Nobel Laureate , Prof Wole Soyinka , has
backed those who are calling for a
renegotiation in the country , the Professor
made this known on Friday in Yenagoa,
Bayelsa State .
He said this in Yenagoa, during a colloquium
with the theme : “ A day with the Nobel
laureate , Prof. Wole Soyinka and Ijaw literary
icons ” , held at the Ijaw National Academy,
Kaiama, Bayesla State , and moderated by
renowned poet , Odia Ofeimun.
At the event which was also graced by other
literary giants including Dr . Gabriel Okara , Prof
Ebiegberi Alagoa and Prof John Pepper Clark ,
Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson
said Nigeria ’ s unity is negotiable .
Soyinka said , “ My response is simple . We
must stop confusing and mixing up the
argument, we are mixing up the argument. It is
very unfortunate for our leaders to say that the
question of breaking up or not breaking up
should not arisen in the first place . It all
sounds hypocritical , dogmatic and dictatorial.
The statement is the unity of Nigeria is non
negotiable , now that to me, is a falsititude.
“ Anything is negotiable , the right for people to
determine their future is what is non-
negotiable . Most nations came to being
through negotiation.
“ Sometimes , when people say negotiate, what
they really mean is restructuring. What the
question should be : should Nigeria break up?
My answer to that is no , but please don’ t tell
me that Nigeria , as it stands is non-
negotiable . For me, this is a fallacy .
“ The nation has got to be negotiated,
negotiation includes ensuring that there is no
marginalisation. Negotiation means control of
resources, negotiation has to do with
restructuring a nation in a way that the
components and constituents are not feeding
an over bloated centre to the detriment of their
development. The language we should use is
what are you willing to sacrifice? what effort
are you willing to make to ensure Nigeria
remains intact? That is the question. ”
Also speaking , Dickson said while the unity of
Nigeria is desirable and negotiable , aggrieved
nationalities should sit down and dialogue .
“ Nigeria ’ s unity is negotiable and desirable .
The answer on whether to break up is no.
There is a desire to stay as one. Ask
questions about what is happening, there are
several things to negotiate.
“ If we can control our resources, we will do
more for our people . All we need to do , is to
talk about our existence , our living together.
Let ’ s sit down and talk . ”
