Nigeria can only function as a stable federation if no single section of the country—either acting alone or in alliance with others—can dominate the polity. Where domination exists or is perceived to exist, fear replaces reason, and politics degenerates into a struggle for ethnic survival rather than a contest of ideas, competence, and character.
Our persistent tendency to seek power not as a tool for service but as an instrument of domination has led us to prioritize ethnic loyalty over merit. In the name of self-protection, we elevate kinsmen into positions of authority regardless of their competence or integrity. This reflex, repeated across regions, has trapped the country in a vicious cycle of corrupt, inept, and egotistical leadership that continues to push Nigeria further down the development ladder.
Worse still, citizens are routinely blackmailed with the fear of domination by “others,” compelling them to continue supporting leaders who are demonstrably corrupt, incompetent, and retrogressive. These leaders, in turn, exploit that fear to retain power while presiding over worsening insecurity, economic decline, and social fragmentation.
Nigeria would fare far better under a government constituted by a broad coalition of diverse sections of the country—North and South—none of which is capable, on its own, of dominating the polity. Such a coalition would better realize the constitutional principle of Federal Character and ensure genuine non-domination, unlike the narrow and exclusionary concentration of power witnessed under the Buhari administration and now, even more starkly, under the Tinubu government.
The most marginalized groups in Nigeria today include the peoples of the South East, South South, North Central, and the Hausa and other non-Fulani communities of the North East and North West. Individually, these groups are politically vulnerable. Collectively, however, their combined voting strength far exceeds that of the dominant blocs—especially when joined by progressive elements from other sections who share a vision of a greater Nigeria, not merely a Nigeria in which their ethnic group sits on top.
The logical way forward, therefore, is for these marginalized groups to consciously come together, agree on a competent and credible leader from among themselves, and vote as a disciplined bloc. Though weak in isolation, they are collectively stronger than any other coalition of interests in the country and can provide Nigeria with a stable, competent, efficient, and accountable government.
Such an arrangement would help restore peace and stability, unlock growth and development, and rebuild trust in the Nigerian state.
The primary obstacle to this outcome has been persistent division among these groups—divisions deliberately cultivated by politically dominant interests to prevent the emergence of a united front. As long as these divisions persist, marginalization will endure.
This impasse can be broken if, for a season, proponents of Biafra and other separatist impulses choose strategic restraint and work toward the formation of this broad coalition. If such a coalition succeeds, it would substantially fulfill the core aspirations of the Biafran cause: the welfare, peace, security, progress, and dignity of the Igbo people relative to other sections of Nigeria—achieved not through isolation, but through collective strength and non-dominating governance.
Published by Chuks Nwachuku
