THESE days, the quest for money takes precedence over the quest for truth. In retrospect, late Odumegwu Ojukwu’s failed attempt to lead the Igbos out of a united Nigeria should be a lesson for all and sundry, but, reverse is the case.
Those who fails to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. To all intents and purposes, Ojukwu’s efforts to actualise Biafra state were quite genuine and altruistic as opposed to the ill fated struggles of the present crop of agitators.
Asides, late Ojukwu’s intellectual endowments which were deployed to win the war can not be compared with those of mental Liliputians gallivanting empty grounds and pontificating over the issues which they were least qualified to comment on not to talk of dissecting same.
Comparatively, Ralph Uwazurike’s approach is more diplomatic than that of the stubborn tout and academic drop-out, Nnamdi Kanu. However, both of them got it wrong.
Liberation struggles in the modern world are embarked upon by those people who are not only trustworthy, but, have that clear vision and objectives which are suited towards promoting the interests of their people. Hence, it can only be brought about by people with sound intellects and thorough knowledge of political history. It is not for the people whose antecedents are not worthy of being propagated when it comes to knitty gritty.
The two arrow heads are not qualified to lead the struggle, even and if, it is necessary. Moreso, Igbo nation parades more credible and highly intelligent men and women who are eminently qualified to lead the struggle. Essentially, there exists world class diplomats, historians, political scientists, finance experts and the related who are imbued with the cest and ethos which are required to actualise the pet project.
At this juncture, it is worth asserting that there is no basis for any secession.This aptly inform the decision of the elites from the zone to distance themselves from this white elephant project. Most of the reasons adduced to justify the imperativeness of the liberation struggle are not only weak and incompetent, but, pedestrian in nature.The much taunted cries of marginalisation are common anthems of all the geo-political zones.What else?
The agitations for the actualisation of Biafra state by the duo of Uwazurike and Kanu have given them undeserved fame and monetary gains.The overzealous politicians who are desirous of using their platforms to win elections have been doling out cash to them. Also, the groups are identified as Igbo militias. Therefore, they have been going round coercing the noveau riches and the middle class to make financial inputs into the struggle. Most of those in this system have no feasible means of livelihood.
It is equally disheartening and nauseating to note that the militias are hirelings in the land disputes where they are ready tools in the hands of the highest bidders. Some of them have constituted themselves into kidnap gangsters terrorising their innocent kinsmen and women for huge pecuniary benefits. Are we morally bound to describe the liberation struggles of these men as genuine and altruistic? No, theirs are for selfish motives.
It is my conviction that the confused youths who are being misled by the arrowheads of the agitation should be wiser now. Application of violence is now a démodé way of pressing home one’s demands. Albeit,violence begets violence. But, the costs in terms of human casualties are enormous. It behoves on all of us that the clever Kanu has since located his immediate family members overseas. If the bubble eventually bursts, he is armed with his own visa and other relevant travelling documents. Those in support of his rascality have nothing to fall back on.
To wit, his co-accused are still languishing in jail while reprieve has come his way through bail. If he is truly committed to the liberation struggle,I wondered the reason why he has not insisted on bail for others as a condition for his own temporary freedom too.
Charity, they say, begins at home. The constitutional democracy in Nigeria has offered all the components therein fair and very wide representations in governance. Governors, legislators, local government chairmen, commissioners, ministers and the like abounds in all the states.
They are saddled with the primary duty of promoting our welfare interests. As such, it is our duty too, to monitor them to ensure that they do the needful instead of resorting to violence over feigned marginalisation claims.
The South-Sudan example has even proven to the world that the sovereignty of Igbo nation may be another commencement of blood letting and senseless genocide in the struggle for political power. To this end, let us all stand for the united Nigeria and uphold her glory.
ƥ Akeem Adebiyi writes from Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.
