Buhari's government reawakening the spirit of Biafra

His Excellency Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu: Buhari's government reawakening the spirit of Biafra

When an orphan is treated so badly by his adopters, it's only natural that he recoils and then remembers his late parents. 'If his parents were still alive', he bemoans, 'perhaps he would have been treated in a better way'. 

The end of the Nigeria/Biafra civil war ushered in some new hopes for a better tomorrow. In its wisdom, the government of the day led by General Yakubu Gowon declared "no victor, no vanquished" implying that the 'defeated' Eastern Region will not be treated as a defeated people. To give this promise a semblance of truth and sincerity, General Yakubu Gowon quickly announced a 3R policy of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation for the people of the Eastern Region. The question that bugs discerning minds is: how far has the Eastern Region truly been reconstructed from the ruins of the civil war fought in their own land for three odd years? Have they been rehabilitated 45 years after the war and have they really been reintegrated into the Nigerian project as equal stakeholders in a genuine reconciliation? The answers to these mind bugging questions if given an objective appraisal will be in the negative. 

As years rolled by, the wounds and scars of the civil war seemed to have been soothed through various deliberate policies that, if wholesomely administered, appear quite equitable enough. Policies like the principle of federal character found its way into the constitution. Zoning arrangements anchored on sharing political positions on the basis of a six pod formula has become part of our national life wielding very strong influence. Unfortunately, deceit and half-hearted measures have been adopted in implementing these otherwise laudable policies. Notwithstanding these semblances of deceit and more importantly, the Easterners, of their own volition chose to forget the past and work for a united Nigeria. 

Biafran activists celebrating with officials of Catalonian government

Over time, the hype about Biafra as a nation went really low. Those trying to resurrect the Biafran spirit were almost treated by Igbos as mentally deranged persons, myopic and self-serving. Many prominent Igbos openly denounced such groups as MASSOB, especially when their approach takes the form of sounding the war drums. It was as though the Biafran project is dead and buried or at most, only a thing the mind. Then suddenly, Buhari takes over as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Since May 29 when Buhari took over, his actions and inactions as well as body language seems to have given life to the nearly 'moribund' Biafran spirit. Whether for the right, wrong or preemptive reasons, there seems to be a new wave of solidarity and reawakening of the Biafran spirit occasioned by the actions and inactions of the federal government. Biafran-consciousness is gaining so much prominence in the social media which has proved in recent times to be a portent platform for selling just anything to any willing buyer. This is a dangerous trend and whatever is giving vent and impetus to this ought to be addressed rather than forcibly suppressed. 

The recent clamp down on Radio Biafra and manhunt for those behind the project for allegedly broadcasting inciting information is not helping matters at all. Flagrant arrest and prolonged detention of MASSOB members even when they engage in peaceful and armless rallies to ventilate their angst as is being done in most democracies is real cause for worry. All these are rather fanning the embers of disquiet and resurrecting the Biafranness in the Igbo nation. 

Although President Mohammadu Buhari is yet to fully constitute his government, what is thus far on ground has given Biafran agitators real or imagined reasons to cry foul. The inaugural speech of President Buhari suggested that he would be "for all and belong to none". But in reality, his body language is more tilted to treating the Igbo nation once more as a vanquished people who should even be perpetually grateful to the conquistadors for as much as not outrightly enslaving them. 

The case of the National Assembly principal officers' zoning is still sizzling and may have been already overflogged. Yet it cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand. Where is the spirit zoning in all of these? In developed and most developing climes, once the elections are over, government and governance focuses on building bridges and mending fences. It is no longer 'winner-takes-all' affair. National interest now beclouds party and individual interest. 

Do not mistreat an orphan, lest you remind him of his late parents. The federal government and Buhari must keep this in mind as decisions on the remaining appointments are being taken. The mistake of giving room to the rekindling of the Biafran spirit may have been made, yet, it isn't too late to retract it. 

Igbos are very rational people. If the unfolding trend is reversed, the same Igbos will caution nay singers amongst them. Memories of Biafra will begin to fade again. A united Nigeria will be more beneficial to all ethnic nationalities than a dismembered Nigeria no matter how anyone looks at it. We need each other, let's live together as one but a stitch in time will definitely save nine.

Chukwudi Ohiri, (07052415807), chuksohiri@yahoo.com