The last six years have seen the rise and rise of Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), a pro-Biafra group that has its activities firmly rooted in the five South-Eastern states, and tentacles spread across parts of the South-South. A group no one gave a chance of survival six years ago presently dictates what happens in the whole SE and parts of South-South. The organization through its radio station(Radio Biafra) and social media platforms has rallied and still rallying an army of adherents from all strata of Igbo society.
- How did a nonviolent separatist group gain acceptance effortlessly amongst a people known to be highly adaptable? -What manner of message did they preach or are they preaching?
- Did the organization furnish a kind of leadership that was/is nonexistent in the region?
- What strategy did they deploy to earn the trust and enthusiasm of ordinary people on the streets of SE and parts of SS?
I know a larger percentage of folks on this platform are unattracted to lengthy write-ups, I'll try to be as brief as possible as I attempt to provide answers to the above questions.
The acceptance of the group, especially in the SE and parts of SS was a result of toxic politics adopted by the north and a section of the South-West before and after the 2015 elections. Those who didn't vote for Buhari were not only seen as enemies, they were treated as one. All sorts of tasteless reasons were adduced for the exclusion of qualified individuals from the region from serving in the administration. Draconic strategies were adopted by the government to strangulate the region both economically and politically. IPOB magnified these nasty acts and the people were left with no choice but to align with them.
What manner of message did they preach or are they preaching?
IPOB's message is embedded in amplifying the depravity of this administration. Interestingly, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in broadcasts before and immediately after the 2015 elections predicted most of this heinousness being perpetrated by Buhari's administration.
Did the organization furnish a kind of leadership that was/is nonexistent in the region?
It has become clear there is a huge leadership vacuum in the SE. Those who parade themselves as leaders are mere political jobbers and voracious yesmen whose only interest is where their next political appointment or chop money will come from. I believe IPOB was able to fill this leadership void because they are made up of ordinary folks: artisan, traders, teachers students, factory workers, etc while Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senators, HOR members, and the governors belong to the camp of the oppressors; the political class. This is why a sit-at-home order by IPOB is obeyed 100% while counter directives by governors are ignored.
So, where do we go from here?
I was in the SE for close to two weeks, I traversed the whole region, I interacted with real people, I asked questions about the activities of IPOB/ESN, the answers I got were quite revealing. On the sit-at-home order, while few people especially folks who depend on daily income to feed their family decried the order, the majority of the people I spoke to supported the move as long as it hastens the restoration of Biafra and release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Secondly, many people I spoke to claimed they have never encountered ESN, the much they know about the group is what they read or see online. One cannot help but wonder where those killing security agents, burning police stations, and destroying the properties of fellow Igbos come from.
Moving forward, methinks a clear message has been sent to our so-called leaders in the SE, real power lies in the hands of ordinary people. The Monday sit-at-home must be suspended and folks allowed to go about their legitimate businesses. Future sit-at-home protests must be strategic, the charlatans who masquerade as leaders in the SE either shape up or ship out. To Facebook and Twitter intellectuals who are in the habit of accusing IPOB and other pro-Biafra groups of being responsible for crimes committed in Igbo land, I salute una. Those of you that find it very convenient to label pro-Biafra groups, terrorists and those of us who don't condemn them outright, haters of Igbo land, continue in you folly. Agbacha oso aguo mile.
You accuse members of IPOB of not being open to suggestions yet, you cannot tolerate a contrary opinion on your thread. Pitiable pretenders, ana emenu. Ndi obiakpor n'agbo mbo maka odi mma ndi Igbo, jisienu ike. May God reward us according to our works. Peace out.
By Uche Ezeigbo
No comments:
Post a Comment