The South And The Politics Of Northern Death – When Humanity Bows To Politics
MAZI EJIMOFOR OPARA
The ethnic tension in parts of North Central Nigeria has snowballed into carnage. The blood-bath is almost becoming a part of our daily news bits, and we have grown our anticipation of it to a point where some persons buy newspapers and flip straight to the page where the latest human life is harvested, just to know the number harvested and the style of harvest reported. As sad as this is, the discourse has been reduced to a mere indicator of political correctness. The only sincere empathy is that which comes from the man who condemns a certain political party, political figure or political aspiration – humanity is nowhere in the mix.
The recent Plateau killing has further revealed that most analysts of the regrettable situation are more concerned with its implication for 2019 (elections) than the irreparable damage wreaked on humanity. I read an update on social media where the poster stated thus;
“There will be no peace in Benue and Plateau until they are fully repaid for their role in sabotaging Biafrans during the civil war”.
Another, from my once respected friend Chris McCool Nwosu, read;
“Do Nigerians still supporting PMB’s return in the face of GENOCIDE in parts of the country have blood running in their veins?”
These two submissions are espoused in different grammatical styles, albeit with the same nuanced message of insensitivity. A subliminal feeling of “I don’t care”, and a desperate determination to change the government and party in power. Not necessarily to change the mindset and sentiments that influences the killings.
The monster of insecurity has become the new hook to hold a government to ransom; build ill-feelings amongst electorates and show gory pictures of avoidable death if truly we care. This way, we hardly find lasting solutions to the problem. What you get, at best, are op eds and rejoinders, subs and clap backs, argument for and against party interests, statistics and counter-statistics. No tangible consideration for humanity.
While lives are lost in the North, politics is played in the South – it’s either PDP is back to power or nothing. I really feel for the young budding lives cut short by the monstrous swords of evil mercenaries. These killings are real, generated by a struggle for subsistence and livelihood. Truth is, they predate this political regime and must be stopped, not only by the guns but by a sincere resolve to redesign the local economies of both the Herder and the Farmer. Thanks to the social media for accentuating this once imagined crisis. However, my southern brothers must grow above this inhumane act of politicizing Northern death. This is about life. Every life matters. May humanity never bow to politics!
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