The war of Annihilation Against the Igbos and the hypocrisy of Nigeria government
It is said that whoever wants to go to equity should always go with clean hands. Whoever wants peace must always cultivate equity. Political pride, hatred and hypocrisy against the Igbo tribe is what got Nigeria to the position they are in today.
For the purpose of clarity, equality means that individuals or group of people are given the same resources or opportunities. On the other hand, equity recognizes that each individual or group has different circumstances and, therefore, allocates resources and opportunities so that equal outcome is attained.
The Igbos suffers the worst humiliation in Nigeria if not in Africa. During the war, more than 3 million of Igbo people were killed and starved to death. Igbo became victims in their own land. Ironically, while other ethnicities pay lip service to their belief in Nigeria, Igbo have shown theirs by the enormous investments and developments that is racially and tribally blind scattered across the length and breadth of Nigeria. Indeed, actions speaks louder than words. Igbos are living in almost all the villages in Nigeria. Any village in Nigeria without Igbo presence is not worth living in. In fact, it is jokingly said that, anywhere you go in the world without the presence of an Igbo man there is no business there, the place should be deserted. That joke is true about Nigeria!
After the civil war, in order to keep the fragile peace of Nigeria, as they claimed, the then Nigerian head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, instituted the 3Rs—Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reintegration; and also proclaimed to the world that the war has ended with a “No victor, no vanquished.” A proclamation that turned out to be an act of deception and an insult to the Igbo people. The claim of an effort to heal wounds, treat psychological horror and trauma, reintegrate the country were made for the purpose of perfunctory, intended for the television. Suffice it to say that it is needless to ask pertinent questions such as, was the policy of the 3Rs executed to the letter? Was the ‘no victor, no vanquished’ implemented to calm frayed nerves, douse tension and give succour to bereaved relations and survivors of the genocide erroneously called war? We all know the answers!
The last straw for them that broke the camel’s back was Chief Awolowo’s abandon property policy which he formulated as the then Finance Minister, to give the Igbos only twenty (20) pounds, no matter how much they had in their savings and other accounts in Nigerian banks before the war. This is one of the worst man’s inhumanity to man that was meted-out to Igbos. It was a sadistic and merciless exhibition of un-magnanimity by a proxy winner playing out a script.
Of all this humiliation to Igbo, Buhari in this age too, never deemed it right to make Igbo feel at home. Instead, to prove that he was a sadist and clannish, Military Operation Python Dance was the only federal gift given the Igbo.
The unofficial result of the June 12, 1993, election which indicated a victory for Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), over Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). The winner of the election was thus never declared as the elections were annulled by IBB, citing electoral irregularities. The annulment led to protests and political unrest, including the resignation of IBB and a weak interim civilian government, and culminated in the continuation of military rule in the country with Sani Abacha ascending to power as the military head of state via a bloodless coup later in the year. Fast forward to 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari, during his 2018 democracy day speech, said that June 12 will be Nigeria’s Democracy day in other to compensate and pacify Yoruba people for what happened in June 12, 1993.
How come that in a family of 3 sons (Tunde, Musa and Obi) of the same parents, Tunde is considered as the legitimate child, Musa the right son and Obi as the prodigal son. What is good for Tunde and Musa should also be good to Obi, if we claim we are one Nigeria. Why would the president of Nigeria choose to pacify Yoruba people but militarize Igbo land? Why did Buhari choose to honour June 12 of yesterday but forget over 3 million Biafrans brutally killed during the war? Why would he consider it right to make June 12 Democracy day but chose to bring operation python dance to the Igbo people?
Nigeria will continue to run from pillar to post, from frying pan to fire until it learns the importance of "I am sorry".
Written by Obulose Chidiebere
Edited by Chibueze Daniel
Family Writers Press International
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