By Ejike Ofoegbu
It all started when the order to sit at home on 30th May, 2017 was pronounced by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB. The Nigerian government rose against it, engineered the governors in Biafra to vilify it (and they did). Despite that, there was visible panic and anxiety over the impact the event would create; as a result, the Nigerian government rained threats and deployed their blood-thirsty security operatives -the result was counterproductive for them.
30th May came, the Sit-At-Home order was obeyed, compliance was thorough, the determination intimidated the Nigerian government and most of all, it erased every claim of disunity by the Nigerian media and politicians.
Ever since, the Nigerian government knew they have lost the argument; they understood how close Biafrans are to their freedom, they realized their propaganda can no longer stand the test of time. This resulted to an outpour of emotions from the Nigerian media (led by Channels Television) and politicians against IPOB and other agitating groups.
The peak of it came from the Arewa Youths, which was later backed by Arewa Elders, where a quit notice was issued to Biafrans residing in Northern Nigeria to vacate the region before October 1, 2017. This development was welcomed by IPOB, as it was seen as a move that will hasten the disintegration of Nigeria and the rebirth of the ancient city of Biafra.
Recall that Nnamdi Kanu said long before this time, that “a time will come when Nigeria will literally beg Biafrans to leave.”
Still on the quit notice, it is unusual for these blood-thirsty nomads to grant such tolerance before striking. In all the over 20 pogroms they have perpetrated since 1945 against Biafrans, it was only in 1966 they showed such kindness; hence, any Biafran who loses his/her life in this planned genocide will be seen as suicidal act.
The agitation has narrowed down to a matter of life or death. It is either we come back to our land, rebuild ourselves and save our lives or remain in Northern Nigeria, lose our properties and our lives too. Arewa Youths made it easier for IPOB this time; it cannot be any better than this. If this is a sacrifice needed to restore Biafra, we should consider it too little a sacrifice.
30th May event has completely changed the tempo, pace, cadence and rhythm of this agitation. It has set Biafra on a new pathway; it erased every doubt and posited Biafra on the side of victory. All we need is to be consistent, persistent and determined -Biafra is here!
