August 22, 2015
Few months ago, after the Nigerian national elections, something strange emerged - a mysterious radio called "Radio Biafra". The name "Biafra" is hardly new to anyone, nor is the knowledge of the motive behind the name anytime it is mentioned, so not so many people paid attention to it then. Or, did they?
Well, today, for someone like me, who wasn't yet in existence during the saga of the late 1960s which ultimately led to the terrible Civil War, this is the peak of the agitation for the new country, Biafra Republic. Today, after all the lives lost almost 50 years ago, the Ibos want to have their country...again. Do we blame them?
It must be difficult to be in their shoes now. To be called a major part of a country, yet been unable to govern the country in over 50 years. While I am not a supporter of ethnicity as a yardstick of governance, I believe the inability of an Ibo man to assume power at the national office, is more than mere coincidence.
Then came Goodluck Jonathan, he is not an Ibo man, but he is closer to that extraction geographically. Jonathan came as a man everybody loved: he left as one almost everybody loathed. Some believe that his regime was sabotaged. By who? We may never be sure.
Now, since our dear Muhammad Buhari assumed office, there really has been some positive changes. But the Ibos seem to have been heavily sent to the rear. They got few appointments, yes, but when you look at the executive and legislative arm of the country, well, I wouldn't know.
It is becoming to look as if we (Yorubas and Hausas) are afraid of allowing these people to lead (save that we are not just selfish). The question then remains: why do we want to hold on to them if they cannot be considered in our thoughts? Are they our slaves? Who is afraid of the Biafrans? Why are we finding it so difficult to let go? What do we stand to lose?
If we want a "united Nigeria" geographically, then we must first create a united Nigeria psychologically. We all are humans afterall.
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