[OPINION] The Path Of Honour: Towards Reconciling Every Faction In The Pursuit Of Biafra Freedom

By Russell Bluejack

I really need some respite from the missiles flying into my email and messenger.  Interestingly, the bone of contention is so crucial that I spend hours attending to them to the detriment of other burning issues.  One question that impinged itself on my mind repeatedly was: when was any revolution achieved on the basis of internal division and infighting?  When revolutionaries take the fight to themselves what happens is that the oppressive government takes a critical look to see which faction it will court in order to end the struggle.  Having failed in the self-caused task of uncovering any revolution in the past that rode to glory on the heels of internal rift/wrangling I am impelled to say that every such case in our struggle should be quelled, using dialogue.

Now,  whether is it RBI, USA or RBI, Aba, it is time to function under one Directorate and one Command.  Of course,  there is no need for a new leader,  since the one we have is near-perfect. The expelled members of the DOS of the IPOB must themselves show penitence by exuding attitudes that transmit contrition.  I have taken my time to wade through the lengthy posts on my whatsapp and messenger.  What I see as the crux of the imbroglio is pride.  Yes,  the errant ones were proud and so were those that punished them.  It is a shared blame. I think there is no need to exhume the cause(s) because what matters today is the need to unite for a better advancement of our cause  as a people.  Let the suspended and expelled members do the needful.  Sometimes it is honourable to admit you are wrong in the interest of peace and progress.  It is not the time to begin to apportion blame, since that will derail the struggle.

Our mother body under the aegis of Mazi Uche Mefor should prove its mettle for broad-based leadership by keeping its arms wide open to embrace repentant members. I write as a bridge builder, a representative of the ordinary Biafran whose heart beats for the restoration of his dear nation,  and that is willing to do everything within his power to rebirth Biafra.  As a thinker,  a refined revolutionist, it is my duty to THINK US ALL OUT OF THE BOX.  It does appear that the fastest approach is the resolution of the internal wrangling.  But who can deny that this infighting has slowed us down somewhat?  Speed in this revolution will come from a UNITED FRONT.  It is our job to make it impossible for the oppressors to find an ally that will rock our boat.  Take it or leave it,  the existence of our embattled brothers and sisters is a potential alliance for the demonic contraption.  One tactic we must deploy now is to deny them that opportunity.  Let us reabsorb our estranged family and become even more formidable.

But how different are we from this satanic contraption if we cannot forgive our own errant brothers?  Should brotherhood die because of perceived injustice?  Yes,  they made a huge mistake,  but does the mistake make them ENEMIES or DISOBEDIENT FAMILY MEMBERS? Now,  we all know the latter is the case; therefore,  should we excommunicate bad family members or correct them? The family that IPOB typifies should be a REFORMATION CENTRE that enables members to DE-NIGERIANISE themselves preparatory to the rebirth of Biafra.  When we fight like this, the enemy sees us as a divided house and seeks ways to widen the narrow divide.  I may be younger than most of you,  but my academic and revolutionary standing put me in a vantage position to build this elusive bridge.  Dr.  Clifford Iroanya et al (and others) are by this plea directed to approach the DOS of IPOB for possible harmony.  My recommendations are as follows:

1) That the suspended and expelled 11 start the confabulation process as a sign that they are ready for peace.
2) That the blame should be jettisoned by both factions at the confab in the interest of peace.
3) That all other structures be brought under the control of one directorate and both factions come under one Command, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,  who has seen it all and is still missing because of the vicious invasion.
4) That both factions work as one indivisible unit and seek ways of compelling Nigeria to produce the missing leader,  Nnamdi Kanu.
5) That,  if need be,  the ruturnees be made to retake the Oath of Allegiance as a confirmation of their readiness to work under the extant command.
6) That a formal directive be given to all Biafrans to desist forthwith insulting and attacking one another and work together for the common good of Biafra.

It is my submission that, if after having read this plea the rift continues, then both factions of our mother body are representing themselves, not us,  the people.  We are all Biafrans.  The DOS under the able leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Mazi  Mefor and others are supposed to be representing us.  It will be a huge disservice to us all should they fail to do whatever is expedient to bring our freedom.  They must all eschew whatever tincture of politics that has created this problem and do the needful.  If we cannot come together as a body,  then how can we bring the coastal and hinterland parts of our heterogeneous lands together? Our enemies are watching. The world is watching.  Our regions are also watching.  We must not allow history repeat itself. The first attempt was rocked by internal wranglings,  since some stakeholders could not get Ojukwu to reach a consensus with them.  Sabotage came from within.  We must put our acts together this time around.  I am too educated and exposed to be a part of anything that fails.  God forbid!! We must eat the humble pie and do what is best for every Biafran.
Shalom,  brothers and sisters.

Russell Idatoru Sunju Bluejack is a radical thinker, revolutionary writer,  university tutor,  counsellor, and socio-economic and political analyst that writes from the creeks in the coastal part of Biafra.