Unlike Father Ejike Mbaka, who said if Nigeria cannot be united then it should divide, a prominent Niger-Del­ta leader, Rear Admiral Mike Onah (rtd), says that Nigeria’s disintegration is not the best option.

Onah, the President of Ndokwa Leaders Forum, argued that genuine and lasting peace can only be achieved if true federalism is accepted.

Speaking in an interview with The Sun, he explained that Nigeria needn’t break-up.

“People are agitating because some people are fed up with what is happening in the country, like what I said, if we practice true federalism, nobody will agitate for a break up. You see in fact the strength we have in the country is a big advantage to this nation.

“The population, the landmass, the natural resources, the human resources, these are big advantages to the country. And I do not agree that breaking up is best solution. All we should fight for is to do right thing, America is large and they practice true federalism and everybody is comfortable living there, so I think we should not be fighting ourselves or break into places where if I want to go to North then I will look for visa to enter into another country or to obtain visa whereas since we were born, we have all been living together as one.

“Okay since the amalgamation in 1914 that is quite a long time by Lord Lugard, we have been living together as one. So, if we practice true federal­ism, then everybody will be comfortable in any state he/she wants to stay.

“Yes, it is very easy, as I said before God will not come down to help us. For example, in America, they are practicing true federal­ism, they are human beings like us. We are also very educated in this country.

“Many of us in positions of authorities over eight per­cent studied abroad. If other countries can do it why can’t we make it if not because of our selfishness and corruption, there is no reason true federalism cannot be achieved.

“We are talking about federal constitution whereas in our administration set up it is unitary and that is one of the greatest problems that we are facing in this country. So, we have to practise true federalism and if we practise true federal­ism a lot of peace will come to this country, there will be less agitations.”