Igbo Docility Over The Re-arrest Of Nnamdi Kanu Is An Act Of Cowardice
If Mazi Nnamdi Kanu were to be a Northerner, the entirety of Nigeria would have gone up in flames with blood of humans, freely flowing on the streets. The Igbos and Yorubas would have been subjected to all manner of despicable pressures. Those residing in the North, would have been served quit notices. "Baboons and monkeys" would have been soaked in blood. Arewa youths led by Shettima Yerima, would have been laying accusations on non-Northerners especially the Igbos, for orchestrating the arrest. Miyetti Allah, the umbrella body of Fulani Killer herdsmen, would have equally been threatening fire and brimstone in Nigeria. Islamic fundamentalists would have also been dishing out disgusting instructions to their Muslim youths and possibly the almajiris, to burn down and vandalize Igbo owned shops and businesses in their area. The entirety of the radical Islamic world, would have stood still in support of whatever action.
If Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, were to be from the Western part of Nigeria, the whole Yoruba elders would have known no sleep. Nigeria as a county, would have been terribly shaken to its very foundation. The O'odua Peoples Congress (OPC), would have been strenuously working to ensure that he (Kanu), gets released from the dungeon of the Department of State Services (DSS). All the markets in Lagos, would have been shot down to businesses in solidarity to him. The Kings in Yorubaland would have been holding series of meetings with venomous/authoritative threat statements aimed at facilitating his immediate release. Unfortunately however, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is neither from the North nor from the Western part of Nigeria but from the East popularly known as Biafraland. This is a territory, where majority of the leadership in whatever sphere or calling, cares less. They are enmeshed in their self-serving business interests.
The elders are rather, riding on his shoulders to feather their political neasts. They see the opportunity of his arrest and incarceration as an avenue to display their loyalty to their Northern slave masters. The traditional rulers are all shamelessly, paying no attention to the plight of their own. They rather use the opening to apportion blames on him and the IPOB for orchestrating woes on the Igbo nation as if the problems ravaging the land emanated with the present Biafra agitation of the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB.
This shameful act of cowardice being showcased by the Igbos reminds one of the statement of Shannon Alder. He said: "Staying silent is like a slow, growing cancer, to the soul and a trait of a true coward. There is nothing intelligent about not standing up for yourself. You may not win every battle. However, everyone will at least know what you stood for". The deafening silence of Igbo elders and leaders are more of cowardice than anything else. The docility of the South-East political representatives on the issues affecting Biafrans in Nigeria, is really heartwrenching. This callous attitude has not in anyway helped us as a people. How are we progressing in the light of this debasing anormaly?
Biafrans should note therefore, that the chains of Nnamdi Kanu are the chains placed on every Igbo person whether man or woman and it is a very big shame. Today, dare-devil Islamic terrorists are lavishly being celebrated in the North while the so-called bandits rake in millions of Naira as ransom. We cannot feign ignorance of Nigeria government's deal with all these criminals on daily basis. They are being aided with new sets of motorcycles amongst others. Boko Haram terrorists are today, equally being recruited into the Nigerian military without recourse. The Northern leadership is effortlessly and jealously guiding/guarding their own people, their acts of criminality nonetheless. What really are the sins of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB against these Igbo elders? They should just remember the words of J.R.R. Tolkien who said: "A man that flies from his fear may eventually find out that he has only taken a short cut to meet it".
No matter how pretentious we may be and if we like, let us shy away from our responsibilities, we are only suceeding in building a time bomb that will one day, consume all of us. One day, we will just wake up grappling with the damning effects of the docility and crass negligence of our elders/leaders over the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Written by Obulose Chidiebere
Edited by Peter Oshagwu
For Family Writers Press International
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