The open—and yet hidden—secret of Nigerian politics is that the South East, South South, and North Central are the weakest and most marginalized zones. Common sense dictates that they should always vote together as a block to maximize their individual opportunities within Nigeria.
Common sense also teaches that, individually, none of these regions has the desire or capacity to dominate the polity. Their core shared interest, therefore, must be in the good governance of Nigeria, the maintenance of security, peace, law and order, and the general advancement of the country. Only when these interests are realized can any of them claim to derive genuine benefit from Nigeria.
This means that any government formed with the votes of these regions cannot but advance these interests and stabilize the country.
Furthermore, it is in the interest of groups in the North West, North East, and South West—regions that are also marginalized, and of all Nigerians who believe that their welfare is best guaranteed under a well-governed Nigeria—to join the coalition of North Central, South South, and South East in their voting patterns. Such a coalition would guarantee a government focused on Nigeria’s well-being, rather than ethnicity or religion.
The major obstacle to this winning formula is the deep-seated prejudice against Igbos, which is an acquired behavior. It is acquired because the affected individuals have never critically examined it. No Nigerian, in living memory or beyond, can point to a time when Igbos attacked their neighbors simply for being different. Yet, Igbos have repeatedly suffered such prejudice from others.
Those obsessed with dominating Nigerian politics have deliberately embedded Igbo prejudice in others as a tool of control. Before 1966, their narrative framed Igbo economic success as a form of domination. After 1966, the narrative shifted to allege that Igbos were responsible for the deaths of other Nigerian leaders during the January 1966 coup.
Yet history shows a stark imbalance: army officers from these dominant groups have killed far more leaders and military officers from the North Central and South South in coups, counter-coups, and punitive actions than the totality of those killed in the January 1966 coup—an event often cited to justify Igbo prejudice.
Moreover, tens of thousands of North Central Nigerians have been—and continue to be—killed by extremists and bandits from these same dominant groups, yet the narrative of the January 1966 coup is repeatedly emphasized.
Just as I have urged Ndigbo to set aside the idea of Biafra—which appears to declare enmity against other Nigerians—other Nigerians must also recognize that Igbo prejudice is a chain designed to manipulate them. It turns people into unwitting tools for protecting the selfish interests of a few while sustaining negative domination over Nigeria.
While Ndigbo must bury the mentality of Biafra, other Nigerians who wish to advance their welfare within a well-governed Nigeria must also bury Igbo prejudice and regard anyone promoting such prejudice as an enemy of progress and national unity.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
