The Egomaniac Biafrans and Buhari Poisit - by David Alonge

Three days after Lieutenant-Colonel Yakubu Gowon proclamation that divided Nigeria into 12 states on the 27th of May, 1967, Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu (of blessed memory) declared the Republic of Biafra; an independent state from the eastern region of Nigeria with their economy and currency. This was initially confronted with war by the Nigeria Government, but was later settled on a round table after two-and-half years on battlefield and claimed over 2 million lives.
In Gowon ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ speech, amnesty was offered to the rebels followed by the 3Rs (Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation) program. Reconciliation was needed then to bring back the nation’s unity and lost glory after the death of thousands of Nigeria soldiers through disintegration brought by wrong decision; reconstruction was meant to repair the extensive damages incurred on the nascent nation economy and infrastructures; and rehabilitation to restore the nations anthills into one.
The accord was fully supported by all Nigerians including the father and hero of Republic of Biafra, Col. Ojukwu. However, the war still leaves a big blow on the nation as it adverse effect still hunt the East till date as families affected have not gotten over noxious ache of the war, entrusting the region with national administration is story for the gods, while in federal character, the East are marginalized.
The latest agitation to recall the deadly war that ended 45 years ago is a sham to the national unity; the agitators have failed to learn from the consequences of the past mistakes; consequently, chosen to disrespect the fallen heroes. I should concur that most of the protesters, including the Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Biafra Radio, did not witness a glimpse of the war; they should not be deluded by the Hollywood movies that ended in good terms after conflicts.
Nevertheless, their fight against marginalization of the Igbo community, injustice and intimidation against the East could be justify if they have approached dialogue with the federal government, discuss their grievances on roundtable rather than taking to the street to destroy the state property in the name of protest. Inasmuch as no sane Nigerian would support the present administration on the use of security forces on the demonstrators which is against the Fundamental Human Rights entrenched in the constitution, the Biafran agitators should also know that the panacea for headache is not cutting off the head. They should decide to move out of the streets to and let dialogue commence.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari should order the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, from detention and should desist from using military approach on the issue as this keeps Nigerians doubting if the president is truly a reformed democrat. The present administration should not stalk on the past mistake of the Yar’adua government that sprang up the Boko Haram terrorist group into limelight after the assassination of Muhammed Yusuf, the then leader of the group.
PMB should seek the steps taken by the tops nations of the world on secession matters. One of the recent is the referendum method applied by the President friend and colleague from the United Kingdom, David Cameron, to the Scotland in 2013.
The earlier Mr. President learn not the trail on the mistake of the last administration by listening to the voice of the people, the better for the administration to achieving the objectives of the Change mantra.