A Strategic Imperative for the Southeast and the North: Political and Economic Alliance

By Prof. Jibril M. Umar

For far too long, the Igbo people have harbored a misguided perception of their arch-nemesis. The prevailing notion that the Hausa-Fulani are their perpetual adversaries is a misconception that has been perpetuated by the Yoruba elites.

It is surprising that the Igbo, known for their astuteness and intelligence have not been able to see through this constructed reality and develop a more nuanced understanding of their place within the complex Nigerian political-tribal structuration.

This warped mindset has blinded the Igbo to the reality of their true adversaries. It is time for the Igbo to reevaluate their historical narrative and forge a new path forward, one that is open to political and economic alignment with the North. The motive is present and the opportunity is now. The North is in need of this alliance more than ever before.

For decades, the post-war alliance of convenience between the North (Hausa-Fulani) and the West (Yoruba) has economically disadvantaged the North, despite its perceived dominance in political power across various levels of government, from the presidency to military institutions and state-owned enterprises.

The North urgently needs economic empowerment, not just political power. The enterprising spirit and transformational potential of the Igbo entrepreneurs and small business owners are essential for this change. The Yoruba, by manipulating Northern elites, have continued to sideline the Igbo, benefiting themselves while keeping the North in a state of economic stagnation. This must end.

Despite political dominance, the North remains the poorest, most insecure, and underdeveloped region in Nigeria. Without Igbo businesses in the North, the situation would be even more dire. Recently, the North has suffered from the damaging policies of the Buhari and Tinubu administrations, leading to widespread protests and growing discontent throughout the region.

This development presents a pivotal moment for the Igbo and Hausa-Fulani to recalibrate their political stance and explore new strategic partnerships based on mutual trust and common purpose, leveraging each other’s competitive and comparative advantages.

Notably, Northern elites seem increasingly open to this collaborative approach, as recently highlighted by key figures within the Northern political establishment in private discussions. It appears that the longstanding tactic of Yoruba elites scapegoating the Igbo and creating divisions between Northern and Southeastern elites is finally losing its effectiveness.

This shift in sentiment creates a fertile ground for the Igbo and Hausa-Fulani elites to cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship, one that could potentially redefine the dynamics of Nigerian politics and usher in a new era of cooperation and progress.

By seizing this opportunity, the Igbo-Hausa-Fulani strategic alliance can leverage its unique position to foster a more inclusive and equitable political landscape. However, Igbo elites have opted to maintain a neutral stance amidst the escalating tensions between the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani, a decision that may ultimately undermine their own interests. 

Ironically, this neutrality is precisely what the Yoruba elites had hoped for, as it allows them to maintain their stronghold and influence in Nigerian politics, economy and financial institution. Unfortunately, the Igbo elites fell into this trap, demonstrating a lack of foresight by instructing Igbo youth to abstain from the ongoing protests.

By remaining neutral, the Igbo elites risk perpetuating their own marginalization, rather than capitalizing on the shifting political landscape to advance their own agenda.

I understand the fear of the Igbo people. Having once been bitten by a poisonous snake, it’s natural to be cautious around a pit of vipers. However, unconscious fear can be paralyzing in Nigerian politics. It’s time for the Igbo elites to overcome this debilitating fear and take control of their own destiny.

The Yoruba Playbook

During times of crisis in the country, a familiar narrative often emerges, with some Yoruba elites pointing fingers at the Igbo community as a scapegoat. This pattern has repeated itself in the current protest, where some notable individuals, including members of the Tinubu administration, are reverting to a familiar playbook. 

This approach aims to portray the Igbo as a force against national peace, unity, and stability, thereby solidifying alliances with other groups, especially the North, against a perceived common adversary – the Igbo people. 

This political dynamic can be seen as a classic case of “my friend’s enemy must be my enemy,” where pre-existing biases and alliances influence one’s perspective and actions.

A thorough analysis of historical events exposes a disturbing pattern of treachery and manipulation by Yoruba elites, characterized by deliberate actions aimed at subjugating the Igbo to third class citizens. 

These actions have had far-reaching consequences, including the instigation of violent massacres against Igbo people in the Northern region during the pogrom, which ultimately culminated in the catastrophic Biafra war. 

Furthermore, the Yoruba elites’ betrayal and collaboration with Northern forces to prosecute the war and impose draconian measures has left a lasting legacy of suffering, with many of these punitive policies still in effect today.

The weaponization of starvation during the war, the post-war confiscation of Igbo bank assets and properties, coupled with the implementation of policies designed to marginalize and suppress the Igbo, are all testaments to the Yoruba elite’s duplicitous nature.

In light of this historical precedent, it is clear that the Yoruba elites have been playing both sides against each other, literally burning the candle from both ends, fueling the animosity between the Igbo and Hausa-Fulani. This has only served to further their own interests, while the Igbo continue to suffer the consequences. 

This dark history underscores the need for a critical reevaluation of the Yoruba-Igbo dynamic and its ongoing impact on Nigerian politics. It is imperative that the Igbo people awaken to this reality and recognize the Yorubas as their true nemesis. This is just the uncomfortable truth.

While this does not absolve the Hausa-Fulani of their own culpability in scapegoating the Igbo, it highlights the complex dynamics at play in Nigeria’s political context, which the Igbo must adjust to. 

To effectively do so, Igbo elites must move beyond their historical perceptions of the North and instead, forge a new political path that converges their interests with those of the North, prioritizing the collective good of the nation. 

By redefining their political identity and forming strategic alliances, the Igbo can break free from the constraints of past narratives. This shift will enable them to become key drivers of a unified and prosperous Nigeria, rather than remaining vulnerable passengers in the nation’s journey.

In this context, pragmatic alliances and strategic partnerships are necessary to advance the interests of the Igbo and the nation as a whole. This proposed alliance between the Southeast and the North is not divisive but a strategic way to neutralize the imbalance and unfairness in the way the Igbo people have been treated since the post-war Nigeria.

The time is now.

This proposal recognizes that, in the face of competing interests and rivalries among the three major geopolitical groups, sometimes the most effective strategy is to choose the lesser of two evils and work towards a more equitable future. In this political context, the North is a lesser evil.

What’s In It For The Igbo? 

Aligning with the North presents a strategic opportunity for the Igbo to break free from the shackles of Yoruba manipulation and Igbo deprivation. By forming a united front with their erstwhile foes, the Igbo can begin to dismantle the structures of oppression that have held them back for so long. 

This alliance would also serve as a powerful counterbalance to Yoruba influence, enabling the Igbo to reclaim their rightful place in Nigeria’s socio-political position, including the presidency. 

If left to the Yoruba elites’ whims, the Igbo will never produce a president in Nigeria. The only way to break this curse is to form a strategic alliance with the North, now that Northern elites have acknowledged the Yoruba elites’ destructive tendencies. 

This alliance would empower the Igbo to shatter the barriers that have denied them the presidency and ensure a more equitable distribution of power in Nigeria. 

In sum, the Igbo people must shed their misguided perceptions and embrace a new paradigm. The Hausa-Fulani are not their inherent enemies; rather, it is the Yorubas who have masterminded their margination, aided and supported by some myopic Northern elites. 

By aligning with the progressive elements in the North, the Igbo can forge a brighter future, one where they are no longer held hostage by the treacherous whims of their so-called “friends.” The time for reckoning is now; the Igbo must wisen up and take control of their destiny.