okonkwo Isaac Somto
For Family Writers
Before and after the 1967 Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Yoruba's have been "One foot in, One foot out" of Nigeria. The Yoruba's talk about how they are fed-up of the situation in Nigeria and want to have their own separate Oduduwa Nation. They talk about how they are tired of the corrupt Nigeria government and desire something different for the country. They talk about how much they dislike and hate the Igbo-Biafrans and want them out of their lands. They also talk about how they support Biafra and wouldn't mind to apply for a Biafra citizenship when actualized. Honestly am beginning to get tensed up whenever I listen to different views and opinions the Yoruba's bring to the table when they talk about the issues going on in Nigeria and also their biased attributions about the Igbo-Biafrans. Again they voiced out why Nigeria shouldn't let Biafrans go because it won't work. They keep saying this and keep saying that. How they like this and don't like that. Why this should be and why it shouldn't. Too much talks, no action, It’s high time the Yoruba's come out clean and say what they really want. How long do they intend to keep hiding and pretending? They play the America game, always in the middle, supporting both sides but only interested in themselves.
They act as if they like the Igbo-Biafrans but on the other hand they hate and jealous them. They come out publicly to say they want "One Nigeria" but behind closed doors, they show so much anger, resentment towards the country and also talk about building Oduduwa Nation. Yoruba's are always in between. You don't know if they are for you or against you. They show you support when it’s convenient but push you aside when it’s not favourable. Am not condemning the Yoruba's, just debunking what they have been exhibiting.
Take the issue of Obafemi Awolowo, yes to the Yoruba's he's their hero but the Igbo-Biafrans cannot forget what he did to them during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war. How he betrayed Biafra and engineered the death of over 2million children through starvation. Yoruba's keep saying they didn't support the war and the killings of over 3.5million Biafrans during the civil war but why didn't they voice out when it mattered. How can you tell me you love me but when you have the chance to save me from harm, you desert me? Why entrap and falsify others? It’s high time the Yoruba's either come out openly to declare where they stand instead of swindling and their hypocriticalness to stand for justice and equity, when only what they are after is just their own hoggish benefits. Yoruba's, you claim to love the Igbo-Biafrans but how many of you have splashed the Igbo's with the same love they have array to you, in your lands and interactions? How many of you Yoruba's can sincerely say you truly love and cherish the Igbo-Biafrans and that's why you don't want them to break away from Nigeria? Tell me you are not scared of what would be left of Nigeria when Biafrans breakout? For once you all should tell yourselves the truth and stand by the truth.
How long do the Yoruba's want to keep placing parochial sentiment above ideology and principle? How long? Even the "Great and Beloved" Awolowo showed how illusive, crafty and unreliable the Yoruba's can be when trusted. Always in the midpoint and not on anyone's side. They will support both you and your enemy. Awolowo during the civil war declared that if the East was allowed to secede as a result of acts of omission or commission, he would also lead the West into secession. He gave a go ahead for Igbo secession. But when the East seceded, Awolowo failed to mobilise the West and tally along. Not only did the West not join the East in secession, it joined the North in fighting against the East. Awolowo then became the Commissioner of Finance and Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council of the Nigerian government that prosecuted the war against Biafran secession.
“It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface atleast, nothing wrong with those aspirations. “However, Awolowo saw the dominant Igbo at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity arose the Nigeria-Biafra War his ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. “In the Biafran case, it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.”--Chinua Achebe.
I think it’s time the Yoruba's admit the bitter truth that Nigeria can never work and saying "One Nigeria" is just one of those things you say to yourselves to sleep better at night. How long do you intend to keep remaining in the hub and always allowing circumstances to keep deciding your fate? Don't you think it’s time to acknowledge the unvarnished truth about Nigeria and quit been wrapped up in yourselves. What side are you on? Clog to a side and avoid been troublemakers.
