₦airaland Forum

DOES THE PYTHON REALLY DANCE?
BY SIR DON UBANI; KSC, JP, OKWUBUNKA OF ASA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTRE FOR EQUITY AND ERADICATION OF RURAL POVERTY.
13TH SEPTEMBER, 2017.

No doubt, there is not only tension in the South-East of Nigeria but visible fear in the region, especially in Abia State and to narrow it further, Aba.

This is sequel to observance of an exercise code-named Operation Python Dance 11 by the Nigerian Army.

It appeared to have started last Sunday, 10th September, 2017 when the troops involved in the operation were said to have stormed the country-home of the Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra; Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at Afara-Ibeku in Umuahia, capital of Abia State.

There is much in a name. For those of us who are Igbo, the name someone we come into contact with bears could make or mar our relationship with such a person.

Except to the intellectually bereft, a name is capable of conveying impressions.

When the Army chose a name as code of operation, those who are reasonable should read in between lines to decode what the name implies.

The Python is a big reptile that kills it's prey via constriction rather than by injecting venom.

The Python is an obligate carnivore. It strikes and grips its prey animal with it's teeth and pull it towards it.

As this is happening, it starts coiling around the prey animal.

Constriction kills the prey animal by asphyxiation. This means the python subjects it's prey to such terrible situation that it ends up being choked up through deprivation of oxygen.

When the python feels it's prey animal has stopped struggling, it would release it and begin searching for it's head to commence swallowing.

I have done this brief explanation for our people to appreciate what has come to us.

Our people should not again behave like Chinua Achebe's Ezeudu in Arrow of God who failed to realize the strength of the invading white man.

Our brother, Nnamdi Kanu and his Indigenous People of Biafra are making a very genuine case.

Their agitation is almost every body's quest.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on his return from his 105-day medical vacation in London, said Nigeria's unity is 'settled and not negotiable'.

I strongly believe the President got it wrong. Nigeria's unity is not settled but must be negotiated.

Why should it not be negotiated when the Hausa/Fulani controlled Military imposed on Nigerians a constitution that is not their desire?

Why must Buhari insist that Nigeria's unity can not be negotiated when the military has unduly unilaterally subjected Nigerians to Unitarianism as against federalism which our founding fathers collectively agreed and settled for?

On what basis does President Buhari want the people of Southern Nigeria to have confidence in the National Assembly to address glaring constitutional inequities, injustices and imbalances when creation of states and local government areas that produced the legislators was deliberately skewed to give perpetual advantage to the North against the South?

Mr President must know that the unity of Nigeria, just like any other nation, can not be held and sustained by coercion, using the military.

Our unity can only be guaranteed through dialogue and mutual understanding.

I strongly believe in Nigeria. A united Nigeria is most advantageous to the Igbo. It gives us a very wide space to showcase and exploit our God-given enterprise maximally.

I am a Biafran; a Biafran of the mind, a Biafran by philosophy. I do not want to be a Biafran of physical or geographical expression.

The Youruba are asking for, no, insisting on return to fiscal federalism. Their Mega Rally at Ibadan on 7th of this month was a collective and unambiguous expression to that effect.

It was a gathering of who is who in Youruba land. Even the radical youthful Youruba Liberation Command that had agitated for Oduduwa Republic was there. But at the end, all unanimously settled for fiscal federalism.

The people of Niger Delta are also asking for fiscal federalism. Resource Control is merely a synonym for fiscal federalism.

A united restructured Nigeria will be the best thing that could happen not only to Nigeria but Africa and, indeed, the Black race.

The North should stop being afraid of restructuring due to not having oil or access to a sea-port. If Nigeria is restructured, as it is bound to be, the North, with its vast land and solid mineral resources, would stand tall in internal revenue generation.

I want to appreciate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for the quantum of consciousness and awareness he has raised, not only among the Igbo but amongst Nigerians in general.

However, I urge him to change tactics. We do not need to be confrontational, though he has never preached it.

We should rely strongly on advocacy and democratic methodologies.

We should also partner with regions that feel the pains we feel.

The Python is here and is no friend to any prey. It does not dance for our comfort. Let us be wise as to avoid asphyxiation.

Okwubunka of Asa.

Your analogies is skewed and incorrect, Python cant dance, Python remain motionless in a camouflaged position, and then strike suddenly at passing prey. They will generally not attack humans unless startled or provoked,

The only good snake that dance is cobra.

This FG strategy is trying to cause food shortage strategy that subdue the East in 1967 unrest.

the fight is not in my backyard this time, for now.. i will be watching to see if the python can dance. Igbo need to wise up