IPOB the way out- Onyekwulunne
The leader of Buhari Youth Organisation, BYO, Comrade Chuka Malvinho Onyekwulunne had before now been recruiting loyalists for President Mohammed Buhari of Nigeria among the youths through his movement. However, he shocks his estimated 5 million followers recently with his recant of his stance with President Buhari. Following is an excerpt from an exclusive interview with Osita Eze where he explained the whys and wherefores of his new position.
Can you share with us your antecedents before now, sir?
Thank you. I am Comrade Chuka Malvinho Onyekwulunne from the Southeastern part of Nigeria. I am in my late thirties. I am usually silent about specific place I came from because of the sensitive nature of my positions on national issues as well as several life threatening experiences I’ve been on throughout this period. I am a business consultant and a Miner. I am a human rights activist and before now a staunch supporter as well as canvasser for our dear president, Mohammed Buhari. I joined Buhari Youth Organisation a years plus and can boast of over 5 million members; active and non active all over the world. But right now, I have had several reasons to reconsider my position given the developments that shook my earlier belief in the president’s genuine intentions for the citizens of this country, Nigeria.
Before now, you were very passionate about President Buhari and was reported as saying you were ready to lay down your life for him. What informed this?
Sorry Sir, I never say I will lay down my life, Yes, as a young patriot, I was very keen about how to make Nigeria great. I frowned at the high degree of corruption I grew up to see in every nook and cranny of the society and I saw how this corruption continued to slow down, if not cripple the development process of the country. People would not cue up in lines but would rather struggle and waste manhour. People in Ministries, Departments and Agencies would not do their jobs unless they are bribed. Contractors cut corners and do substandard contracts aided and abetted by government officials. There was misplaced priorities everywhere as people placed material acquisition at any and all cost over integrity, industry and order.
Onyekwulunne
So when the All Progressive Congress, (APC) launched the CHANGE mantra with President Buhari at its forefront condemning corruption and vowing to deal with it as well as all its vestiges once and for all, I was beyond excited. I was very certain that God had indeed remembered Nigeria and that under Buhari regime, Nigeria and Nigerians would start wearing a more dignified look worthy of its status as the giant of Africa. But was I disappointed with the latest developments in this administration, that is an understatement. I have suddenly realised, after playing the ostrich for so long and inducing millions of young minds to do the same, that I had been deluded about President Buhari and the APC and that their agenda is more clannish than patriotic.
Those are strong words you used in your last statement especially given your position as a leader of BYO. Why do you think your turning from a proBuhari to an antiBuhari is justified, sir?
Do you not see or hear what has been happening in this country since President Buhari came into power? It has been a government of the senile for the senile of a particular tribe/religion. The rule of law which forms the fulcrum of democracy in any Nation have continued to be subjugated to the whims and caprices of the ruling class headed by the President,even the Legislature has been reduced to puppets for the cabal instead of a buffer for democracy and balance of power.
The media have continued to suffer muzzling of a historic kind and our economy has continued to wear a dismal look. Human lives no longer have any value in this country because the president under the auspices of his cabal have continued to trade with kid gloves nomads and almajiris who are being used by religious fundamentalists to unleash terror on the land. It had been conspiracy upon conspiracy and blame games by this President Buhari led administration and I am beginning to see that indeed, without God’s intervention, the president is pushing this country down a precipice. What kind of President tells you not to seek medical attention abroad but yet has his doctors in the UK and spends most of his time on medical tour abroad at the expense of the country? What kind of President would defy court injunction to release political prisoners? What kind of President would sponsor counter protest marches against citizens who wish to exercise their rights? What kind of President would order the killing of armless civilians agitating against misrule without apologies? What kind of democratic president would continue to resign heads of MDAs and replace them with persons of his own tribe/religion? Our medical and education systems are in shambles and the rate of brain drain in Buhari’s administration is astronomical, mind blowing. So many Nigerian graduates are willing to serve as common cab drivers in deserts like Dubai instead of loitering about without a decent job in a richly endowed country like Nigeria. Did you see the rate of suicide cases we have had under his adminstration? This is a president that has blatantly refused to sign the electoral reform act into law. This is a president that has continued to make unpatriotic remarks about Nigerian youths under his watch. With the continued encroachment of Fulani Herdsmen on the landmass of the Southern Nigerians and the selective witch hunt of southern political leaders (not that they are saints though), I really no longer think that President Buhari has what it takes to lead Nigeria into her promised Land.
I think that his insensitive ways may facilitate the disintegration of this nation.
What is then your message to your millions of followers who you had before now converted to be Buhari’s loyalists?
I want to start by expressing my heartfelt apologies to them especially those who blindly followed me knowing fully well how sincerely patriotic I am to this nation. However, BYO members all over the world should open their eyes to the reality on ground. The Buhari administration has done more harm than good to this country and it is high time we stopped playing the ostrich and started speaking out and demanding for accountable and responsible leadership from the presidency down. Why has the resolution of the national convention held under President Jonathan not been implemented? Why is the president against review of the 1999 constitution as amended? Why was a refinery built in a state that has no crude oil deposit? Why? Who is fooling who? So, my people should understand that indeed though we have lost a lot of friends for following Buhari (my house was burnt down and my own people hunted for my life), posterity would be kinder to us that we defied our ego and make a U turn on seeing more clearly how things are. Indeed, I think that the message of the Nnamdi Kanu led Indigenuous People of Biafra, IPOB, might be the only way out. Amotekun of the Southwest has vindicated him and the rest of the nation needs to also make hay while the sun shines. I will stand for IPOB I will stand for BIAFRA. And from now on I urge every IGBO man to stand and die for BIAFRA.
To your tents, oh Isreal.
Sir are you in touch with the leader of IPOB Dr Nnamdi Kanu?
I think is not the right time to talk about that. Thank you.
