Why is there so much resistance to a region clamoring to
break away from the colonial arrangement called Nigeria? In
a democracy, such protest to secede shouldn't be a reason
for rolling out drums of war. They have the right to ask and
their agitation should be addressed with all seriousness by
the federal government.
I understand that history is not that simple but when the
past intrudes the present with a threat to the future, we
should all pay attention. It should be clear to all now that
the leg of the civil war, hurriedly buried by General Yakubu
Gowon's "no victor, no vanquished," is now sticking out to
threaten our fractured national unity. Nnamdi Kanu's
agitation on Radio Biafra is worrisome but the substance of
the call to secede is not something the government should
treat with a kid's glove.
Need I remind us that this is not a military regime?
Threatening Igbo people with another civil war is not the
right way to deter them. I think it is cruel to think that
threatning the region with war should be the only argument
against a people desiring to become an independent entity.
There are other democratic processes that could determine
that. Nnamdi Kanu does not speak for the entire Eastern
region but he is a voice of many who believe that
successive governments have marginalized them since the
civil war. If the South East, as a geopolitical zone, decides to
break away, there is a simple bloodless solution to it. The
government should propose an Independence referendum. If
people in the region are allowed to vote themselves in or out
of Nigeria, there would be no bloodshed. My prediction,
however, is that the fear of the unknown might make a lot of
Easterners to vote against it and that would lay future
agitations to rest. And if they vote in favor of breaking
away, the rest of the country should let them. Each
geopolitical zone can decide to remain a part of Nigeria or
become another country. Each region is capable of
restructuring and surviving independently. I see no reason
for compelling the region to remain an integral part of the
nation.
I know someone reading this would say that it's not that
simple. I agree. It isn't but it is possible. It is possible for
the country to break into independent sovereign nations
without bloodshed but those who are benefiting from the
current arrangement will never wish to loose their grip on
power. That's why the Governors and the political class in
the concerned region are not the ones fighting for Biafra.
The late Odimegwu Ojukwu's military ambition to secede is
an individual effort that plunged the entire region into the
stark reality of war but an Independence referendum would
represent a collective wish of the people to either stay or
leave the union.
Agitation for Biafra should not be taken with levity. The
agitators should not be scorned, derided and disregarded as
unimportant and non-threatening. Doing that would mean
underestimating the impending and potential damage they
are capable of wrecking on the security of lives and
properties across the nation. Those clamoring for secession
have a right to ask under a democratic society. Granting
them the right to choose whether to stay or leave is the
responsibility of the government.
With the pending lawsuit and detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the
Buhari administration is in a tough spot. Convicting the man
for treason, which carries death penalty, could be the
nuclear bomb that will plunge the country into another form
of militant insurgency. We must understand that he has
followers who still believe in Biafra. The huge base of
Biafrans, supporters and opportunists alike, might lead to
armed resistance against the rest of the country. The
Federal government should not make the mistake of turning
Kanu into a martyr. That would make him an idea and ideas
live longer than those who propound them. We have Boko
Haram as an example. This matter should be handled
delicately before it would get out of hand.
A democratic dispensation is different from a military
dictatorship. The government must find a means to ensure
that this issue is treated with utmost care. It is also a time
for other zones in Nigeria to debate the Nigerian question.
What do we stand to lose or gain as a nation if the South
East should go? What is the endpoint of the Biafra project
and why must any region be compelled to remain a part of
the colonial marriage called Nigeria?

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10207395443859551&id=1090502395&refid=17&_ft_=top_level_post_id.10207395443859551%3Atl_objid.10207395443859551%3Athid.1090502395%3A306061129499414%3A2%3A0%3A1448956799%3A-6136464886767066273&__tn__=%2As

Help me ask them oo why so much ressistance?

