Civil War: Nigeria Moves Towards War -By Richard Odusanya

The definition of civil war clearly encompasses many different forms of conflict. Some analysts distinguish between civil wars in which insurgents seek territorial secession or autonomy and conflicts in which insurgents aim for control of the central government. Conflicts over government control may involve insurgents originating from within the centre or state apparatus, as in military coups, or challengers from outside the political establishment. Other analysts distinguish between ethnic civil wars, in which the insurgents and individuals in control of the central, as witnessed in several incidents of lately. Particularly, the Kuje prison break.

Furthermore, civil war, is a violent conflict between a state and one or more organized non-state actors in the state’s territory. Civil wars are thus distinguished from interstate conflicts (in which states fight other states), violent conflicts or riots not involving states (sometimes labeled intercommunal conflicts), and state repression against individuals who cannot be considered an organized or cohesive group, including genocides, and similar violence by non-state actors, such as terrorism or violent crime including the issues of unwarranted attack on personalities.

On the other hand, discrimination – in all its possible forms and expressions – is one of the most common forms of human rights violations and abuse. It affects millions of people everyday and it is one of the most difficult to recognise. Discrimination and intolerance are closely related concepts. Intolerance is a lack of respect for practices or beliefs other than one’s own. It also involves the rejection of people whom we perceive as different, for example members of a social or ethnic group other than ours, or people who are different in political or sexual orientation. Intolerance can manifest itself in a wide range of actions from avoidance through hate speech to physical injury or even murder.

Interestingly, each one of us belongs to or identifies with several social groups. When dealing with any particular disadvantaged social group, it is important to be aware of the internal heterogeneity of the group and the potential for multiple grounds of discrimination. These multiple identifications not only mean more possibilities of discrimination, but can also come from several directions: for example, Richard Odusanya, may not be one of the Obiagirlies by reasons of conviction, persuasion and experience. Why should these writer becomes a victim of mob attack on account of my preference or conviction?

Today, Africa is laced with some of the most obstinate conflicts, most of them constructed from differences in religious and ethnic identities. Religious and ethnic nationalism has led to conflicts about control of state power, unequal allocation of resources, citizenship issues, state collapse, economic decline and ethno-religious clashes. Nigeria has been pushed hither and thither by recurrent crises of regional or state illegitimacy, often impairing efforts at economic transformation, democratisation, national cohesion and stability – added to the recent dastardly acts of criminalities, terrorism and politically motivated assault on personalities who differs in the bandwagon FALLACIES.

Unfortunately, our beloved country Nigeria (The sleeping giant of Africa) is synonymous with deep divisions which cause major political issues to be vigorously and violently contested along the lines of intricate ethnic, religious and regional divisions. Issues that raise the most dust are those regarded essential for the existence and the validity of the state. Opposing and contending assemblages have a tendency to assume an exclusionary winner-take-all approach. Hence, the issues of ethnic biases, sectionalism, and bitterness resulting in several incidents came inflamed further.

Therefore, breakdown, breakaway, civil strife, civil war, minority nervousness, and violent clashes, all of which would typically be regarded unusual in normal states are common forces or actual occurrences in divided states. Notwithstanding, we are better and stronger in diversity than in miniature principalities that became of the former USSR; or the possibility of a new Biafra or Niger Delta of their dreams boiling over like South Sudan; God forbid.

Flowing from the above, I will like to conclude this article by admonishing us that: Divisive, ethnocentric and bigotry, such politician who promote such tendencies, is not a Unifier or nationalist and not in good taste in an already polarized and insecure country. Politicians should be civil and respect other ethnic groups by talking issues instead of inflaming bitter sectionalism as exemplified by the followers of Peter Obi. It has become absolutely necessary to inform the teaming supporters of Peter Obi, that, elections are not won on social media. It takes a lot of goodwill, planning and cohesiveness. Not mob actions, not uncivil aggression nor unwarranted assault on personalities to become a president of a country like Nigeria. Unless, Peter Obi is planning to be a Biafran President, the current narrative is not the way to go.

Exactly one week ago, it was an amiable servant of God, Pst Poju Oyemade, who became a victim of mob attack, next was the turn of a billionaire businessman ‘Femi Otedola for posting a photograph of himself and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the presidential candidate of the ruling party Apc and subsequently Reno Omokri, “Hold Peter Obi Responsible If Anything Happens To Me -Reno Omokri. He has said; “The threats are becoming too much. My life is at risk. If anything happens to me, my wife, my children, or my siblings, the world should hold Peter Obi responsible. He has raised a horde of intolerant and violent Obidients who just want to replace Buhari’s tyranny with theirs!” I daresay, that, this is not the way to go. Sheathe your swords and let us rebuild our beloved country Nigeria.

ARISE ‘O COMPATRIOTS.

Richard Odusanya is a Social Reform Crusader and the convener of AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI.