Igbo And Self-determination: An Agitation Beyond Nnamdi Kanu, By Nnaemeka Ikerionwu

Kanu with some IPOB members at his hometown in Abia State

A lot of people are condemning Nnamdi Kanu and his mode of operation but they don't know that Biafra is bigger than him. Majority of people that support Biafra are not Kanu's followers but that doesn't mean he's irrelevant to the cause. He's a great guy. All thanks to our bedridden president who made him what he is today.

After I wrote the previous article titled, "Biafra, A Movement That Can Never Be Stopped," a lot people started asking when I became an IPOB member, but the truth is that I'm not. I've never been either but as a child born in the Southeastern Nigeria, I have the Biafran blood and spirit in me.

Nnamdi Kanu isn't the issue. The issue here is a feeling of exclusion which is increasing on a daily basis. Nnamdi is just the catalyst. If people weren't already fed up, I don't think anyone will listen to him. Look at the appointments that was made by this administration. Look at how many people who have lost their jobs. Look at the policies that have stifled people's hopefulness.

Most people are so disenchanted and made to believe that whatever this government does is lie.

Nnamdi Kanu has been operating since without much relevance. I didn't even know much about his capacity until the sick President, out of overzealousness, made him a national issue.

Even former president Obasanjo once  admitted that he was held on trump up charges. Courts granted him bail but it was refused over and over.

Do you think if things were working and people were busy they would have noticed? No! He's just the guy that bailed the cat. There is a very thin line between bravery and stupidity. If he had killed the lion he is brave and everyone claps for him. If the lion kills him everyone would wonder why he went to fight in the first place.

So Kanu isn't the the problem, rather incompetence, nepotism, continuous violation of federal character and insensitivity are the problems.

Before we continue, let's look at the 2017 budget signed by Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday.

2017 BUDGET ALLOCATIONS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.

North Central  -  N209 billion

North West  -  N73.7 billion

South West   -  N48.97 billion

North East  -  N46.69 billion

South South  -  N35.31 billion

South East   -  N28.22 billion

Below is the pie chart detailing the allocations according to Geo political zones.

Now, those blaming the Igbos for calling for restructuring or self determination are obviously not humans. Just look at it again, 28.22 as against 209? Isn't a gross injustice that is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf?

The Igbo want self recognition and it isn't a crime. With my knowledge of international relations, people, at any point in time, can ask for self recognition and governance. If they are not convenient and comfortable with the settlings, they have the constitutional right to ask for a referendum. UK did it, Spain are about doing it so I don't see reasons why the little minority would be demonizing those asking for referendum or categorizing them as poor. What is Nigeria afraid of?

Now we have Biafra, Oduduwa,  Middle Belt, Southern Kaduna, Fulani and Rondel. Plans are on now to proclaim, Benin, Anioma, Bakassi, Anang. We are making progress. Nine Republics! When the time comes, we won't be wasting time to sign budgets or wait for a ghost president to give orders. There would be no more bicameral "legis-thief-ture," No ministers sleeping on duty. A lot of changes would surely be made.

If we just condemn these agitations, we are making it sound as if there is nothing wrong with the current unsustainable mess in the country and that portends a great danger. We can only point out the limitations of ethnic nationalism while pointing out options for the way forward like restructuring and other alternatives, not total abandonment or disregard.

"The street is fed up"

—————To be continued—————

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