Proscribed since 2017, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group, now fancies attacking Nigerian leaders on foreign soil. But this new strategy is hardly winning the group any applause, writes OGOCHUKWU IKEJE, with reports from CHRIS OJI (Enugu), OKODILI NDIDI (Imo) and ELEKWA EMMA (Onitsha)
After suffering some reverses in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, in 2017 at the hands of the military during Operation Python Dance, including the hurried escape of its leader Nnamdi Kanu, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is doing everything possible to remain relevant and cause as much trouble as possible. The separatist group was disowned by governors of the Southeast states, a region Kanu and much of IPOB’s membership hails from. It was also proscribed.
But on August 17, members of the group roughened up Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President, in Nuremberg, Germany. Unremorseful, IPOB promised more rough time for Nigerian leaders once they set foot on foreign soil. Kanu himself rallied his members to attack President Muhammadu Buhari who travelled to Japan early last week. All of this triggered much concern among Nigeria leaders. Some prospective travellers shelved their plans. President Buhari has not come under any attack
Back home Kanu and his group came under attack, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation clearly condemned the attack on Ekweremadu.
The Movement of the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) warned the IPOB to stop making jest of the struggle for a Biafran independent state.
The separatist group noted that the recent directive of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to his members in the Diaspora to attack Nigerian political leaders who travel abroad, has brought the struggle to ridicule, especially before the international community.
They pointed out that the directive runs against the ideals of the Biafran struggle which is hinged on non-violent struggle and peaceful advocacy.
A statement signed by the MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, read, “The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) as a foremost mother of all known and unknown groups agitating for Biafra actualisation and restoration advise IPOB to stop making caricature of Biafran struggle for emancipation.
“Every step that jeopardises the people’s struggle will take us backwards. Every backwardness in the struggle will grossly affect the actualisation and restoration of Biafra. The nature of Biafra struggle and international view and diplomatic approach towards Biafra restoration is overbearing of numerous internal and external interest that borders on economical, political, religious, social and diplomatic interest”.
Continuing, he said, “Having seen that Biafra and her people are strategically positioned to influence the affairs of future worldwide polity, the agitators of Biafra actualisation and restoration must be extremely careful about our approach towards Biafra actualisation and restoration.
“MASSOB as a leading figure of current Biafra agitation advice other pro Biafra groups including IPOB that Igbo political leaders are not the major obstacle of our chances of achieving independence from Nigeria state, the major hurdles militating against the freedom of Biafra people from Nigeria is non cohesion and brotherhood among the leaders of leading pro Biafra groups. The tendency of superiority complex on ideology and the spirit of lordship over others are the detrimental tendencies grossly affecting the freedom of Biafrans.
“Ike Ekweremadu and other perceived and alleged enemies of Biafra are not our major obstacle against Biafra. IPOB can never actualise Biafra alone, neither MASSOB, LNC, BNC, BIM, EPC, BILLIE Human Rights Initiatives and others operating individually can achieve Biafra alone. Biafra will be more achievable when a strong coalition of MASSOB, IPOB, Lower Niger Congress, BNC, BIM and others from Niger Delta regions are established under a collegiate leadership.
“The tendency of grooming authoritarian leadership under any guise in Igbo land and Biafra in general will never be tolerated because the republican nature of Igbo man does not allow such authoritative and empirical rulership.
“MASSOB also condemns the directives to attack the governors of Southeast. Consciously attacking a governor will never give us Biafra but will continue sending our youths to untimely deaths because every attack on a governor will attract the trigger happy Hausa Fulani security agents in Igbo land to open fire on our defenceless youths. Tomorrow, they will say governors ordered the killings of IPOB members.
“MASSOB calls and extend a hand of fellowship to IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, BIM led by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, BNC led Alhaji Dokubo Asari and other pro Biafra groups to rally together in the true spirit of Biafra and defend Biafra land from the Fulani invaders and marauders. The era of propagandas and talking on radio / newspaper have gone, people’s opinions on social media will never give us Biafra. Let’s unite and confront our common enemy. Though our governors and other leaders are not assisting the Biafra struggle, we can engage them traditionally, not insulting them”.
In Anambra State President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Damian Okeke-Ogene, said they stood behind the President General of the organisation who had already issued a statement on the matter.
Speaking to our correspondent on phone, Okeke-Ogene said, “I can’t say any other thing outside what our President General, Chief Dr. Nnia Nwodo had said.
“It’s a national issue and whatever the President General says is our position.”
Civil Liberties Organisation, Anambra State chapter has asked the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to tender unreserved apology to former deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu over Saturday’s attack in Germany.
It noted that the ugly incident was a practical demonstration of the assertion that “Igbos do not have kings.”
Chairman of the body, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, in a statement on Wednesday in Onitsha, described the attack as disgraceful to the Igbo race.
He said, “The attitude of the perpetrators is most despicable, condemnable, barbaric, inhuman and horrendous.
“Ekweremadu is supposed to be applauded, commended and reciprocated considering his sacrifices towards protecting and projecting Igbo interest.”
He insisted that the Igbos in diaspora must learn how to be civil, dynamic, diplomatic and tactful.
According to him, any disagreement with their leaders should be amicably resolved with respect rather than toying the part of violence.
“If they have any disagreement with their political leaders, it must be resolved amicably with respect, corrections, not condemnation or violence.
“Like Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu would say, “Violence is the worst form of irresponsibility,” he added.
Ezekwueme enjoined the lawmaker to borrow a leaf from what Sen. Robert Thadt did in America by extending love and forgiveness to his attackers.
In Enugu State, a former chairman Ohanaeze Youth wing, Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji lashed out at the IPOB leader.
“Why have we allowed Nnamdi Kanu to con us all?” he asked. “The motive of the Nuremberg show of shame was not about fighting corruption or bad governance. No, Nnamdi Kanu leveraged on that to do a hatchet job on Ekweremadu. In fact, as a master of the game, he guessed right. Nigerians, not just Ndigbo’s gullibility and resentment of their political class, will make his action popular and stop most people from reading between the lines.
Oji had stern questions for Kanu:
“Why accuse Ekweremadu of inviting Python Dance when all available evidence shows he openly opposed same?
“Why accuse him of taking ICC President Chilo Osuji to Aso Rock for Buhari to bribe him?
“Why accuse innocent people of joining to invite Python Dance? All the people mentioned are known to me and they bitterly denied it. Imagine accusing 84-year-old Arthur Nwankwo, one of those Nnamdi Kanu himself paid visited after his release from Kuje [prison], a man who has not been attending meetings for long based on health challenges. What of Archbishop Chukwuma and Dr Joe Nwaorgu, men who are arch-Buhari/APC enemies? Yet, IPOB said they also supported Python Dance.
“Imagine his sustained attack on Chief Nnia Nwodo, a charismatic leader who paid his dues in the Igbo struggle, long ago. A born activist who never pulls his punches. Rather, like Dr Jo Nwaorgu, another elder Nnamdi Kanu accused of “begging Abba Kyari to bring on Python Dance”, Nwodo tells you to your Face if he hates. When Nnamdi Kanu visited Nwodo after his release from Kuje, the author of this epistle facilitated it through Uche Okwukwu and Law Mefor. Why smear such a man? Ndigbo, have we ever drawn back from our present “mob mode” to ask ourselves a simple question: How many years does it take to build a leader who the world contends with? How many years does it take to build an Nnia Nwodo or an Ekweremadu?
“Why has IPOB not gone after the Fulani terror herdsmen with their BSS (Biafran Security Services)?
“What social service is IPOB rendering to Ndigbo? In its heyday, MASSOB organized her members to keep Aba clean by clearing blocked drainages
“An uncoordinated revolution can be worse than no revolution. If IPOB wants a revolution, why did they not organise #revolutionnow protests in the East?”
“No doubt, Nnamdi Kanu is a hero, he did the undoable. However, he needs to retrace his steps so as to stop destroying the much needed Igbo unity of purpose. For Biafra to work, he needs to consult Brother Asari Dokubo who is doing much work with less noise by getting the various peoples of the then Biafra to sign unto a United States of Biafra. Just as Prof Phillip Effiong, Jnr said earlier this month in Enugu, “Biafra is not an Igbo Project, we are all part of Biafra and we all suffered for it”
A a tricycle operator in Enugu, Sinclair Igwenagu Justified the order by the IPOB leader to his followers to attack Igbo leaders visiting foreign countries.
He said, “The Igbo leaders especially those in political offices have sold out Ndigbo to the Fulani. They are the ones making it impossible for Biafra to be achieved. Just because of political office, they will not support a project that will benefit them and their children’s children.
Nnamdi Kanu is doing the right thing. He is going the right direction. And we are following him. I will like the order to attack Igbo leaders visiting foreign countries to be extended to those who have investments in Nigeria outside Igboland. Those are the real obstacles to achievement of Biafra because of their huge investments in other parts of Nigeria. They are not willing to lose their investment and return to Biafra. As long as these people continue to exist the Biafra dream will never come true.”
A teacher who simply gave his name as Ugwu sees the order with mixed feelings.
“I will support whatever nonviolent action that will lead to the realisation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Biafra. I am against attacking our leaders visiting abroad. Let the IPOB chaps consider adopting diplomatic approach to the issue. Becoming violent will not do any good to the image of the Igbo people. And it will give credence to the tag of terrorist group given to IPOB by the Nigerian government.
Again Nnamdi Kanu should know that many Igbo leaders actually have the interest of Ndigbo. He should try and identify the particular ones who are saboteurs. He should not just see every Igbo leader or those that do not support his approach as detractors. For example what they did to Senator Ekweremadu was wrong. Ekweremadu is the best performing senator from the South east. He has done a lot for his people and he is still doing. Let Nnamdi Kanu and his members be cautious otherwise their approach will spell a doom on the Biafra agitation’’.