TonyeBarcanista:
By @TonyeBarcanista



I have been silent on the issue of Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB for a while now but I think it is time to break the silence. Let me for the emphasis state that I am a full fledged apostle of the expression of the right of people to self-determination, but the agitation itself has some unwritten rules that must be maintained. The provocative actions of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his followers should no longer be taken for granted. Below are some of my reasons:

1. ESTABLISHMENT OF BSS IS AN AFFRONT TO THE STATE
The establishment of Biafra Security Service by Nnamdi Kanu, an outfit that is not regulated by any government organ (like in the case of local vigilante and private security outfit) is an affront to the State. A BSS that reports to NO ONE but a single individual, who report to no one but himself, is an affront to the federal republic. Some argued that they are armless, but do we have to wait for them terrorising civilians? We have to be proactive in this country. We can't wait until they start bearing arms to terrorise and perpetrate evil before we act. The establishment of the outfit itself is an illegality. Security Agencies are either created by the Constitution or Act of Parliament and are supervised and regulated by federal or state government (as the case may be). I read that BSS claim their are to fight against herdsmen in the Southeast, my question is under what authority? Wher will they take a suspect to upon arrest? Will it be in their own detention facilities or that of Kanu? Will they issue punishment without trial considering that they have no legal backing to prosecute suspects? How can the government sit and watch a group operating illegal and parallel security outfit?

2. OBSTRUCTION OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGN AND INCITE IS CRIMINAL
Nigeria Constitution, African Charter, United Nations Declarations and other international treaties guarantee "RIGHT/FREEDOM to conscience, hold opinion and association". These rights/freedoms are not subject to negotiation; preventing an individual or group from exercising his or hers is considered a criminal offence.

We have seen videos of IPOB members preventing and obstructing some politicians that are not aligned with their struggle from exercising their legitimate right to freely campaign and solicit for votes in the forthcoming election in Anambra state. They did it to state Governor Willie Obiano and another politician under PPA, which is undemocratic and criminal. As much as they have their right to their agitation, their right ends when it infringes on that of another citizen.

What about the inciting words of Nnamdi Kanu calling his supporters to "resist" any attempt to arrest him for breaking his own bail condition.

3. ATTACK ON CIVILIANS IN OYIGBO IS TERRORISM:
I was informed by an associate that there was attack on people of Northern extraction by IPOB loyalists yesterday in Oyigbo area of Rivers state but not Portharcourt or other areas of the state. Such incident has cancelled the sentiment of IPOB Youths and their apologists that they are nonviolent. It shows that their nonviolent gimmick is simply rhetoric to shore up sympathy. There is no justification to attack civilians even in time of war (it is considered a war crime). Perhaps some of the cheerleaders on social media are ignorant of the consequence of that singular action but ignorance is no excuse to the law.

THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY
There is a thin line between a freedom fighting group and a terrorist organisation. Secessionists in Europe like the Catalonia people don't engage attack on innocent citizens that doesn't share their ideology. Any secessionist group that attacks other non conforming citizens within their territory is no longer a freedom fighting group but a terrorist organisation. The Catalans fighting for independence don't engage in terrorising individuals and groups that are pro-Spain unity. The people of Scotland didn't attack the English people during the period of agitation for secession. Even in 1966 when Isaac Adaka Boro led his group to secede Ijaw nation from Nigeria and at the peak of the attack from government troops on his group, it was never heard nor written that civilians (irrespective of their sentiment) were attacked. Only terrorist organisations like Boko Haram and ISIS would attack real and perceived sympathisers of those they consider their "oppressors"/rivals.

It is time for the government to act and bring troublemakers to justice. Government must act to curb the excesses of Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB group. They have the right to their agitation but they don't have the right to display insanity. I am always for justice irrespective whose ox is gored. I spoke against the attack on Igbos in Bayelsa, condemned the October 1st Ultimatum given to Igbo in the north and condemned the counter ultimatum issued by a group of faceless clowns that called themselves Niger Delta Agitators on Yorubas/North, I can't afford to keep silent this time. Nobody is bigger than the law.

Those that believe that the Southeast should have their Biafra should do so within the confines of the law and international standard, anything beyond that is call for trouble.

They have the right to boycott elections (just like MASSOB has been doing since 2003) but they have no right to obstruct campaign and political activities, they have no right to issue threats to prospective voters nor stop voting process. They have the right to be angry against the government and the military but they have NO RIGHT to pour their frustration on people of Northern extraction or any other citizen irrespective of sentiment. They have the right not to recognize Nigeria Police and any other security outfit but they have no right to establish their military/police wing (and still claiming armless). Nigeria belongs to all of us, we all have right to be angry over the sad situation of our country, but we have the duty to properly channel our grievances without inflicting injury on people.

We don't have to wait for reprisals before we do what is appropriate, government must act now.




May God Bless Us All And Bless Nigeria

Kanu has no agender for for the Southeast and Biafra. I watched the video where he was solicitating for Ibos in USA to give him weapons to destroy the Zoo and all the questions they asked him, he couldn't answer yet he want people to support him.

I pity those that are following him