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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / FG Reawakening The Biafran Spirit (684 Views)
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FG Reawakening The Biafran Spirit by zuchyblink(m): 5:49pm On Aug 17, 2015 |
When an orphan is treated so badly by his
adopters, it's only natural that he recoils and
then remembers his late parents. 'If his
parents were still alive', he bemoans,
'perhaps he would have been treated in a
better way'.
The end of the Nigeria/Biafra civil war
ushered in some new hopes for a better
tomorrow. In its wisdom, the government
of the day led by General Yakubu Gowon
declared "no victor, no vanquished"
implying that the 'defeated' Eastern Region
will not be treated as a defeated people. To
give this promise a semblance of truth and
sincerity, General Yakubu Gowon quickly
announced a 3R policy of Reconciliation,
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation for the
people of the Eastern Region. The question
that bugs discerning minds is: how far has
the Eastern Region truly been reconstructed
from the ruins of the civil war fought in
their own land for three odd years? Have
they been rehabilitated 45 years after the
war and have they really been reintegrated
into the Nigerian project as equal
stakeholders in a genuine reconciliation?
The answers to these mind bugging
questions if given an objective appraisal
will be in the negative.
As years rolled by, the wounds and scars of
the civil war seemed to have been soothed
through various deliberate policies that, if
wholesomely administered, appear quite
equitable enough. Policies like the principle
of federal character found its way into the
constitution. Zoning arrangements
anchored on sharing political positions on
the basis of a six pod formula has become
part of our national life wielding very
strong influence. Unfortunately, deceit and
half-hearted measures have been adopted
in implementing these otherwise laudable
policies. Notwithstanding these semblances
of deceit and more importantly, the
Easterners, of their own volition chose to
forget the past and work for a united
Nigeria.
Over time, the hype about Biafra as a nation
went really low. Those trying to resurrect
the Biafran spirit were almost treated by
Igbos as mentally deranged persons,
myopic and self-serving. Many prominent
Igbos openly denounced such groups as
MASSOB, especially when their approach
takes the form of sounding the war drums.
It was as though the Biafran project is dead
and buried or at most, only a thing the
mind. Then suddenly, Buhari takes over as
the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
Since May 29 when Buhari took over, his
actions and inactions as well as body
language seems to have given life to the
nearly 'moribund' Biafran spirit. Whether
for the right, wrong or preemptive reasons,
there seems to be a new wave of solidarity
and reawakening of the Biafran spirit
occasioned by the actions and inactions of
the federal government. Biafran-
consciousness is gaining so much
prominence in the social media which has
proved in recent times to be a portent
platform for selling just anything to any
willing buyer. This is a dangerous trend and
whatever is giving vent and impetus to this
ought to be addressed rather than forcibly
suppressed.
The recent clamp down on Radio Biafra and
manhunt for those behind the project for
allegedly broadcasting inciting information
is not helping matters at all. Flagrant arrest
and prolonged detention of MASSOB
members even when they engage in
peaceful and armless rallies to ventilate their
angst as is being done in most democracies
is real cause for worry. All these are rather
fanning the embers of disquiet and
resurrecting the Biafranness in the Igbo
nation.
Although President Mohammadu Buhari is
yet to fully constitute his government, what
is thus far on ground has given Biafran
agitators real or imagined reasons to cry
foul. The inaugural speech of President
Buhari suggested that he would be "for all
and belong to none". But in reality, his body
language is more tilted to treating the Igbo
nation once more as a vanquished people
who should even be perpetually grateful to
the conquistadors for as much as not
outrightly enslaving them.
The case of the National Assembly principal
officers' zoning is still sizzling and may
have been already overflogged. Yet it
cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand.
Where is the spirit zoning in all of these? In
developed and most developing climes,
once the elections are over, government
and governance focuses on building
bridges and mending fences. It is no longer
'winner-takes-all' affair. National interest
now beclouds party and individual interest.
Do not mistreat an orphan, lest you remind
him of his late parents. The federal
government and Buhari must keep this in
mind as decisions on the remaining
appointments are being taken. The mistake
of giving room to the rekindling of the
Biafran spirit may have been made, yet, it
isn't too late to retract it.
Igbos are very rational people. If the
unfolding trend is reversed, the same Igbos
will caution nay singers amongst them.
Memories of Biafra will begin to fade again.
A united Nigeria will be more beneficial to all
ethnic nationalities than a dismembered
Nigeria no matter how anyone looks at it.
We need each other, let's live together as
one but a stitch in time will definitely save
nine.
Chukwudi Ohiri, (07052415807),
chuksohiri@yahoo.com |
Re: FG Reawakening The Biafran Spirit by missKiffy(f): 5:55pm On Aug 17, 2015 |
. |
Re: FG Reawakening The Biafran Spirit by zuchyblink(m): 6:04pm On Aug 17, 2015 |
missKiffy:Biafra is my country |
Re: FG Reawakening The Biafran Spirit by missKiffy(f): 6:05pm On Aug 17, 2015 |
zuchyblink:K |
Re: FG Reawakening The Biafran Spirit by c33b33(m): 6:16pm On Aug 17, 2015 |
You are talking with two sides of your mouth. Why will it be during Buhari's tenure a united nigeria will be good for everyone? A country that cannot implement a common Sovereign conference report due to tribal and religious sentiment from their supposed leader. Go ahead and preach but inform your leaders to allow the man on the street to decide his fate by referendum. IPOB Youth 1 Like 1 Share |
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