To be honest, I didn't know there was any Yoruba man anywhere in the world with an ounce of self determination inside him like the writter of this piece. We Biafrans are asking for a referendum not war. The reason why people like Kanu prefare war is because he does not believe Nigeria will agree to a referendum. Something similar happend during the civil war when Ojukwu kept proposing referendum so that the bloodshed would end but Gowon kept insisting we must all be "one Nigeria". It was Gowons "Nigeria by force!" mentality that cost 3 million lives. The only thing that I didn't like about what he wrote is where he said that Biafra was Ojukwus 'individual effort'. People like my father who was a Biafran soldier did not fight because of the beauty of Ojukwus face or Ojukwus eloquence. They fought because they didn't believe in Nigeria and desired the freedom of their own country. Biafra was not Ojukwus individual effort, no one single man takes on the might of the Nigerian army and holds them for 3 years.

Pharaoh's heart was hardened by God to bring closer his downfall. Am happy Naija is stubborn and heart-hardened to the yearnings of pro-Biafrans. It will bring the Zoo's downfall closer.

O nwebero ihe ifu!!!

One thing the zoo is yet to understand is that Igbos will never let their land be part of another country in case of seccession. Those calling for a referendum limited to the zoological South East while excluding Igbos in other zoological regions are either ignorant or being mischevious.

Biafra must include all parts of Igboland.

Hoho

The only yoruba man with sense

lalasticlala more persons need to see this. FP pls

Thank you sir.
However, I am sure the tyranny of a president is still living in delusion.

Thank you sir.
However, I am sure the tyranny of a president is still living in delusion.

Emmalaw10:
Pharaoh's heart was hardened by God to bring closer his downfall. Am happy Naija is stubborn and heart-hardened to the yearnings of pro-Biafrans. It will bring the Zoo's downfall closer.

O nwebero ihe ifu!!!

I don't understand why you people keep calling Nigeria a zoo. Show some class even in your agitation. Nigeria deserves respect.

Lateralmaths:
I don't understand why you people keep calling Nigeria a zoo. Show some class even in your agitation. Nigeria deserves respect.

YOU MEAN THE SAME TYPE OF RESPECT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO YOUR SOURCE OF FUND FOR THE EXISTENCE AND FUNCTION AS A COUNTRY SINCE 1970?

Lateralmaths:
I don't understand why you people keep calling Nigeria a zoo. Show some class even in your agitation. Nigeria deserves respect.

Is there any difference between Nigeria and zoo? Even zoos in the Western world have better amenities than Nigeria.

Trut:


Is there any difference between Nigeria and zoo? Even zoos in the Western world have better amenities than Nigeria.

In other words, Nigerians are....?

calaway:


YOU MEAN THE SAME TYPE OF RESPECT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO YOU SOURCE FUND OF EXISTENCE AND FUNCTION AS A COUNTRY SINCE 1970?

That's why I talked about class

Lateralmaths:
That's why I talked about class

I NEVER KNEW A PARASITE COULD HAVE CLASS!!! PLEASE TELL US MORE..

Lateralmaths:
I don't understand why you people keep calling Nigeria a zoo. Show some class even in your agitation. Nigeria deserves respect.

If you don't want nigeria to be called a Zoo then nigerians should stop acting like animals.

Lateralmaths:
In other words, Nigerians are....?

ANIMALS

I hv read lots of negative/hateful tweets in the past days condemning the recent Biafra agitation & no one person made any argument why we should all still stick to this dysfunctional "One Nigeria" rather than try other alternative.

It is Extremely Moronic & Crassly Rude for a People to Live Their Lives Freely as They Choose, & Stupidly Expect Other People to Live in a Certain Way.

Some people want GMB as their president, others don't; GMB said he is president of 97%, well, the 5%ers want out.

The argument now should b "for One Nigeria or Biafra"; for One Nigerians, make concessions like regional autonomy etc., we just might consider it.

For other Nigerians asking Biafrans to protest for True federalism, that's nonsense; if anyone want True federalism, then they should go & demand for it.

For now, focus on ur lives/regions, & allow Biafrans their rights to STATEHOOD; "Enough is Enough ".

KH.

lalasticlala, wetin Biafrans do you?

Kestolovee95:
lalasticlala, wetin Biafrans do you?

lalasticlala come answer your query o?

BIAFRA I WILL GIVE YOU MY , DIRECT FROM MIAMI BISCAYNE BLVD .



I SWEAR IT IS BIAFRA OR DEATH . NIGERIA BE WARN