"I don't think the British are to blame for Nigeria's ethnic problems. Nigeria was already like this before we came. We didn't make the Hausa people believe in the religion of peace."
Azikiwe once studied in the United States. Alan Wilson mentioned this experience and related it to how he opposed the British. It can be said to be very serious in nature. The second paragraph mentioned the ethnic issues currently facing Nigeria.
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"There is no doubt that the Hausa people, as the majority ethnic group, should have greater power. This is in line with the basic rules of democratic politics, the minority obeys the majority. I think it is responsible to put the future of Nigeria in the hands of the Hausa people
Yes, it’s also the best result.”
"Of course there is not only one way. Just as British India turned hostile after the partition, some voices believe that to avoid this tragedy, readjust some colonies and adopt a partition strategy to avoid this. This is not unreasonable."
While flipping through the information, Alan Wilson said these words in a very soft voice, and his expression was very reasonable. It could even be said to be sincere. That's what he thought.
With the arrival of the person concerned, the political memory in Alan Wilson's mind was also awakened, and he remembered that Azikiwe was indeed the founding father of Nigeria, which was correct.
But there is something else, that is, after independence, Nigeria was indeed controlled by the Igbo people at the beginning. The Igbo people even felt that it was not enough. Democratic politics gave the other two ethnic groups opportunities. It was better to implement a military government model and launch a military coup.
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After the military coup, the army was used to defeat the forces of other ethnic groups and build a complete Nigeria to complete its development.
But the Igbo themselves are the smallest in area and population among the three ethnic groups. The weakest one actually started a military coup. Don't blame other ethnic groups for doing the same. Once such an example occurs, whoever has the bigger fist will win.
The station is in order.
Eventually Nigeria fell into the hands of the Hausa military government with Yoruba Obasanjo as its core.
Obasanjo is a Yoruba man and a Christian himself, but the military forces surrounding him are mainly Hausa.
The Hausa people themselves are the largest ethnic group in Nigeria. Unlike the Igbo people who gather at all levels of government, the Hausa people are the main source of soldiers. In fact, at the beginning, the senior military officials were mainly Igbo people. But most of the low-level officers
The dominant Hausa people went through several coups and eliminated the Igbo forces.
From this we know that Obasanjo was not without skill when he ruled Nigeria. The Yoruba people he belonged to were not officials in Nigeria like the Igbo people during the British period, nor were they military officers like the Hausa people.
of the majority.
But in the end, it was Obasanjo who dismantled the zoning management based on the three major ethnic groups and suppressed the ethnic conflicts in Nigeria. Of course, the suppression was limited to his term of office.
Listening to Alan Wilson's analysis and threats, Azikwe couldn't help but retort, "Nigeria is a whole, and everyone is Nigerian."
"Oh, Nehru and Ali Jinnah said the same thing back then. Sukarno, who was causing trouble for the Dutch, also said the same thing. Did you guys discuss it together?" Alan Wilson chuckled and said to himself, "After all, you want to
To be the founding father of a country, it is not incomprehensible to be greedy for profit. Telling lies with open eyes is a necessary skill. Mr. Azikiwe, you must be a good leader while you are alive."
This was not a death threat, Alan Wilson was sincere and that's what he meant.
The two people had very different positions and naturally had little in common. However, Azikiwe soon discovered that this official from London was very frank. Although some of the things he said were unpleasant, from the current British perspective, they were completely doable.
Arrived.
For example, before leaving, giving control of Nigeria to any of the three major ethnic groups. In fact, the main threat to the Igbo people is the Hausa people, who have different religions and are larger in number.
Of course, this kind of frankness is based on deterrence. Alan Wilson said that the Igbo people currently represented by Azikiwe made demands for autonomy when the British King just passed away and the Crown Prince had not yet ascended the throne, which made London very unhappy.
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Azikiwe explained that this was a spontaneous call and was not meant to upset London at this time.
"Oh, that's it!" Alan Wilson finally felt that this Pan-Africanist seemed to be unable to communicate. He changed his tone and said, "Mr. Azikwe, do you expect the UK to help you eliminate Nigeria?"
National conflicts? And then take the responsibility for all the killings? Let the whole world criticize Britain? And then give you the whole of Nigeria? No way?"
"I think under normal circumstances, without your Pan-African wishful thinking, you should know which nation will be in the hands of Nigeria after the British leave. Otherwise, let's try? Let's have a democracy before the British leave.
