ON THE MANY ‘DIVISIONS’ AMONGST NIGERIAN ETHNIC NATIONALITIES – THE EXAMPLE OF THE URHOBOS/ISOKOS-DIVIDE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A MORE UNITED NIGERIA
June 23, 2021 | News
There is no doubt that a country that has become as fractious as Nigeria needs to put its acts together as soon as practicable, if it wants to achieve the needed development. It is not for nothing that the country is bedeviled by challenges, some of which touch dangerously on its ‘unity’ and ‘oneness’.
-By Zik Gbemre
ON THE MANY ‘DIVISIONS’ AMONGST NIGERIAN ETHNIC NATIONALITIES – THE EXAMPLE OF THE URHOBOS/ISOKOS-DIVIDE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A MORE UNITED NIGERIA
What differences that may have existed, and still exists amongst/within most ethnic nationalities across the different zones/region of the country, are all man-made and can be readdressed/reversed for a more united front…
The Isokos and the Urhobos, were once a one big united tribe, that were only torn asunder by the past actions of political actors…
If we look closely and intently, we would realize that there is really no major difference(s) between the Isoko people and the Urhobo people. The same way this applies to the Igbos, Yorubas, etc…
A united Urhobo/Isoko is far stronger and better, and would achieve more in terms of development and political advancement, than a divided Urhobo and Isoko nation…
There is no doubt that a country that has become as fractious as Nigeria needs to put its acts together as soon as practicable, if it wants to achieve the needed development. It is not for nothing that the country is bedeviled by challenges, some of which touch dangerously on its ‘unity’ and ‘oneness’. The apparent diversity and complexities of the make-up of Nigeria, explains the reason why the issue of nepotism, favouritism, ethnicitism, religion and political affiliations have been the attributing factors that have continued to thwart the nation’s growth. But a careful look at our history and the make-up of the ethnic nationalities in the county, one would realize that there is actually little or not much difference(s) between/within the ethnic groups of a particular zone/region in the country. Which makes me wonder the possibility of us shelving these so-called differences amongst/within us as a people, to have a more United people within the various zones/regions of the country, to culminate to a more United Nigeria.
These were my thoughts when I recently saw a publication online explaining the reason for the apparent division between the Isokos and the Urhobos of Delta State. According to the said piece: “Fact: The first Senate President of NIGERIA in 1960 was Chief Dennis Osadebey. In 1963, Nnamdi Azikiwe asked him to resign so that he should go and become the First Premier of the then newly created Midwest region. This was because Osadebey was Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Loyalist to the core and also a fellow Igbo man. Nnamdi Azikiwe replaced Osadebey with Nwafor Orizu, another Igbo man as Senate President in 1963.
“Meanwhile, the Urhobos had already endorsed Chief James Otobo from the Isoko area of Eastern Urhobo Division, to be the first Premier. This was because the Isokos were already complaining of being marginalized by other Urhobos in the Central and Western Urhobo Division. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was the leader of the N.C.N.C (National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons) imposed Dennis Osadebey on them, the U.P.U (Urhobo Progress Union) led by Salubi and Otobo walked out on Nnamdi Azikiwe for such betrayal. Many Urhobos followed suit. But Chief Marierie stayed behind and negotiated the Governor seat for the Urhobos, and he was given. Chief Otobo was even more annoyed with Marierie for doing such a thing as Marierie should have at least negotiated the Governor’s seat for him Otobo. But Marierie described the walking out on Nnamdi Azikiwe by the U.P.U as ill-matured, and being a founding member of the U.P.U and Patron of the U.P.U, Salubi had no choice but to respect his decision.
“So, the next Position was that of the Deputy Premier, and Otobo intended to get that one. But this time not through the U.P.U, as the Urhobos cannot have both the Governor and the Deputy Premier. But Otobo and his Isoko followers then made it clear that Otobo can still be the Deputy Premier, as the Isokos had never considered themselves to be Urhobos. Really? Yes, they replied. And so, IT WAS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO DIVIDE THE POWERFUL URHOBO TRIBE OF THE MIDWEST INTO 2, THE ISOKOS AND THE URHOBOS, as the one big tribe is Powerful enough to challenge Nnamdi Azikiwe, who wants to be the Master of the Eastern region and the Newly created Midwest region.
“And so, A GREAT PEOPLE WERE TORN ASUNDER. But all these scheming lasted for only 3 years, as the Military struck in 1966. Yet, the big tribe had been torn asunder and regrettably so. BUT CAN THEY UNITE AGAIN AS ONE PEOPLE, JUST AS THEY HAVE BEEN FROM ANCIENT TIMES, AND SO CONTROL THEIR POLITICAL DESTINY?
“N.B. In 1979, following the restoration of democracy, the Urhobos paid back both Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe. They voted against Nnamdi Azikiwe who was the Presidential candidate of the NPP, and also voted against Obafemi Awolowo who was the Presidential candidate of the UPN. This time around they opted for a Fulani man, Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the NPN. Shagari did not disappoint them as he gave them a multinational company - the D.S.C (Delta Steel Company) and Owena River Basin. With these, many Urhobo sons and daughters became empowered financially and politically within a short time. And by 1983, once again they gave Shagari a landslide block votes.”
We can see how we came about some of the differences amongst the various ethnic nationalities across the length and breadth of the country. There are just too many divisions amongst and within every tribe/ethnic group/zone and region in the country. Even amongst the Northerners, Easterners, Westerners and Southerners of Nigeria - there are just many big gaps and divisions amongst the people that are even of the same tribe and language. If you ask me, I really don't know or see any major difference(s) between the Isoko people and the Urhobo people. This is because they eat the same food, wear the same native attires/clothes, speak same language with light difference in dialect.
In fact, all the Nigerian ethnic groups from a particular region/zone have differences in dialect even within the same tribe. The Yorubas have different dialects and some differences within their ways of life, even when their cultures are largely the same. The same thing with the Igbos – they have different dialects but they considered themselves one tribe if you look at them.
Sadly, rather than our peculiar differences as a people become a blessing, it has become a curse to us and our overall development. In a country where every tribe and language has its own culture and internal custom, and where every Nigerian, no matter his/her profession and status – be it a Police Officer, INEC Official, Lawyer, Judge, Doctor, Teacher, Engineer, Accountant, Politician or what have you; all have one (often self-centered) vested interest or the other, and as such, policies and laws, no matter how good they are, are tailored not to work for the good of all. From the major tribes of Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo, the minority tribes too don't even agree with each other. Every tribe feel they are superior to the other. Every village, town and city are different in nature from one another – even when everything about them seems THE SAME. No trust between themselves. In fact, within every State, there are a lot of differences in the tribes, languages and the people themselves.
Perhaps, we can attribute all the unhealthy and anti-development prevailing circumstances around the polity to the root factor of our diversity and multiplicity of cultures, ethnicity, languages and religious backgrounds. We believe that is why every action and every decision – be it of the government of the day or at any level of the public and private sector space - are viewed through the lens of ‘distrust’. Nobody seems to trust anybody that is not of their own stock. The said distrust is even amongst those of the same tribe and religion. This brings us back to the issue of ‘No Patriotism’ and ‘No Commitment to serve the interest of others’ – every man/woman for his/her selfish-self and those around them. But this UNHEALTHY STATUS of us, as Nigerians, has to change if we really want to make a headway, especially amongst those of the minority tribes.
I personally think it is time for THE URHOBOS AND ISOKOS TO UNITE AS ONE, just as it was in the past. What differences that may have existed, and still exists amongst/within us, are all man-made and can be readdressed/reversed for a more united front. The truth is that a united Urhobo/Isoko is far stronger and better, and would achieve more in terms of development and political advancement, than a divided Urhobos and Isokos. Whatever differences that may have existed in our minds, can be shelved aside as we respect and embrace one another for a united front. That is the way I see it!
Zik Gbemre.
June 23, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
-By Zik Gbemre
ON THE MANY ‘DIVISIONS’ AMONGST NIGERIAN ETHNIC NATIONALITIES – THE EXAMPLE OF THE URHOBOS/ISOKOS-DIVIDE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A MORE UNITED NIGERIA
What differences that may have existed, and still exists amongst/within most ethnic nationalities across the different zones/region of the country, are all man-made and can be readdressed/reversed for a more united front…
The Isokos and the Urhobos, were once a one big united tribe, that were only torn asunder by the past actions of political actors…
If we look closely and intently, we would realize that there is really no major difference(s) between the Isoko people and the Urhobo people. The same way this applies to the Igbos, Yorubas, etc…
A united Urhobo/Isoko is far stronger and better, and would achieve more in terms of development and political advancement, than a divided Urhobo and Isoko nation…
There is no doubt that a country that has become as fractious as Nigeria needs to put its acts together as soon as practicable, if it wants to achieve the needed development. It is not for nothing that the country is bedeviled by challenges, some of which touch dangerously on its ‘unity’ and ‘oneness’. The apparent diversity and complexities of the make-up of Nigeria, explains the reason why the issue of nepotism, favouritism, ethnicitism, religion and political affiliations have been the attributing factors that have continued to thwart the nation’s growth. But a careful look at our history and the make-up of the ethnic nationalities in the county, one would realize that there is actually little or not much difference(s) between/within the ethnic groups of a particular zone/region in the country. Which makes me wonder the possibility of us shelving these so-called differences amongst/within us as a people, to have a more United people within the various zones/regions of the country, to culminate to a more United Nigeria.
These were my thoughts when I recently saw a publication online explaining the reason for the apparent division between the Isokos and the Urhobos of Delta State. According to the said piece: “Fact: The first Senate President of NIGERIA in 1960 was Chief Dennis Osadebey. In 1963, Nnamdi Azikiwe asked him to resign so that he should go and become the First Premier of the then newly created Midwest region. This was because Osadebey was Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Loyalist to the core and also a fellow Igbo man. Nnamdi Azikiwe replaced Osadebey with Nwafor Orizu, another Igbo man as Senate President in 1963.
