The Southern Nigeria with her “I don’t care mentality,” has destroyed the region far more than it had brought her any known good, the ill mind set of “every thing that doesn’t add a note to my wallet or pocket is not my business”, especially with the new slogan “who em elp”.
This among others has resulted to a major menace and has brought a negative impact on the region. In the last census, just when the Northern Nigeria was fully involved, their traditional and religious leaders with their foresight encouraged their people to make sure they were counted, allegedly some would claim that, the national census was highly characterized by corrupt sharp practices, of herds (cows) counting, notwithstanding that shows the enthusiasm. This was same time we were begging the Southern Nigeria to ensure they were counted.
What is the result today?, it has affected every aspect of our lives as a region, it is on records that Northern Nigeria is the most populated, more often than none, gullible minds of the Southerners extraction, who did not even participate in the last census, will want to ignorantly argue a statement that has been statistically proven and has hence become a fact.
If that wasn’t enough, the Southern Nigeria ONLY supports her political candidates with their lips, because they are mostly characterized by largely un- registered electorates and hence can’t vote. A tour around the country puts me at a position where I can authoritatively state this, my visit to South South Nigeria particularly Cross River State, at the heat of the INEC voters registration showed a relatively small population gathered to ensure they are not disenfranchised come 2019.
Also, some other states so visited, but on coming to the Northern Nigeria, my tour to Adamawa State, a terrorist afflicted area, the case was different as people came out in mass to ensure they were registered. This position was rightly supported by the data recently released by INEC. Although this condition has long improved in the Southern Nigeria, as some activist like yours faithful (me) had to launch a full scale campaign to ensure people get registered.
This phenomenon doesn’t just end at registering, as in the past the region Southern Nigeria, do register a low turn out of voters, election days in the region is seen as a public holiday when people stay away from work for the sole purpose of visiting friends and family or to stay home and sleep.
These wrong thought pattern has cost the region so much as well, as it was seen recently in the last national elections, how the region could not deliver her preferred candidate at the presidential elections, largely because most of her people didn’t vote.
But am sure the region has learnt from her mistakes, and I can ONLY but hope and pray they will toll a different path this time.
One system that has long helped the Northern Nigeria, right from the days of the colonial reign is theI’d closely knitted way of life and their submissive nature to their religious and traditional leaders and authorities. Who in the past and even till present still do have great influence and impacts on their subject because of either good reigns, or because of their local customs and norms. Which ever it is, it is evident it is working for the region.
Just as the next general elections draws near, and as well as the soon coming national census alongside other programmes of the federal government, I urge the South to key into them and ensure it works to their advantage. Because we ONLY have one country (one Nigeria), and we should not relegate ourselves to the background, where we will subsequently be treated as second class citizens in our very own country.
This should not be seen as a diatribe against anybody or region, instead it should be seen as a call from a concern player in the growth, unity and functional Nigeria of our collectivedreams, where every aspect or region is working.
Work with your future in mind.
Victor Adaha (Mr Apolitical)
Public Affairs Analyst
