How Can We Talk About Peace When There Is No Justice? -By Gloria Ogo

This morning:

Inbox: Please, my dear, I want to ask you one thing about your writing skills, experience, and your knowledge of history.

Me: Good morning, sir. Go ahead.

Inbox: Morning. How are you doing? I will like you to write a book with a theme of peace and unity as well as living together between south and north

Me: Please, expatiate.

Inbox: You are a talented writer indeed. Now Nigeria is in need of educated poeple like you. Please try to write something for the purpose of bringing about positive changes and development and overcoming the problem of agitation in Nigeria.

Me: But how can there be peace, when there is no Justice?

Inbox: I knew all your books are good and beneficial to all Nigerians, Injustice comes from leaders not the masses from both South and north.

Me: I believe the agitation is not a result of hate or lack of unity, but of injustice and unfairness. The only way I believe the nation can do away with the agitation is to be fair with everyone under this sovereign country. One law cannot govern the north, while a separate law is met out to the South and West.

Inbox: Have you ever come to Kano or Katsina, and witness the kind of interection between Igbo and Hausa fulani?

Me: Why is Gumi walking free, while Kanu faces trial? Is the bandit negotiator not a worse sinner than Kanu?

Inbox: Believe me my dear, the current situation here in North is worse than over there in south, we are suffering from hunger, poverty, terrorism, lack of education, malnutrition, and many more.

Me: Like I said, the agitation is not against the people of the North, but against the injustice shown to the South. I consider it unfair to detain Nnamdi, while Gumi walks free.

Inbox: I know Kanu does not deserve this kind of treatment.
The politicians are not thinking about the welfare of their poeple, wether you are from Southwest or north, they don’t care about their poeple. They only care about their election

Me: And you still want people to remain under this picture?

Inbox: That’s why I ask you write something that’s capable of highlighting Nigerians about who are their enemies

Me: The rest regions know the problem. Perhaps they have endured enough.

Inbox: Our problems are our leaders, not anybody living in the East, west, north south

Me: I believe we are saying the same thing. Looking at events, the South seems not to want to be a part of such problem anymore. If the north is okay, it is up to them

Inbox: We are not okay , but we are afraid. We’re not okay, but no options

Me: How can there be unity under fear? The oppressed will only keep getting oppressed

Inbox: I’m now speechless!!! But you know it is not easy. It’s a difficult tasks.

Me: How would you want this story of peace to be written? That the South agreed to remain oppressed? Even as Nnamdi is being unfairly treated?

Inbox: I’m still speechless.

Me: Over what?

Inbox: The book and also living together as one country. But do you think about your poeple who are living here in North with their properties and family? As well as their counterpart in South. What do you think?

Me: I think I cannot deceive them that the country is united, when a different constitution governs the north, while the South another. Tell the people first about Justice, before you tell them about peace

Inbox: All Nigerians are being oppressed not only southerners. Let’s keep praying.
I wish I heard what you are going to say about igbos living with us here in North. It’s not true to say we are being governed with a consitution different from the one used in South

Me: I am only a writer. At the moment, Nnamdi Kanu should be accorded justice and fairness. Once that is done, we can tell the people about peace and unity. An innocent man, in my opinion, cannot be in jail, while you talk about peace

Inbox: Okay. Your courage really impressed me.

Me: And your intentions are genuine. I appreciate that. Just that the priorities are wrong at the moment.

Inbox: Indeed!!! We are still friends

Me: Sure, I am a friend to everyone. I love peace, as long as it is backed with equity and fairness.