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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye (1544 Views)
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On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Lateralmaths(m): 8:43am On Nov 24, 2015 |
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 3 Likes |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by vayne(m): 8:55am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Help me ask them oo why so much ressistance? 7 Likes |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by zendy: 9:00am On Nov 24, 2015 |
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. 14 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Emmalaw10(m): 9:01am On Nov 24, 2015 |
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!!! 10 Likes |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by dialfa: 9:06am On Nov 24, 2015 |
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. 9 Likes |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by ticking: 9:16am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Hoho
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Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by ernesty20(m): 9:21am On Nov 24, 2015 |
The only yoruba man with sense 5 Likes |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Lateralmaths(m): 9:31am On Nov 24, 2015 |
lalasticlala more persons need to see this. FP pls |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Nobody: 9:31am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Thank you sir. However, I am sure the tyranny of a president is still living in delusion. 1 Like |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Nobody: 9:31am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Thank you sir. However, I am sure the tyranny of a president is still living in delusion. |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Lateralmaths(m): 9:34am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Emmalaw10:I don't understand why you people keep calling Nigeria a zoo. Show some class even in your agitation. Nigeria deserves respect. |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by calaway: 9:39am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Lateralmaths: 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? 7 Likes |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Trut(m): 9:42am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Lateralmaths: Is there any difference between Nigeria and zoo? Even zoos in the Western world have better amenities than Nigeria. 9 Likes |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Lateralmaths(m): 9:44am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Trut:In other words, Nigerians are....? |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Lateralmaths(m): 9:45am On Nov 24, 2015 |
calaway:That's why I talked about class |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by calaway: 9:47am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Lateralmaths: I NEVER KNEW A PARASITE COULD HAVE CLASS!!! PLEASE TELL US MORE.. 1 Like |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by TheEclectic: 9:57am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Lateralmaths: If you don't want nigeria to be called a Zoo then nigerians should stop acting like animals. 2 Likes |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by TheEclectic: 9:57am On Nov 24, 2015 |
Lateralmaths: ANIMALS |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by khSteel: 12:56pm On Nov 24, 2015 |
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. 1 Like |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Kestolovee95(f): 1:55pm On Nov 24, 2015 |
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Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Kestolovee95(f): 1:56pm On Nov 24, 2015 |
lalasticlala, wetin Biafrans do you? |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by Lateralmaths(m): 2:10pm On Nov 24, 2015 |
Kestolovee95:lalasticlala come answer your query o? |
Re: On Biafra And Secession By Dipo Oyeleye by glassjar1: 2:15pm On Nov 24, 2015 |
BIAFRA I WILL GIVE YOU MY , DIRECT FROM MIAMI BISCAYNE BLVD . I SWEAR IT IS BIAFRA OR DEATH . NIGERIA BE WARN |
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