BIAFRA AND ITS CAUSE

Written by Lucas Anuforo

Email: peter.lemachi@yahoo.com

"When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw."...Nelson Mandela

"Those who do not move do not notice their chain."...Rosa Luxemburg

In an establish State where some section of the country start to be vocal or inquisitive on some sensitive issues which militate their wellbeing such as marginalisation or hegemony of power by a particular race or ethnic within the same territory certainly, things are not really well with such nation.

A nation that craves for development and strong union should carry everyone along irrespective of language, colour, race, creed, ethnic diversity, religion, cultural values or sexual orientation. In essence the country in question should practise an equitable distribution of wealth, equal opportunities and procrustean development where every individual will see each other as equal more so where no ethnic, race or group of persons should see the country as patrimony or 'born to rule syndrome.'

Since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 by the then imperial government of Britain the consequences of it was the country being forced into sham marriage between the three ethno groups mainly the north, west and east. Basically these were three separate countries with different religion and cultural values coming together as one nation but consequently, failed to manage their differences as an entity instead, what it witnessed was war, hatred, ethnicity, tribalism, nepotism and corruption. These vices were what characterised to the birth of Biafra which led to the thirty months bloody civil war against the Nigerian government from (1967 to 1970).

The post civil war era of the late 1960s-1970 created odium within the fabric of Nigerian society the Igbos were most victims of marginalisation hence they lost the war; it implies that they have no much role to play in the mainstream of events in the country both politically and economically.

However the civil war was a great set back to the Igbos just like the Jews holocaust in Auschwitz from (1938 -1945) where 6,000,000 Jews were exterminated. The holocaust is now a yearly remembrance across the globe which also becomes a sensitive issue to the Israelis you dare not, make any contradictory statement, to falsify or alter the history of the Jews genocide unless you want to get yourself into trouble with Israeli government.

Ndigbo lost over one million of its citizens in the conflict. The war was a pogrom, ethnic cleansing and genocide carried out by the federal government of Nigeria. Some families' generations were totally wiped off from trace of history. Up till present, no account was given and no proper reconciliation despite the lip service of 'no 'victors no vanquish' and the (3Rs) initiated by the then federal government i.e. Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation which they never implemented. Till date the Igbo are still nursing the pains of the brutal war because the Nigerian government has not done enough to really reintegrate them back fully in the administrative governance of the country. No Igbo President since after 45 years of the end of the civil war. Does it mean that Ndigbo cannot produce a competent hand for the top job or is there in any part of the country's constitution which states or prohibits that those who lose war, will not ascend to the post of the presidency? These are questions that any right- thinking mind will ask.

All successive administrations in the past were intransigent on the Igbos seeing them as a threat to the national unity. It could be recalled that no successive administration were able to allow the Igbos to handle some sensitive administrative positions relating to the nation's security such as the Police Force; the Army the Air force and the Navy. The position of Inspector General (IG), the Army Chief of Staff, the Chief of Defence Staff, the position of the Naval Chief and the seat of the Chief Justice of the federation all these were reserved positions meant for the Yoruba, the Hausa and some ethnic minorities. Despite all these ill-treatments Ndigbo have been dauntless and pertinacious in the establishment of a strong union called NIGERIA. It was the recently, that the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan who confuted every doubt about the Igbos by giving them some of these key administrative positions still it wasn't enough to cushion the effect of the maltreatment on Ndigbo.

On the issue of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MOSSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) these pressure groups were founded on the platform of agitation based on the marginalisation of the Igbos. Many believed that the current demonstration shown by the youths of south-east and some part south- south were empowered and sponsored by some highly placed individuals. Thus one should be reminded that the world is now on cyber age and a global village where people are being inspired through online media, cable TV, the mobile devices. More so some events that had already taken place in other countries could serve as morale booster to further such agitation.

There are lots speculations about the pro Biafra benefactors who are living in mansions and driving exquisite cars while the youths are on the streets constituting nuisances and miscreants. Igbos youths are not the Amagiris or the Alaye boys that can be induce to be restive. An average Igbo youth knows what he/ she wants because they are serious minded and hardworking people by nature moreover they don't pay allegiance or obsequious to anyone even to their elders. Yes they can venerate but not when it comes in taking advantage of them or try to exploit an Igbo man he will bluntly refuse and will not succumb to such idea.

The demonstration shown by these youths on the street was not necessarily only for the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) but due to the long outstanding issues that relate to the wellbeing of the people of south-east which had been unattended for a long time. They did not vehemently, wake up and start demanding for Biafra state but because they've seen that the country has failed them in all facet of life and believed that it's time for them to take up the future in their own hands.

However the recent publication on Vanguard November 20/2015 captioned "Ohaneze disowned Biafra agitators, says Biafra died 1970." Going through the publication it now raises question about the genuineness and creditability of the Ohaneze. The question a rational mind will ask who are the so-called Ohaneze? Is it those that have given up their birth rights for just a plate of porridge or those who gallivant and make jaywalk to Aso Rock Abuja sourcing for menial contracts? Does the Igbos have credible leaders or is it those who impersonate themselves wearing red fez hats? If there is Ohaneze where were they when Igbo citizens were slaughtered in hundreds during the Kano riot? 

If there is Ohaneze why the 2nd Niger Bridge still remain uncompleted for such a long period of time? And if there is Ohaneze why all the roads in the south-east are in state of dilapidation? These are issues the name 'OHANEZE' should represent and not by denying the youths. Ohaneze is just political and not for the benefits of the Ndigbo they have no objective to start with thus a "mission without a vision is an illusion." They should borrow a leaf from AREWA Consultative Assembly or from Afanifere who have made good representation for their people. It is not surprise that the so-called Ohaneze will deny the Igbo youths because of the commitments they've made that south-east will continue to be perpetually underdeveloped in as much as their names are in Abuja payroll they don't care the plights of others.

The era of crushing and repression in order to silence popular opinion is over. Technology has change the way people view things. The internet age has changed the system of information dissemination. Today, an ordinary peanut hawker and other food vendors on the street could video and record every slight event in a matter of seconds and send it to world. The recent event is being closely watched by international community and the government should be very sensitive in handling the issue. Crushing MOSSOB and IPOB would not solve the problem but rather it may further more civil unrest. It is the duty of government to carry all ethnics along in line with constitution of the country which allowed every individual to have an opportunity that will result in an equal outcome regardless of the state or tribe he/she may come from.

No successive administration has ever addressed the issue of marginalisation because, it has been a clandestine issue hence the Hausa and the Yoruba are at the helm of affairs they give no hoot to other ethnics and presumed that everything is alright. No ethnic, race or tribe is indispensible. What formed the American Union today were different nationalities from all corners of the globe irrespective of colour, creed, religion or language. America consists of the Hispanics, the Latinos, the African- Americans, Irish Americans, the Native Americans etc that what makes United States the greatest country in the world. Each citizen's problem is the United State's problem regardless of colour.

The government should recognise that Ndigbo have made laudable contributions to the country's economy even after the civil war they were able to pick up their pieces and continued struggle for survival. The Igbos control almost all the commerce in the federation no state out of the 36 states in the country where Igbos have not made their domineering power present. They are gifted tribe just like the Jews who secretly control economy of the world.

However in order to pacify the restiveness of the youths the government should walk across all aisles and find solution through proper implementation of good framework that will create jobs with equal opportunities, uniform and sustainable development within all states of the federation. This is the only way the country can move forward in economic development. Nigeria will only develop and unite when leaders embrace love and shun ethnic divides. No country can survive two wars and no country will make a meaningful economic progress without proper planning for the youths. May God bless Nigeria!