How Not To End The Renewed Biafra Agitation

Editor’s note: Previously, Naij.com’s authors have talked about how the government’s seemingly erroneous treatment of the sensitive Biafra issue has paved way to today’s picture of mass uprisings and protests. Today, Ebuka Onyekwelu, the Naij.com columnist, lays out a plan before the Nigerian government on how to resolve the Biafra agitation movement peacefully and with dignity.

Agitation and resentment towards the state by a section of its population is not new in the political world either in itself as an event, or unknown yet throughout Nigeria’s history. It is therefore something that is not strange or for that matter new.

In Nigeria, we have had several attempts by some section of Nigerians to separate from the country. Before independence in 1960, an attempt was staged by northerners in May 1953 with the “Eight Point Agenda” through which the region would have divorced Nigeria. The attempt was not violent, it was rather a well-thought strategy for self determination in defense of the region’s standing against any attempt for independence at the time construed as against the interest of the region.

Then again in 1966, Isaac Boro and his Niger Delta Volunteer Force declared the Niger Delta Republic in an attempt to assert their right of self determination given perceived marginalization of the region by the country. They fought and engaged government forces for twelve days before they were overpowered.

The eastern region was declared Republic of Biafra in 1967 which was followed by events that culminated in a civil war with attendant destructive damages and the loss of about €300 million fortune by the federal government to prosecute the war.

From the above we can infer therefore that the current agitation for Biafra is nothing new or spectacular for Nigeria. Though certainly it is of concern. Very important is the response of the Nigerian government to this renewed demand for the sovereign state of Biafra. The right response is so important that it can decide the outcome of the agitation more than the agitation itself.

How not to respond

As observed, the new agitation for Biafra has not been violent; it can at worst be referred to as public nuisance. There is no imminent threat constituted by the agitators. They stage rallies, showing off purported Biafra flag and gyrating in a somewhat dramatic manner.

Nnamdi Kalu, the director of Radio Biafra, is known for hard talks and extreme verbal abuse of Nigeria and the state officials. He has never fired a gun or killed anybody “for Biafra”.

In essence, the agitation is still at a level where if the government steps in adequately with apt response, everything will be placed under control. But so far, the response of Nigeria through its means of coercion — the police, army and navy — does not convey the faintest suggestion that Nigeria is in charge of the situation.

Insofar, as the Biafra agitation is non-violent, using violence on the agitators would only serve to confirm the resentment and accusations of violation and marginalization against the people by the country. This does not help Nigeria win; it further depreciates the acceptance of the country by some people in the region who firmly believe that such agitation is but a waste.

The situation in Onitsha, Anambra state, last week where at least one member of the Indigenous People of Biafra procession was allegedly shot and killed, and many were wounded, casts Nigeria in a complete bad light, not necessarily for the self-acclaimed Biafrans, moreso for those who do not believe in the renewed struggle for Biafra.

This kind of clampdown on non-violent agitators rends credence to the claims of the protesters and validates their cause. The implication is that by the time the agitators are forced to militarize, Nigeria would have placed itself in a terribly difficult situation of struggling to maintain peace and order in the east, alongside fighting terrorism in the north, and likely trying to ensure peace in the Niger Delta.

It will be a very dangerous if not terminal ailment for the country to deal with. Nigeria is losing support by the way it is handling the issue, and it is not in the best national interest of indivisible Nigeria to use force on any non-violent agitator.

How to respond

Nigeria should just learn from the past experiences in handling agitations of marginalization and violation. The use of governmental power and coercion has never been viable in dealing with those kinds of issues.

We have as ample example the Niger Delta case where the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight others only increased the agitation and in fact escalated the use of violence by the agitators. I hold no brief for any agitator, but history has taught us that the way a country responds to agitation either weakens or strengthens the agitator’s camp. And so whether the agitation for Biafra is to succeed or fail depends largely upon the manner in which the government responds.

The Nigerian government should naturally look at the past events and learn. First of all, the country should clear itself of accusations of marginalization, step up its presence in the region and publicize its efforts in meeting the needs of Nigerians in the area. This will severely damage the basis for the agitation so that the road is cleared for criminal elements under that guise to be fished out easily.

Also, security forces should monitor the activities of the agitators closely, but avoid perpetrating any form of violence against members of the movement, as assuming the position of the law by punishing or killing them is only but an affirmation of the accusations against the country which would only fortify and brace up the agitators, as well as reinforce them to do their worst. Nigeria cannot win with such response.

Ebuka Onyekwelu for Naij.com

Ebuka Onyekwelu is a political scientist. He is a public affairs analyst and activist with concerted interest in Africa’s crisis of development and leadership. Follow him on Twitter @ebukaequity.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com, its editors or other contributors.

Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Facebook and Twitter. Read more on Naij.com, subscribe to the Naij.com Opinion page!

The post How Not To End The Renewed Biafra Agitation appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.