The North/ Hausa were the first to consider breaking out from Nigeria:
In 1953, during the Governorship of Late. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the North considered peacefully breaking out from Nigeria colony.
The thought of the secession did not sit well with Late. Nnamdi Azikiwe so he gave a speech before the caucus of his political party, the National council of Nigeria and the Cameroons ( NCNC) in Yaba, Nigeria on May 12, 1953.
He gave a long speech on why there should be one Nigeria.
Though his speech did not stand against the division (secession), it emphasized on the disadvantages and consequences that would follow if the Northern Nigeria went their separate ways.
He was a strong believer of One Nigeria.
Ironically, 14 years after that meeting, Ojukwu led the Eastern region out of Nigeria and Biafra was created and headed by Ojokwu after the counter coup that claimed the life of thousands and thousands of unarmed Igbo civilians.
The Northern Nigeria after taking over power did not want Nigeria to split anymore, so they went after Biafra and this led to the brutal 3- years civil war.
Till date, The Igbos believe that Nnamdi Azikiwe’s 1953 decision on running a unitary government has caused more harm than good to the Igbos.