By Okonkwo Isaac Somto
For Family Writers
Before and after the 1967 Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Yoruba's have been "One foot in, One foot out" of Nigeria. The Yoruba's talk about how they are fed-up of the situation in Nigeria and want to have their own separate Oduduwa Nation. They talk about how they are tired of the corrupt Nigeria government and desire something different for the country. They talk about how much they dislike and hate the Igbo-Biafrans and want them out of their lands. They also talk about how they support Biafra and wouldn't mind to apply for a Biafra citizenship when actualized. Honestly am beginning to get tensed up whenever I listen to different views and opinions the Yoruba's bring to the table when they talk about the issues going on in Nigeria and also their biased attributions about the Igbo-Biafrans. Again they voiced out why Nigeria shouldn't let Biafrans go because it won't work. They keep saying this and keep saying that. How they like this and don't like that. Why this should be and why it shouldn't. Too much talks, no action, It’s high time the Yoruba's come out clean and say what they really want. How long do they intend to keep hiding and pretending? They play the America game, always in the middle, supporting both sides but only interested in themselves.
They act as if they like the Igbo-Biafrans but on the other hand they hate and jealous them. They come out publicly to say they want "One Nigeria" but behind closed doors, they show so much anger, resentment towards the country and also talk about building Oduduwa Nation. Yoruba's are always in between. You don't know if they are for you or against you. They show you support when it’s convenient but push you aside when it’s not favourable. Am not condemning the Yoruba's, just debunking what they have been exhibiting.
Take the issue of Obafemi Awolowo, yes to the Yoruba's he's their hero but the Igbo-Biafrans cannot forget what he did to them during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war. How he betrayed Biafra and engineered the death of over 2million children through starvation. Yoruba's keep saying they didn't support the war and the killings of over 3.5million Biafrans during the civil war but why didn't they voice out when it mattered. How can you tell me you love me but when you have the chance to save me from harm, you desert me? Why entrap and falsify others? It’s high time the Yoruba's either come out openly to declare where they stand instead of swindling and their hypocriticalness to stand for justice and equity, when only what they are after is just their own hoggish benefits. Yoruba's, you claim to love the Igbo-Biafrans but how many of you have splashed the Igbo's with the same love they have array to you, in your lands and interactions? How many of you Yoruba's can sincerely say you truly love and cherish the Igbo-Biafrans and that's why you don't want them to break away from Nigeria? Tell me you are not scared of what would be left of Nigeria when Biafrans breakout? For once you all should tell yourselves the truth and stand by the truth.
How long do the Yoruba's want to keep placing parochial sentiment above ideology and principle? How long? Even the "Great and Beloved" Awolowo showed how illusive, crafty and unreliable the Yoruba's can be when trusted. Always in the midpoint and not on anyone's side. They will support both you and your enemy. Awolowo during the civil war declared that if the East was allowed to secede as a result of acts of omission or commission, he would also lead the West into secession. He gave a go ahead for Igbo secession. But when the East seceded, Awolowo failed to mobilise the West and tally along. Not only did the West not join the East in secession, it joined the North in fighting against the East. Awolowo then became the Commissioner of Finance and Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council of the Nigerian government that prosecuted the war against Biafran secession.
“It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface atleast, nothing wrong with those aspirations. “However, Awolowo saw the dominant Igbo at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity arose the Nigeria-Biafra War his ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. “In the Biafran case, it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.”--Chinua Achebe.
I think it’s time the Yoruba's admit the bitter truth that Nigeria can never work and saying "One Nigeria" is just one of those things you say to yourselves to sleep better at night. How long do you intend to keep remaining in the hub and always allowing circumstances to keep deciding your fate? Don't you think it’s time to acknowledge the unvarnished truth about Nigeria and quit been wrapped up in yourselves. What side are you on? Clog to a side and avoid been troublemakers.
Well, life is about interests. If your ambition does not support my interest, I ain't gonna play balls.
ReplyDeleteNnamdi Kanu showed his disdain for Yoruba's because they were not convinced about his ambition. And still, we're not yet convinced! I'd rather be in the middle to make a favorable judgement for myself than sacrifice my interest for anyone's selfish ambition. Are Igbos anything different? Are they in any way loyal without a reward for them?
Maybe soon, our interest will align especially with the Herdsmen menace. But for now, we're still calculating our moves and when our interest is really taking into consideration you'll know our stance.Just as you said, we are like Americans and Igbos are exactly like dt too.