Self-Determination: Northern Protesters Should Demand For Referendum Not Military Takeover To End Bad Governance
The ongoing nationwide protests in Nigeria has taken turn into a concerning dimension where Some protesters in the North were seen calling for the military to take over power, raising and waving the Russian flags at the same time burning the Nigerian flags. This has raised concerns amongst local and international observers.
The protests in Northern Nigeria, especially in Kano and Kaduna, has highlighted the deep divisions and accumulated frustrations existing within the region. While some northern protesters are calling for the Nigerian military to intervene and take over power from the Tinubu's led government in Abuja, there's tension within the hierarchies of the federal government to stop the protest.
However, this is not the right approach. Instead, Northern protesters should start demanding their right to self-determination and a referendum on total independence essentially the establishment of Arewa Islamic republic or whatever name they deem fit.
The northern youths, population whom the hardship stemming from president Tinubu's fuel subsidy removal and other poor economic policies took the most toll on, have since August 1 taken to the streets expressing their frustrations and grievances.
Grievances include high cost of living, insecurity, inflation and religious/ethnic tensions. Meanwhile, protests erupted across the country over issues like bad governance, corruption, insecurity, poor economic conditions, and gross dissatisfaction with the presidency of Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
However, rather than calling for a military takeover, northern protesters should focus their efforts on securing their democratic right to self-determination. This could take the form of a referendum where northerners can vote on whether to form an independent state, maintain the current federal structure with more regional autonomy, or seek other political arrangements.
Moreso, history has shown that military coups rarely solve the underlying political and social problems that fuel unrest. In fact, military dictatorships often exacerbate tensions and human rights abuses. The Nigerian military with lots of human rights abuses will be a nightmare to ordinary people. The path to lasting peace and stability must come through democratic means that give a voice to the diverse regions and ethnicities in Nigeria.
Calling for military intervention also sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine the relative security owing to the terrorists infiltration into the Nigerian military hierarchies. At this point, the Nigerian military is not a saint or guiltless of corruption and bad leadership, the current realities in the country show they are not a suitable option to ending bad governance either. So, it is dead on arrival as such attempt could embolden other ethnic factions into staging counter coups within the same military, thereby promote violence and instability.
Instead, the northern protesters should focus their energy on advocating for plebiscite; a democratic process that allows the people of the region to decide their own political future. This could take the form of a referendum on independence or increased autonomy, giving various ethnic groups north a direct say in shaping their destiny going forward.
Self-determination is a fundamental human right recognized under international laws. The African Charter on Peoples' Rights also affirms the right of indigenous peoples' to self-determination. By pursuing this path, northern Nigerians could chart a course that is both legitimate and sustainable, rather than relying on the unpredictable and often destabilizing actions of the military.
Furthermore, a referendum would provide an opportunity for open and transparent dialogue on the challenges facing the north and potential solutions. This would help build consensus, address grievances, and ultimately lead to a more stable and equitable arrangement for all ethnic groups in the North.
While the current situation in Nigeria is undoubtedly dire, a military takeover is not close to the solution. The northern protesters should as a matter of necessity join IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and direct their efforts towards securing the democratic right to self-determination through a referendum. This would be a more principled and constructive approach to resolving the region's pressing issues and grievances as well as ending bad governance entirely.
Family Writers Press International
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