Radio Biafra is notorious for its rather controversial methods of attracting followers, however, more and more people join the movement every day – currently there are the protests ongoing in Rivers and Delta states, with the people calling for the immediate release of Kanu. Chukwuka Maximus explains the phenomenon of Kanu’s charismatic personality with the particular emphasis on why his questionable approach holds such an appeal for Nigerians.
One can say without fear of prejudice that Igbos lack unity of purpose. Ralph Uwazurike had championed the MASSOB group during Obasanjo’s administration only to let the group die a natural death when Jonathan came to power. I dare to assume that he might be paid to be quiet. Throughout Jonathan’s six-year era, no one heard about Uwazurike and the MASSOB, however, a few weeks after President Buhari’s inauguration Nnamdi Kanu floated Radio Biafra, notorious for spreading hate speeches against the government and other ethnic groups that were not part of the Republic of Biafra.
Every Nigerian, not necessarily from the former eastern region, feels excluded from the government. Therefore, any individual who gives them a message of hope is welcomed. This explains why Nnamdi Kanu has lots of followers. Moreover, there is nothing illegal about informing one’s ethnic group about the activities of the government. Almost every region across Nigeria has a radio station. However, what is illegal is the way Radio Biafra is spreading hate among Nigerians. Nothing good comes from planting a seed of animosity among the people, who, if Biafra is established, will become the neighbors.
Incependence is not always a solution
Nnamdi Kanu has charismatically sounded the battle trumpet. Analysts are of the opinion that he has orchestrated his own arrest to evaluate how popular he has become among the people. Only time will tell if his followers are active or passive about the Biafra dream. Nevertheless, Biafra or secession may not be the end of oppression, because even within the south-eastern and southern states the minority groups are being marginalized. The Anioma in Delta state were bent on creating Anioma state since probably Senator Ifeanyi Okowa assumed the office of the governor. The same happened with the Nsukka people in Enugu state; Adada state also disappeared. People naturally tend to leave the union where they are not recognized, unfairly treated or undervalued; this happens even in marriages. This natural urge is the bedrock of the Biafra struggle. Within the old eastern regions there are fears and trust dilemma that should be urgently addressed, otherwise the breakaway of Biafra will lead to the formation of the independent countries, too small to be significant. The Urhobo, Ejagbem, Efik, Bekwarra and Isoko will rather remain independent than become part of Eastern Nigeria – the Igbo are not considered worth of trust among these people.It is only the nymph in the world politics that insists on the war when there are the ways of reaching a benefiting compromise. We live in the 21st century; nowadays it is possible for the countries to play the active part in the internal crisis of another country, both with positive and negative intentions. The call to arms by the director of Radio Biafra is very unfortunate; it is even more pitiful that the Igbo youths are eagerly waiting to be drawn into a civil war they are not ready for. Libya, Syria and Egypt are the countries that thought a civil war would give them a better life. Gaddafi, who was believed to be an enemy, is gone; however, Libya is gradually turning into the Somalia of North Africa. Secession is not the solution. The Scottish people were convinced that independence was the best option for them, until a referendum was conducted. It is also worth pointing out that the Igbo have a lot to lose if Nigeria is divided. According to the statistics, the Igbo-owning property is predominantly located in Lagos and Abuja. The small-scale crisis in the North-East should have portrayed how vulnerable they are to the internal crises. After the indigenous people of the North-East, Igbos are the second largest losers in the war against the Boko Haram insurgency. What the Igbos need is inclusion in the government – the taste of the federal power will lay to rest the agitation for Biafra, just like the idea of Anioma and Adada states has faded away in Delta and Enugu respectively.
The need for reboot
The arrest of Nnamdi Kanu is a litmus test to the government, as it is now up to the DSS to decide: to make Kanu more popular by prolonging his detention, or to prove that Nigeria is not a “zoo” country without laws. The easiest way to do it is to come up with the counter ideology. Brute force will only make the Biafra adherents martyrs, and that will fuel the movement. Obviously, the war we need is not a battle against the Nigerian state. Unemployment, poor infrastructure and hunger are present not only in the South-East or South-South. Every Nigerian is a victim of the bad government. The children of the rich Igbo are not different from the children of the ruling Fulani or Yoruba elite. There is a conspiracy against those belonging to the lower class; the change in the government has not eliminated the gap, and a new country is also not likely to do it.With no doubt, people have a right to self-determination according the Charter of the United Nations and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and there are the civilized ways of exercising it. Calling anyone from Rivers, Delta or Cross River who does not believe in Biafra a bastard is way too much. Even if we need Biafra, we should not build it on the basis of hate, intolerance and arrogance. The Igbo and the people of the southern regions will be better off in a well-structured Nigeria built on fairness to all ethnic groups. We need a country with a well-designed reward and punishment system. Every state and local government in the country has a mini-Nigeria oppressing and intimidating other sections of that state or local government. Marginalization is a federal-level disease in Nigeria, and that is what we need to address.
Ubaka Chukwuka Maximus for Naij.com
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