By Justice Godfrey Okamgba
Preamble
The ambitious move by the Igbos to break away from NIGERIA and become a sovereign nation started many years ago. On this day 30th May 1967, (53 years ago) the Igbos declared their independence from Nigeria. After diplomatic efforts by Nigeria to reunite the country failed, the war between Nigeria and Biafra broke out in July 1967.
The de facto independent REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA ultimately surrendered after an estimated 3 million people were reported to have been dead. It was a colossal loss to the Igbos. Life became extremely tough, many people became homeless. Today will forever remain a remarkable day in the history of the Igbos and Nigerian at large.
The Journey Before Kanu’s Exile
Like Bob Marley said, “don’t forget your history, and remember your destiny.” This is the time to reflect on the journey so far. The agitation for Biafra still continues, irrespective of the unquantifiable damages it has cost the Igbos.
Quite simply, the momentum the agitation has gathered in recently is commendable and exhilarating. In all of these seemingly positive vibes, there is one person that stands out. That person is Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He took over from Ralph Uwazuruike, a man who was reported to have betrayed the trust and compromise the struggle for personal gains. From several indications thus far, Kanu has proven to be resilient, stiff-necked, and determined to actualize the sovereign state of Biafra.
The supposedly Prince of Afaraukwu Kingdom, in Umuahia, Abia State, could not attend the burial ceremony of his parents who were buried the same day. That is one of the prices he has paid fighting for freedom.
Prior to his exile, Kanu was arrested on treason and terrorism charges in Lagos, on 14 October 2015. The British citizen was detained for more than a year, despite various court orders that ruled for his release.
His innate guts, fearlessness, and confidence send chills down the spine of an average Nigerian. Even while in detention he roared like a lion, calling President Buhari a mad man. ”Tell Buhari he is a mad man, he cannot jail me.” A rare breed, I must say.
After a series of trials, Justice Binta Nyako eventually granted bail to Kanu on health grounds with 12 stringent conditions. One such condition is that the IPOB leader shouldn’t be found in a group of more than 10 people; grant interviews or even hold rallies. Without any iota of stupefaction, Kanu flouted many of his bail conditions with so much impunity.
He toured Umuahia, Abia State Capital with his IPOB members. In fact, there are recorded clips showing how Kanu and his group had clashed with Nigerian security operatives. This period, Umuahia gradually turned out to be a military zone.
Nnamdi Kanu’s Mysterious Escape From Nigeria
On the 12th of September 2017, the Nigerian soldiers laid siege to Afaraukwu, the country home of Kanu. The heavily armed men clashed with members of IPOB leading to the death of 15 persons, according to Guardian Nigeria.
There are videos made available on social media revealing how Nigerian Military shot sporadically in Afaraukwu. With the aid of his relatives, Kanu managed to escape the bloody tragedy that could have possibly took his life.
Several months passed by until the IPOB leader confirmed that he was smuggled out of Nigeria to Israel, the country, he described as the safest place at that time. Finally, Kanu settled in the UK where he currently does his live broadcast.
IPOB Leader’s Focus Since Exile
Kanu’s focus has been unraveling and disemboweling Nigeria with largely indisputable facts and evidence. Beyond every doubt, the IPOB leader has been a credible source of information to certain clandestine activities in NIGERIA. His researching prowess is mind-blowing. How he does it is somewhat befuddling.
His live broadcasts and social media posts have become an eye-opener; an educative and enlightenment dose for gullible Nigerians. Irrespective of all these invaluable insights from Kanu, where are we in the struggle for Biafra?
Kanu has continually and repeatedly talked about the death of Buhari. He had asserted without mincing words that Nigeria had Jubril, an impostor from Sudan as Nigeria’s President before he died in Cuba.
Again, he claims that the current person acting as Nigeria’s President is Aisha Buhari’s lover who has been using a hypersensitive facial mask. He talks about Nigeria’s missing Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; deceptive photoshopped pictures released by Femi Adesina; Fulanis invading the Igbo land, and many other allied matters in Nigeria.
One particular thing is missing – his strategic roadmap to restoring Biafra. What is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s game plan? Who are the most significant stakeholders in this course that he has engaged? What is the timeline for restoring Biafra?
What about the lawmakers – have they discussed this in the Nigerian Parliament? What is the position of Igbo leaders on this matter? These and many more questions are yet to be answered.
What Is Nnamdi Kanu’s Relationship With Igbo Leaders?
Kanu’s engagement with external bodies all over the world is well pronounced. But how fruitful would that be without engaging Igbo leaders? My proposal to Kanu is this, only the Igbos can give themselves Biafra. United Nations would not, Donald J. Trump would not, Boris Johnson would not. They will ask questions before any help can come from them.
IPOB leader on many occasions reprimands certain Igbo leaders who are obviously not interested inthe freedom fight. The restoration can only be actualized when Igbo leaders are ready to be in sync and pursue that course collectively.
Imagine, all the Igbo lawmakers both Upper and Lower Chamber, Ministers, Governors, Diplomats, Director Generals of all government parastatals converging to agitate for Biafra. Again, imagine them holding a peaceful discourse with other top Nigerian leaders.
Let’s even assume that President Buhari and other Northern Leaders decided to be unyielding, then Igbos can seek external support. This task could be achieved without even carrying arms.
It doesn’t matter what the 1999 Constitution stipulates. Nigerian leaders would unquestionably bow to pressure and forfeit the unscrupulous chant for ”One Nigeria”.
Historical facts and evidence have proven that Igbos have nothing in common with the Northerners. The biggest error was to have amalgamated these two different nations together in 1914.
Why Biafra Agitation May Further Prove Futile
Are you aware that IPOB was proscribed as a terrorist group? The biggest challenge to actualizing the BIAFRA SOVEREIGN STATE would be selfish aggrandizement. The Igbo elites who are supposed to spearhead this agenda have divergent interests.
Some have compromised in a bid for a political appointment. Some are gripped with the fear that the restoration of Biafra would mean losing their properties and investments outside the Igbo region. Some are interested in becoming the first Igbo President in 2023.
With all this variety of interests, it seems a herculean task to have all Igbo elites agree to this common goal. The least they could have done was to stop the NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT from declaring an unarmed group of people a terrorist group.
When the Nigerian military launched their Python Dance in Abia State, there was nothing exemplary from the Igbo leaders to stop that mess. It was all press releases from right, left, and center. Press releases do not solve anything. The bitter truth is that the Igbo aristocrats care less about the restoration of Biafra. Clearly, it has been the lower middle class and the poor that have been fighting this fight of freedom.
Conclusion
Don’t let MAZI NNAMDI KANU’s relentlessness and vocals becloud your logic. The dude has suffered in this struggle to get the Igbos liberated from the so-called “One Nigerian”.
The reality is that Kanu will get tired and frustrated if the current style doesn’t change. I don’t see Biafra restoration a feasible project if the IGBO LEADERS are not at the fulcrum of the course. It’s practically impossible.