Chapter 660 London Is Unhappy

"I don't think the British are to blame for Nigeria's ethnic problems. Nigeria was already like this before we came. It was not us who made the Hausa people believe in the religion of peace."

Azikwe 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. .

"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, adjusting some colonies and adopting a partition strategy can 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, Alan Wilson's political memory was also awakened in his mind, and he remembered that Azikwe 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. .

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 be the one to take control.

Eventually Nigeria fell into the hands of the Hausa military government with Yoruba Obasanjo at 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. However, the Hausa people, who were mainly low-level military officers, 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 belongs to are neither like the Igbo people who were officials in Nigeria during the British period, nor like the Hausa people who were the majority in the military.

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 one, 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's words were sincere and he meant them that way.

The two people had very different positions and naturally had little in common. However, Azikiwe soon discovered that the 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 more numerous.

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. .

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, so he changed his tone, "Mr. Azikiwe, do you expect the UK to help you eliminate Nigeria?" National conflict? And then take responsibility for all the killings? Let the whole world lash out at 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. How about we try? Let's have a democracy before the British leave. Elections? Let’s see who wins? How about we leave Nigeria in the hands of this nation?”

Azikiwe hesitated to speak, and finally opened his mouth and said nothing. It was not that he had no rebuttal. I just feel that my opinions may not necessarily win in the election.

"What I don't want to see is that if the Igbo people still don't cooperate, the UK will not mind handing over British Cameroon to France. I believe that in exchange for this condition, France will support the UK in West African affairs. It’s a breeze.”

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 part of Cameroon. Cameroon itself was a German colony and was divided between Britain and France after the war. Among them, the French part exceeds 90% of the original Cameroon. The UK is the cross-border settlement of the Igbo people.

Alan Wilson mentioned handing over British Cameroon to France. There is no doubt that the result is that the Igbo people, who are the smallest among the three major ethnic groups, have a population that cannot be compared with the other two ethnic groups.

"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. 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 leave with a pat on the butt. .”

If someone asks Alan Wilson now if he is happy, of course he is happy. Speaking like this in front of a leader with the level of the founding father 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 blamed the future 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 the development plan for Nigeria.

"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 India-Pakistan 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 put 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 outcome is that in five years' time you are negotiating with London to formulate an autonomy plan. In the first five years, we will still have to supervise Nigeria's political situation so that we can come up with a mature response and Nigeria can become officially independent. "

Seeing Azikwe's hesitation, Alan Wilson said in a sinister tone, "It seems that 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, then 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 have to 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 that he is a media person. I learned a saying in the East: 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."