|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
There is an aphorism that says, “United we stand but divided we fall”. Right from the day John Nnia Nwodo was sworn in as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World-wide, he vowed and bound his aides not to join issues with or abuse the leadership or any member of IPOB. Rather they should be regarded as brothers and comrades in arms in the fight for the liberation of Ndigbo from the clutches of their oppressors. True to his injunction, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has refrained, indeed has restrained itself, from entering a war arena with IPOB despite all provocations, verbal and physical, from what one would have considered an arm of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. No matter the provocative tantrums of IPOB leadership and in-spite of their reneging on all peace accords reached with them, Chief Nwodo has maintained a dignified silence, believing, and rightly too, that he should not join issues with IPOB and in the process wash our dirty linens in the public; that IPOB are his children and that a father does not and should not fight his children in the public.
Like the statesman that he is, he decided recently to write an open letter to Ndigbo explaining efforts he has made over the years to placably be on the same pedestal with IPOB in the fight for self-determination for Ndigbo. Rather than draw restraint, understanding and respect from IPOB, they went on another spree of tirade and abuse on his person and other Igbo leaders.
While one will never descend to the intemperate and uncouth language of the leadership of IPOB, it has become pertinent to start answering some of their impetuous imputations that are all a tissue of lies, unfounded propaganda and a blatant attempt to use their overt attack on Igbo leaders to obfuscate the truth before the public, advance their parochial cause by ingratiating themselves into the consciousness of the unsuspecting public by pouring invectives on respected Igbo leaders.
If one may ask, why does IPOB think the liberation and advancement of Ndigbo can come by their attacking, verbally and physically, prominent Igbo leaders? Is it a case of “idi ike na ulo’’? Why don’t they carry their fight to the real oppressors of Ndigbo?
Secondly, with all their bravado talks, where and where have they been able to encounter, fight and repel the marauding Fulani herdsmen who have almost taken over Igbo land? Again, how much resistance could they put up when the federal might came down on them in the years past?
Finally, why have they refused to embrace the olive branch extended to them by Chief Nnia Nwodo and Ohanaeze Ndigbo which would have amplified the saying among Ndigbo that ‘’igwe bu ike’’? Yes, there is unity in strength. Those we are contending with will fear and respect us if we form a formidable unity by all Igbo splinter groups coming together under one umbrella to fight our collective cause. The saying that “anu na agba ofu ofu na ana ofu ofu” is a truism which none can debunk.
Yes, Chief Nnia Nwodo said that neither IPOB nor Ohanaeze Ndigbo can bring about the realization of Biafra. It was not an expression of pessimism. He has his reasons. No amount of expression of anger, belligerence or vituperations can bring about Biafra, neither can all grammar, letter writing or expression of marginalization or disillusionment by Ohanaeze Ndigbo bring the sovereign State of Biafra to fruition. What will ultimately bring about the realization of Biafra is dialogue and careful networking with other parts of the country. Ndigbo alone cannot bring about any amendment to the country’s constitution without the cooperation of other major parts of the country. Chants of war, use of abusive language and grandstanding cannot and will never serve the Biafran expedition any good. It will rather antagonize people who would have lent a sympathetic ear to our cause.
Yes, I agree the Igbo political class devoid of selfish inclinations can do and should do more for the advancement of the well-being of Ndigbo. Yes, I agree their representation at all levels have not been robust. They can certainly be reminded of what duty they owe Ndigbo. but I don’t think violence or attacks should be the answer. An appeal to their conscience and insisting that votes count in elections in which case any unfruitful representative can be appropriately recalled and changed. Even insulting such people by physical attack in foreign lands will not be remedial but will only portray us as being barbaric. Carry placards etc but no physical assaults.
It is also necessary to state that Chief Nnia Nwodo as the leader of Ndigbo cannot be accused of being afraid of moving out in the open to defend the people. He has been most outspoken, courageous, and has dared to tread where many feared to. He has at all fora encapsulated the feelings of Ndigbo on national issues. He has most especially been strident in his defence of IPOB. Yes, our IPOB, even at the risk of drawing the angst of the federal might. Apart from calling for the de-proscribing of IPOB in his lectures, press releases and appeal to the Federal Government, what else can he do? Go to war without any army and armament? Be it known that Chief John Nnia Nwodo supports the emergence of a sovereign Republic of Biafra, but not through the barrel of the gun, without spilling the blood of our sons and daughters anymore. Let us be reasonable. Unless IPOB has a congenital hatred for Chief Nwodo or are under any obligation to continue abusing and haranguing him, what has he done to IPOB? He has for the umpteenth time absolved himself of complicity in Operation Python Dance.
