Efio-Ita Nyok|17 August 2017
International development economist, Princewill Odidi, recently, has, while commending former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke's presidential ambition, observed that Nigeria is overtly polarised by ethnic sentiment NegroidHaven can say.
The political pundit expressed this via his social media account as he narrated his experience with a friend of his who said that, with the activities of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOD), Dr Nnamdi Kanu, no 'Ibo' man can be the president of Africa's most populous country, Nigeria. Odidi who corrected his obviously Hausa friend that Duke isn't Ibo noted that Duke's presidential ambition is becoming serious commended the later for even dreaming to be president of Nigeria.
His words reads in part, 'Donald appears to be serious with this his Presidency thing.
'Nigeria is too ethnically polarized to give room for a minority. A friend of mine and very senior politician boasted that with what Nnamdi Kanu is doing, an Ibo man can never be Nigerian president in 100 years. I told him Duke is not Ibo, he said to Hausas, all easterners are Ibo.
'But I must commend Donald Duke for even dreaming.'
The degree of ethnicity in Nigeria is appalling and regrettable. Why must a natural phenomenon as —language, distinct us as a nation? Why can't we relate with the fact that we are Nigerians first and foremost before, being Efik, Idoma, Tiv, Izzi etc?
Ethnicity is ripping this country apart! It's harping seriously on the seams. The earlier we deliberately address it, the better. Or, we will wake up one day to see this big country torn into unviable little shreds of ethnic (not nation states) states.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven
