In an interview on his 90th birthday, General Yakubu Gowon accused the southeast of trying to break away from Nigeria, which sparked the civil war that killed over three million people. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has responded to this accusation. Emeka Emekesiri, the founder of IPOB, retorted that the war was caused by Gowon’s inability to carry out the confederation agreement that was established at the Aburi meeting in Ghana. Citing the UK’s four-nation model, Emekesiri underlined that confederation is a union of autonomous territories rather than secession.
Emekesiri also cited the book by Ken Saro Wiwa, which claimed that Gowon established the states of Rivers and Cross Rivers in order to split the Eastern Region and halt Biafra. The South South Region, which includes the states of Rivers and Cross Rivers, is now vying for independence and sovereignty over their resources, but this has resulted in the same injustices and marginalization that the South East has experienced.
Nigeria should be divided into six regional administrations, according to IPOB, so that each can rule itself and advance at its own speed. Emekesiri thinks that this is the secret to bringing about peace in Nigeria. The restructuring topic is not new; some contend that rather than unviable states, Nigeria needs regional powerhouses. According to experts, the majority of Nigerians’ lives have not significantly improved under the existing federal system.
Nigeria has experienced a number of political reorganizations, notably General Gowon’s 1967 adoption of the 12-state system. But stability has not resulted from this, and the nation still struggles with inequality and supremacy. Restructuring proponents contend that these fundamental problems must be addressed in order to advance political and economic inclusivity.
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