Why Ndigbo should not secede

Sir: Some people argue that the Igbo can still be in Biafra and do business in Nigeria. That is in theory. Separation in Africa and developing countries is never a smooth, painless process in both the short and the long run. Its only theorists that think so. Free movements in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu as Nigerians do now will be more painful then. Then I guess we have not failed to realise that the late Biafran leader Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu died and was buried a Nigerian hero, an honour only few Nigerians may ever earn at death. He was re-absorbed into the Army, paid all his entitlements as a Nigerian soldier. He contested election for the highest seat in the land. Have we forgotten all these?

I should be understood clearly. I have not said and I am not saying that if there is a circumstance to warrant a push for separation, it should not hold despite the claim of some of our rulers that Nigeria is indivisible and indissoluble. Such cliche can only be meaningful when there is social justice in the nation. But is such circumstance obvious now? Some people can be affirmative on that referring to such incidents as the killings all over the country, economic hardship, ethnicity, etc. Is secession clause in our constitution? Why can’t we push for a confederal constitution that makes it possible for regional governments? There are many options we can push for rather than outright secession and this calls for patience, conviction and constant pressure. Nigeria is not yet our dream ideal nation, but we can still make it be. Yes, this is possible.
Chuks Ibegbu, Umuawa-Alaocha,
Umuahia North, Abia State