WHY MOST BIAFRANS AND OTHER NIGERIANS ARE OPPOSED TO THE AGITATION FOR BIAFRA.
By Mike Ikem Umealo he wrote
In a country like Nigeria, I suppose it is not surprising to say that very few people who are opposed to the Biafran agitation actually understand what is at stake. And I believe that even those other hundreds of thousands who support the agitation by all means, including war, may actually be doing so half-heartedly, confused and filled with doubts.
In truth, what Biafra stands for is an ideal which if actively and positively pursued has the capacity to change Nigeria. Yet, this has not happened.
Instead, the lack of any sustainable intellectual engagement and foresight has allowed the agitators to label those of us who are opposed to the idea of an Independent Nation state to be called Biafra as anti-Igbos, saboteurs or sell outs; this is not right.
Ideally, Every Nigerian Should Support What BIAFRA Ought To Genuinely Represent because, if the South East is marginalised, then, the whole of Nigeria is marginalised; South East is part of Nigeria. Therefore, the issue is a struggle against MARGINALISATION" for all Nigerians and not "INDEPENDENCE" for a part of Nigeria.
Since the end of the war to date, Igbos, as well as Yorubas and of course Hausas and people from other tribes, have served in their good numbers in every single administration and government that has ruled Nigeria. Right from 1960, the leaders who have ruled and ruined Nigeria were gathered from every single tribe and from every state in Nigeria. At each stage, Every tribe contributed their quota to the series of coup plotters that ruined Nigeria.
Who then is responsible for the state of our nation if not our own Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, uncles and cousins and friends? Who then do the agitators want to abandon Nigeria for? Would the agitators for Biafra kill those leaders from the South East who contributed to the mess in Nigeria today in other to prevent them from carrying over their ill influence into Biafra? I bet not!
This is precisely why I am disappointed with The Yoruba, as much as I am disappointed with The Hausa, The Ijaw, Ndi Igbo and the rest of the tribes because of our collective failure to deal positively and strongly against the evils of Tribalism, Religious Fanaticism, Corruption and Economic exploitation of the 75 percent Nigerians who are poor. Over the past 55 years, We have consistently moved down this dead-end roads. If Nigeria is a victim of rape, then every Tribe is a rapist. That means, the agitation for Biafra is not an end, it is a beginning aimed to address these wrongs. The only problem is that the sponsors of the agitation have cloned it with a tribal mask and have boldly written on the body of the argument- FOR NDI IGBO. Thus, every other Nigerian is opposed to it because they cannot identify with its SECTIONAL PLATFORM even when the reason for the agitation is valid. For example, the fuel subsidy protests and all the ASUU strikes were Nation-wide. Devoid of tribal or religious sentiments, Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas, etc., took to the streets as Muslims and Christians held the same banner with the words "No More Fuel Subsidy." I have no doubt in my mind that if the issue had been masked with slogans like, "A litre of Fuel Costs N200 in Igbo Land," not many Nigerians would have shown any interest in the protest. Yet, it was indeed true that Fuel stations did sell at double that price in the South East.
Going forward, I believe that the time has come for those who are opposed to the Biafran agitation to leave Biafra alone. Instead, let us put more effort in demonstrating the ideal of One Nigeria by dedicating more time towards building genuine friendship and alliance with our neighbours and friends who may be of a different tribe.
The truth of this is beyond doubt. But every Igbo person, and indeed every Nigerian of good conscience must come to see that this agitation and the cry of marginalisation will continue until Nigerians gather together to discuss what constitutes EQUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR ALL. Otherwise, the agitations and terrorism and mob actions and all the whirlwinds of unrest will continue to question the foundations of NIGERIA. And with each day that passes, Nigeria becomes more vulnerable and comes dangerously close to disintegration. WE MUST TALK.
Yes, We are all influenced by our own tribal bias, but setting tribal and religious opinions aside, it's hard to imagine any genuine reason to divide our Country. This is because, the economic hardship which feeds the anxiety of the youths in Eastern Nigeria was also created, in part, by Igbo leaders from Eastern Nigeria. WE MUST TALK.
