Opinion on Operation Python Dance In The Southeast, By Seun

The Nnamdi Kanu issue is a very slippery one. I am not a fan of hate speech such as calling Nigeria a zoo, talking of burning Nigeria or even being brazen on having a secret service. If we must make our points known, law and respect must be involved. He wants a referendum, why not stay on that message and let us even test it? We all know referendum don't suddenly happen. It is not known to our constitution and we don't even have terms for what never existed. This will require a lot of patience and right agitation.


The Nigerian government has also been a hypocrite. The "Arewa" youths who sounded quit notice to Igbos should have been picked up. At least, they should have gotten a DSS invite. This is what dilutes trust in the Nigerian government and pushes the narrative that a section of the country gets the fair advantage.

If Nnamdi Kanu broke bail conditions, a court should issue an order and let him get arrested. Sending soldiers to the region to create panic has never worked. I like how Abia State Government is raising awareness that the rules of engagement be maintained.

Nnamdi Kanu is NOT bigger than the Nigerian state. I will propose a group of eminent SE leaders (not politicians) to meet him to understand his exact needs going forward. He has started a conversation that may not land us in secession but it can be that we need to truly restructure this country.

The President can't afford to keep quiet. These aren't issues to wish away most especially when human rights records such as handling of Shittes has been poor. We need to confront this issue by giving Nnamdi a wide berth to explain his issues. FG also has to be consistent to ensure hate speech on any level is not tolerated. I know we all like to have a strong government that does not back down.  That's a relic of the military era.

Let Government withdraw the soldiers. Dialogue through mutual respect is what I see as the way forward.