Elections? Let’s see who wins? How about we just hand Nigeria over to this nation?”
Azikiwe hesitated to speak, and finally opened his mouth and said nothing. It was not that he had no rebuttal. He just felt that his own proposition would not necessarily lead to victory in the election.
"What I don't want to see is that if the Igbo people still don't cooperate, the United Kingdom will not mind handing over British Cameroon to France. I believe that in exchange for this condition, France will support the United Kingdom in West African affairs.
It’s a piece of cake.”
Alan Wilson stared at Azikwei maliciously and said, "You and I both know what this means. If you make trouble again, I will do it. Don't regret it when the time comes."
British Cameroon only occupies a small piece of Cameroon. Cameroon itself was a German colony and was divided between Britain and France after the war. The French piece accounted for more than 90% of the original Cameroon. The British piece was a cross-section of the Igbo people.
place of residence.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! Alan Wilson mentioned handing over British Cameroon to France. There is no doubt that the result is that the Igbo people, who have the smallest number among the three major ethnic groups, have a population similar to that of other peoples.
The two nations cannot be compared.
"Mr. Azikiwe, think about it carefully. Don't think that because you have studied in the United States, you can really fight for independence from the United States. France paid the price of having its king beheaded when it sent an expeditionary force to fight the British army in North America.
, if you want to follow suit, see if there is another France willing to do this."
"Even if there is!" Alan Wilson changed the subject and said maliciously, "The Royal Navy can send two battleships over, fire a few rounds of salvos at the city of Lagos below, and then walk away.
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If someone asks Alan Wilson if he is happy now, of course he is happy. Speaking like this in front of a leader of the Founding Father level has fulfilled one of his dreams. Once upon a time, he also wanted to speak like this in front of Nehru.
But the most important thing at that time was to maintain stability and ensure the maximum interests of British India in the last period.
If it were now, he would not have such scruples. Although he accused the future founding father of Nigeria for a long time, when Ingram came in, the two of them still sat facing each other.
"Alan, the information you want." Ingram sent in information about Nigeria's development plan.
"No problem!" Alan Wilson nodded, then placed the information in front of Mr. Azikwe and said, "According to our observation, Nigeria is not suitable for autonomy at present. If hasty decisions are made to intensify conflicts, there is a risk of civil war.
, this is the precedent of the Indo-Pak war. The current idea of the British colonial government is to carry out a development plan for the gathering areas of the three major ethnic groups. The core purpose is to complete the development plan formulated by the colonial government. Whoever can complete it best will prove themselves.
With the ability, we will leave the future of Nigeria in the hands of whom.”
"The premise is that all the materials needed must be imported from the UK and replaced with Nigerian raw materials. Mr. Azikwe can understand that it is a test. I still believe that the Igbo people have the advantage. If in the end the Igbo people win
The best result is that in five years' time you will talk to London and formulate an autonomy plan. In the first five years, we will still have to supervise the political situation in Nigeria. In this way, we will come up with a mature response method, and Nigeria can officially become independent.
"
Seeing Azikiwe's hesitation, Alan Wilson said in a sinister tone, "It seems I'd better talk to the Hausa people. The French must also hope that Britain will return Cameroon."
"This is a mature and responsible plan. Of course we are very willing to accept it. This can also prove the capabilities of the Igbo people." Azikwe immediately agreed after hearing this, "We can show it to the whole of Nigeria.
The experience of people running Nigeria.”
"Mr. Azikiwe, don't force yourself. If you think you are being forced, you can just say it." Alan Wilson lit a cigar and said with smoke, "Of course, if you say it, I won't change it."
of."
Azikwe pushed up his glasses, and his seemingly wise eyes behind the lenses were sincere, "It's not forced at all."
If the Northern People's Congress Party approves this development plan, he will not even have a chance to regret it.
"Very good, I will stay in Nigeria for half a month. After finishing this matter, I will go to the Gold Coast." Alan Wilson looked at the time and asked proactively, "Do you want to stay for afternoon tea?"
Of course, Azikiwe understood that Alan Wilson had issued an eviction order, so he decisively stated that he still had something to do and left the administrative office.
"How was the discussion?" Ingram waited until the person left before coming in to ask about the progress.
"Looks pretty good. I heard he is a media person. I learned a saying in the East that it takes three years for a scholar to rebel. A so-called independent leader who plays with pens is only at that level." Alan Wilson said with a smile on his face.
He said disdainfully, "But I hope that all independent leaders in Africa will be of this level."