Ndi Igbo must demand for talks because every true Igbo man will Perhaps recognise the probable tragedy of a Biafra separated from Nigeria when more than 75 percent of the wealth of Ndi Igbo and more than 30% of their ethnic population are largely scattered across Nigeria- Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Kaduna. Perhaps, they will be even more sincere to acknowledge the fact that, the agitation for indigenous Independence from Nigeria is largely uncoordinated and is doing far more than devastating real hopes for a Brand New Nation- Nigeria.
Perhaps I should make it clear here that, while I respect those clamouring for an Independent Biafra, I still see the agitation as futile.
Of course, this is not to ridicule those of our brothers in the East who may be Pro- Biafra. For I sincerely believe that they have sufficient reasons, which have been impressed upon them to embrace the mantra of Total Separation from Nigeria. But when I think of those young protesters and agitators, it becomes even clearer to me that there will be no permanent solution to Keep NIGERIA as One Nation until some attempt is made by the Nigerian Leaders to address the issues.
Ironically, the same elite groups sponsoring these agitations are part of the "Community of Elites" without tribal boundaries whose selfish interests have spelt poverty and brought misery to the majority of Nigerians; these selfish people are from the North, South, East and West.
Therefore, I believe that it would amount to gross naivety for anyone to assume that the Agitation for a better Nigeria would cool off with time- wether they be Niger Delta Militants, Boko Haram, OPC, Arewa Youths, Biafra agitators. All these are the forces which are presently pushing Nigeria down a dead-end road that can lead to national disaster. WE MUST TALK.
Let me also add that I am unrepentantly Anti- Biafra because, as I watch the imperfections of Nigeria, I see a work in Progress. I look forward to the day when we will have achieved substantial progress commensurate to the effort we have collectively put into our "NATION BECOMING." Therefore, I love Nigeria.
But I am opposed to Biafra with anxiety and pain in my heart, and, above all, with a passionate desire to see Ndi Igbo dedicate and display their considerable ingenuity in making Nigeria's advancement in Science and Technology happen quicker and in our life time. I am opposed to the division of Nigeria even though I am disappointed with Nigeria.
Surely, we brought these things upon ourselves and Collectively we will bring ourselves out from it. The Hausa man has contributed to the destruction of Nigeria as much as the Igbo man and the Yoruba man and the Ijaw man etc. And it is only logical to insist that no one leaves this UNION until these "WRONGS ARE RIGHTED." WE MUST TALK.
We are all bothers. And wether you like the Igbos or not, wether you like the Yorubas or not, wether you like the Hausa, or the Ijaw or the Tiv or NOT, I read somewhere in the book of eternal life that," Out of one blood, God made all men to dwell upon the face of the earth. It ought to be a healthy and friendly place to inhabit. But it is not. And as a RESULT, many minds are distorted with irrationality as we see on daily basis. BUT WE MUST TALK.
We must talk because it time for all people of good conscience to stand up. It is only by so doing that those of us who are Anti-Biafra can reinforce our commitment and faith in Nigeria- a nation becoming! I am convinced that Nigeria is still a "Work in Progress" and if we can work together, the arguments will have a chance of facing each other at the table of maturity and civilisation. This simply means that, Nigeria is NOT a zoo. The Current President is not a Zoo Keeper and Nigerians are not Animals. It also means that our Muslim and Christian brothers in the North and our tribal Yoruba brothers in the West are not our enemies. In fact, deeper than all these, it means that we all must plead guilty to the monstrous triangle of evil that we have turned Nigeria into; the triangle of CORRUPTION, TRIBALISM and POVERTY. South East of Nigeria holds the ace in leading the rest of Nigeria to fight and defeat these triangle of evil,, for the benefit of all of Nigeria.
As we continue to protest our rights to talk, we must must work together to correct it, or perish together under its weight. May God continue to bless Nigeria. (MIU, Nov. 2015)