The entire old Eastern region of Nigeria (Biafraland) has been denied the right to legitimate political leadership ever since the Biafra genocidal war of 1967-1970, during which a group of countries inspired by their political and economic interests slaughtered more than 5 million Biafrans. Fear that “allowing the region with such politics and orientation of confrontational republicanism could spell doom for the both parties exploitative and conquest agenda, respectively” led to this rights denial by the British and the Sokoto caliphate (Fulani Empire).
The authorities waged a “subtle but penetrative” war on all the things that made the Biafran region viable after the Biafran resistance surrendered in 1970 on “No Victor, No Vanquish” terms and the subsequent paper reintegration policy; economic, political, philosophical, sociological, and so on
The Calibre of men who held leadership positions of the Eastern people from 1960 independence until the war were thrown out of the political corridor by the British and Fulanis. These men were the ones who made the region so progressive and stable. To make it easier for sabotage and individualism to take root, Fulani oligarchs took control of every citizen of Biafra’s assets and capital. thereby making them susceptible to their influence and impossible to resist. They invested heavily in the region’s cultural and value defamation, which began even during colonial rule, and stereotyped the populace by causing them to hold opposing views.
As a result of this rash plan, which ensured that every new political leader in the region would have to come to them and swear allegiance to do their bidding and protect their interests at any time and in any way, the overlords will not hesitate to kill even the leaders’ own people if necessary to protect their interests. But then Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and a revolutionist who had never held a political office in any state, appeared. He showed up to demand that the region’s leaders be held accountable for their subservience to the true owners of Nigeria—the British and Sokoto caliphate—by demanding justice for the people there.
Since Kanu insisted that “for there to be peace there must be justice,” all attempts to bribe and intimidate him into joining their conflict were unsuccessful. Kanu keeps pointing out that the Eastern people have been treated unfairly for decades and that they need to be treated with justice. His call for a referendum was viewed as a threat, as were his popularity among the people, humility, and ability to comprehend the suffering of the people.
The Umuahia, who was born on September 14, 2017, at his father’s house in Afara-Ukwu Ibeku, Aba State, was assassinated in concert by political elites from the Eastern region. The Nigerian military was brought in to carry it out. Fortunately, Nnamdi Kanu escaped the assassination attempt and the agonizing invasion, which also killed Nnamdi Kanu’s cousin sister and 28 other unarmed civilians who were inside the compound at the time.
In response, Fulani oligarchs and politicians in the South East declared Kanu’s freedom movement, the “Indeginous people of Biafra(IPOB),” a terrorist organization (referendum), despite the fact that IPOB is a non-violent self-determination movement that adheres to a democratic system that is recognized worldwide.
Nnamdi Kanu, who narrowly escaped to safety, continued to preach the Biafra restoration gospel without stopping, this time from a foreign country, until he was kidnapped once more with the help of the governments of Kenya and Nigeria. Additionally, it is alleged that some South East political elites contributed funds to the extraordinary rendition of the IPOB leader from Kenya by Nigerian secret security in connection with their unsuccessful bid for individual 2023 presidential slots. And despite their disappointments, they have failed to swallow their shame and demand Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release collectively as a bloc, despite the IPOB representatives’ legal victories in Nigerian courts, which discharged and acquitted the IPOB leader from all frivolous charges.
In order to avoid offending their paymasters in Abuja and, who knows, other places, those who were able to accomplish this on their own were all jittery and elusive in their calls. This is not only appalling, but it also poses a threat because, if this trend continues unabated, our future is uncertain because it is likely that our children and grandchildren will become even more enslaved for life. This is the primary motivation behind the IPOB-led agitation for Biafra independence.
Because such a thing will never be possible in Nigeria, IPOB wants to ensure the future of our future generations in a free and sovereign Biafra nation. The Nigerian government ought to abide by the orders of its own courts and acquit IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of all baseless charges. Because this Biafra agitation project has crossed the line and will not stop until it is fully realized, Nigeria’s leadership should swallow their shame and collectively set a date for a referendum.
#FreeMaziNnamdiKanu #BiafraReferendumNow was written and edited by Ogah C. S. Maduabuchi. It was written by Enenienwite Ikechukwu.