“Meanwhile, the Urhobos had already endorsed Chief James Otobo from the Isoko area of Eastern Urhobo Division, to be the first Premier. This was because the Isokos were already complaining of being marginalized by other Urhobos in the Central and Western Urhobo Division. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was the leader of the N.C.N.C (National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons) imposed Dennis Osadebey on them, the U.P.U (Urhobo Progress Union) led by Salubi and Otobo walked out on Nnamdi Azikiwe for such betrayal. Many Urhobos followed suit. But Chief Marierie stayed behind and negotiated the Governor seat for the Urhobos, and he was given. Chief Otobo was even more annoyed with Marierie for doing such a thing as Marierie should have at least negotiated the Governor’s seat for him Otobo. But Marierie described the walking out on Nnamdi Azikiwe by the U.P.U as ill-matured, and being a founding member of the U.P.U and Patron of the U.P.U, Salubi had no choice but to respect his decision.
“So, the next Position was that of the Deputy Premier, and Otobo intended to get that one. But this time not through the U.P.U, as the Urhobos cannot have both the Governor and the Deputy Premier. But Otobo and his Isoko followers then made it clear that Otobo can still be the Deputy Premier, as the Isokos had never considered themselves to be Urhobos. Really? Yes, they replied. And so, IT WAS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO DIVIDE THE POWERFUL URHOBO TRIBE OF THE MIDWEST INTO 2, THE ISOKOS AND THE URHOBOS, as the one big tribe is Powerful enough to challenge Nnamdi Azikiwe, who wants to be the Master of the Eastern region and the Newly created Midwest region.
“And so, A GREAT PEOPLE WERE TORN ASUNDER. But all these scheming lasted for only 3 years, as the Military struck in 1966. Yet, the big tribe had been torn asunder and regrettably so. BUT CAN THEY UNITE AGAIN AS ONE PEOPLE, JUST AS THEY HAVE BEEN FROM ANCIENT TIMES, AND SO CONTROL THEIR POLITICAL DESTINY?
“N.B. In 1979, following the restoration of democracy, the Urhobos paid back both Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe. They voted against Nnamdi Azikiwe who was the Presidential candidate of the NPP, and also voted against Obafemi Awolowo who was the Presidential candidate of the UPN. This time around they opted for a Fulani man, Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the NPN. Shagari did not disappoint them as he gave them a multinational company - the D.S.C (Delta Steel Company) and Owena River Basin. With these, many Urhobo sons and daughters became empowered financially and politically within a short time. And by 1983, once again they gave Shagari a landslide block votes.”
We can see how we came about some of the differences amongst the various ethnic nationalities across the length and breadth of the country. There are just too many divisions amongst and within every tribe/ethnic group/zone and region in the country. Even amongst the Northerners, Easterners, Westerners and Southerners of Nigeria - there are just many big gaps and divisions amongst the people that are even of the same tribe and language. If you ask me, I really don't know or see any major difference(s) between the Isoko people and the Urhobo people. This is because they eat the same food, wear the same native attires/clothes, speak same language with light difference in dialect.
In fact, all the Nigerian ethnic groups from a particular region/zone have differences in dialect even within the same tribe. The Yorubas have different dialects and some differences within their ways of life, even when their cultures are largely the same. The same thing with the Igbos – they have different dialects but they considered themselves one tribe if you look at them.
Sadly, rather than our peculiar differences as a people become a blessing, it has become a curse to us and our overall development. In a country where every tribe and language has its own culture and internal custom, and where every Nigerian, no matter his/her profession and status – be it a Police Officer, INEC Official, Lawyer, Judge, Doctor, Teacher, Engineer, Accountant, Politician or what have you; all have one (often self-centered) vested interest or the other, and as such, policies and laws, no matter how good they are, are tailored not to work for the good of all. From the major tribes of Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo, the minority tribes too don't even agree with each other. Every tribe feel they are superior to the other. Every village, town and city are different in nature from one another – even when everything about them seems THE SAME. No trust between themselves. In fact, within every State, there are a lot of differences in the tribes, languages and the people themselves.
Perhaps, we can attribute all the unhealthy and anti-development prevailing circumstances around the polity to the root factor of our diversity and multiplicity of cultures, ethnicity, languages and religious backgrounds. We believe that is why every action and every decision – be it of the government of the day or at any level of the public and private sector space - are viewed through the lens of ‘distrust’. Nobody seems to trust anybody that is not of their own stock. The said distrust is even amongst those of the same tribe and religion. This brings us back to the issue of ‘No Patriotism’ and ‘No Commitment to serve the interest of others’ – every man/woman for his/her selfish-self and those around them. But this UNHEALTHY STATUS of us, as Nigerians, has to change if we really want to make a headway, especially amongst those of the minority tribes.
I personally think it is time for THE URHOBOS AND ISOKOS TO UNITE AS ONE, just as it was in the past. What differences that may have existed, and still exists amongst/within us, are all man-made and can be readdressed/reversed for a more united front. The truth is that a united Urhobo/Isoko is far stronger and better, and would achieve more in terms of development and political advancement, than a divided Urhobos and Isokos. Whatever differences that may have existed in our minds, can be shelved aside as we respect and embrace one another for a united front. That is the way I see it!
Zik Gbemre.
June 23, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes