Independence Day Nigeria 2020: Can Our 'Unity' Be Sustained?

In commemoration of Independence Day Nigeria 2020, Femi Fani-Kayode questions the sustainability of unity in Nigeria amid the ongoing crisis.

AllNews reports that that former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, via his official Twitter handle asked if Nigeria's "unity" can be sustained amid the widening cracks and rising anger.

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Fani-Kayode tweeted saying; "Today we celebrate 60 years of independence from our former colonial masters. I wish my compatriots happy independence day but I am constrained to ask the following: can our "unity" be sustained? The cracks are widening& anger is rising. Nigeria may not be one for much longer." 

Today we celebrate 60 years of independence from our former colonial masters. I wish my compatriots happy independence day but I am constrained to ask the following: can our "unity" be sustained? The cracks are widening& anger is rising. Nigeria may not be one for much longer.

— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) October 1, 2020

AllNews reports that Fani-Kayode's Independence Day tweet triggered some reactions from followers, see below;

We've never been one before and we can never be. Kerosene and water can never mix
Biafra is a must, we've tolerated enough #BiafraExit #BiafraReferendum

— cres (@Cres25674315) October 1, 2020

We are not independent yet. All the borrow borrow from China and the increase in tax and everything doesn't show any sign of Independence. As I am typing, I don't have light to watch the edited speech baba will broadcast by 7am. It's sad? Nigeria is British business venture!

— C.C.O™ (@ccodaceo) October 1, 2020

Sir, i think our unity can surely be sustained now because i had never seen any Nigerian on this app who preaches disunity & hate Muslims/Notherners like you do. But today you accepted a traditional title from Zamfara & also in love with a muslim notherner. We're almost there!

— Engr UsufKankara! (@collabo21) October 1, 2020

Nigerian northern Muslims are agents of underdevelopment.They accept quota system,support leaders who have nothing to offer.They see other religions as enemies while playing the hate card. How can you see a person from another region as "nyamiri" and preach unity at the same time

— Chukwuma Michael Ine (@michaelchuks911) October 1, 2020

Unity of ?? is based purely on economics, this is d reason why d foundation remains unstable right from inception. Sadly, most ??ns has come to realise that d continued existence of this entity only serves d interest of none indigenous Fulani clan, that can no longer be accepted. pic.twitter.com/BB9M0Giv75

— John-Ezeakolam (@JohnEzeakolam) October 1, 2020

The North already knows that what we have is false unity which can't stand of time. They recruited 535 persons from the North into SSS, & reluctantly & grudgingly gave 93 slots to the South! Is this unity? This is deceit & nepotism, not unity!

— Pastor C C Enyiah (@CelestineEnyiah) October 1, 2020

Biafra: IPOB/ Yoruba World Congress Agitation

AllNews understands that the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Yoruba World Congress share the same interest. They both seek jurisdiction over their space and resources and a desire to be master-planners of their own political future. The two groups long not for territories outside their borders or nurse expansionist ambitions but to live on their own terms.

Why do they not agree essentially on the same things that form the core of their interest?

 According to Fredrick Nwabufo, the long history of distrust among the two groups foregrounds this uncanny parallel.

The Yoruba and the Igbo share a lot more than similar mythic origins. They are the oldest inhabitants of the areas they live in. In other words, the Yoruba and the Igbo are indigenous to the geographical area called “Nigeria”. And it has also been argued that both groups are of a singular ancestry.

The two groups have had established trade links dating to the period before contact with the first Europeans. And they are known to share a passion for the industry; are convivial, accommodating, and peace-loving.

Also, there is no documented history of the war between the Igbo and the Yoruba despite occupying the same “Southern hemisphere”. In the pre-colonial times, wars among kingdoms and natives were common, but there appears to be no recorded incident of a battle between the clans and kingdoms of the two groups.

In language, they are both of the Kwa-group Niger-Congo origins. The similarities between the Yoruba and the Igbo language are remarkable, if not uncanny, which point to an identical fount.