He has interceded on behalf of IPOB. His house has been bombed. He forgave his traducers. He has been abused. He forgave them. His father whom he holds dear and respects his memory (having taken his father’s name) has been abused. He forgave them. What else do they want from this courageous, vocal, articulate and ebulient wordsmith and orator? When next do Ndigbo hope to have another Nnia Nwodo as a leader? He breathed life into Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He has challenged the Federal Government frontally and, short of abusing the President, told him courageously where he is going wrong in his warped stance on Ndigbo. He worked tirelessly for the resuscitation of South-East Governors Forum and it came to pass. He has helped in fostering a rich and pregnant rapprochement with the Yoruba, Niger Delta, Middle Belt and even some parts of the North to give teeth to restructuring which remains the most viable option to the present imperious situation in the country and also the surest, most peaceful approach to the actualization of the Republic of Biafra.
Tough talks with no military spine will not achieve Biafra. Internal squabbles will not attain Biafra. Name calling will not bring about Biafra. Antagonism and alienating prominent Igbo sons and daughters will equally not take us there.
No, Ndigbo are not respected by our oppressors not necessarily because our leaders are not strong (strong to do what, fight?), but because we are not united. All it takes to deflate any move for the emancipation of Ndigbo is for some people to sell out. Chief Nnia Nwodo has nothing to gain by selling out Ndigbo at this twilight of his career. Is it for fame ? He became famous when many of his traducers were toddlers. Is it wealth ? He shunned money when he was young and had ample opportunities because of his pedigree. Another is disunity. IPOB dissipates too much energy fighting perceived internal enemies, leaving the main common enemy of the people. More than IPOB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has carried the struggle for Igbo liberation to outside the country. Apart from addressing the world at Chatham House, London, Chief Nwodo has written to all the foreign embassies in Nigeria, the United Nations and many more about the plight of Ndigbo in Nigeria. Apart from rabble-rousing, hoodwinking Ndigbo, (especially those in the diaspora) into believing that they had almost realised Biafra and abusing elders, what milestone has IPOB achieved towards actualising the sovereign state ? Those back home know better. The recent altercations in the social media amongst the leadership of IPOB over money clearly underscores their motive.
Chief Nwodo as the leader and father of Ndigbo worldwide, assured northern leaders that if Ndigbo are not attacked in the north and the Fulanis don’t antagonize their hosts, no Fulani man will be attacked in Igbo land. This is a covenant that both sides ought to have kept. But with recent turn of events, will Chief Nwodo still vouch for that ? I doubt it. You don’t quote anything out of context just to score a cheap selfish point. It befuddles the mind why IPOB is vehemently after Nwodo. They are yet to come out with any convincing reason and the public are not deceived. If their aim is to ingratiate themselves among Ndigbo, Nwodo is not a hinderance. If it is influence or accolade, Nwodo is not a deterrent.
One thing is however clear. As long as all the staccato Igbo groups don’t come together, as long as there is a cacophony of voices, Ndigbo will remain a laughing stock in the country and nobody will take Ndigbo seriously. OPC never openly abuse or disagree with Afenifere, Arewa Youths do not abuse ACF or AEF, just as Niger Delta Militants do not abuse PANDEF. Why should IPOB consistently abuse Ohanaeze Ndigbo?
As one writer put it recently, “Let all Biafran Groups, IPOB, MASSOB, BIM, ADF, CAN-SE, ASETU, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and all her affiliates and others have a conclave and resolve issues. With that, there will be division of labour and everyone will do what he does best and as well watch his brothers back. Nnia Nwodo and Ekweremadu are not saboteurs. Nnamdi Kanu also is not a saboteur. We as Ndigbo should not de-market ourselves.’’
Like the writer also did, I am equally calling on our foremost Igbo leaders to come together, bring all these groups together and let us forge a common Igbo Front against our enemies. Some of the other regional organisations have their own measure of fragmentation and disagreements, but when any issue that threatens their collective existence crops up, they close ranks and fight the common enemy to a standstill. Let Ndigbo borrow a leaf from them. Any day Igbo unity becomes a reality, other parts of the country will quake. We shall be surprised what giant strides we can take. Once more, “Igwe bu ike”. “ Nzogbu Nzogbu, Enyimba Enyi ‘’,
