The Southeastern part of Nigeria has been navigating a complicated and ever-changing political landscape. At the heart of this shift is the ...
The Southeastern part of Nigeria has been navigating a complicated and ever-changing political landscape. At the heart of this shift is the unarguable allegiance of the people to the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by indefatigable Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The days are long gone when traditional rulers in communities were held in high regard. Similarly, the time when clergymen were revered is over. The security forces have lost their dignity, and the public no longer holds them in high esteem. The only remaining source of hope for the people is the authority of the Indigenous People of Biafra, which has consistently upheld its commitments to date.
The rate of insecurity in the Southeast is alarming. Terrorists from the North have relocated to this region with little challenge from state actors or local vigilantes. Traditional rulers remain silent, unable to voice their concerns to the governor due to instructions to maintain their silence. Should they disobey, they risk being deposed.
The marginalization of the Southeast has deep historical roots, tracing back to the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) when the former Eastern Region attempted to secede as the Republic of Biafra. Even after the war ended, the Igbo and other ethnic groups in the Southeast have consistently expressed their frustrations over being excluded from federal power structures, facing underdevelopment, and experiencing economic neglect.
Several years of democratic governance have not significantly addressed these issues. Despite having governors, senators, and other political officials from the Southeast, a large segment of the population has lost confidence in them. Many believe that these leaders have compromised their integrity, prioritizing the interests of the federal government over those of the people who elected them.
The emergence of IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) in 2012 was akin to a pressure group focused on exposing corruption in Nigeria, particularly highlighting the marginalization of the Southeast region in national affairs. The group also called for a referendum to determine if the people of Southeast Nigeria want to remain part of Nigeria or seek self-determination.
Over time, IPOB gained broad support from the populace as they engaged with the media and civil society organizations, holding rallies and community sensitization events. However, when the Nigerian government ordered soldiers and police to open fire on the protesters, IPOB lost more than 5,000 members. In response, a new form of civil disobedience emerged: the Sit-at-home protest. Eventually, the people of the Southeast embraced this initiative, demonstrating more respect and allegiance to IPOB than to the government.
Several factors contributed to IPOB's growing popularity and respect by the people.
The major factor contributing to IPOB’s growth is consistency. IPOB has stuck to a clear and unwavering message of liberation and self-determination. IPOB moves with the message of hope to the people. They work from the grassroots and strike a chord with the frustrations of the everyday southeastern population, who feel the pain of marginalization and lack of economic opportunities and are left out of national conversations.
IPOB has always stood in the gap by providing security to communities where the Terrorist Fulani herdsmen are killing people and destroying their farmlands and houses. Eastern Security Network, a vigilante arm of IPOB, has done great by giving protection to the hapless citizens residing in the Southeast. The courageous leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra has consistently confronted Powers both at the Federal and local levels, accusing them of betrayal and complicity in the region's marginalization and constant mass murder by the invading Terrorist herdsmen.
Southeastern politicians, by all measures, have failed to connect with the people they represent. They are increasingly out of touch with the realities faced by their constituencies. Many political leaders in the Southeast have remained silent on national issues and pressing concerns affecting the region, such as the actions of terrorist herdsmen, insecurity, and economic marginalization. Rather than prioritizing the collective progress of the region, they focus on their own political survival and personal gain.
These shortcomings have contributed to the rise of IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra). The growing influence of IPOB has overshadowed the political class and government, and this shift is unlikely to change unless the political establishment improves its approach to winning the trust of the people. As time passes, there is a rapid decline in confidence in these leaders. While there may be debates regarding the methods and goals of IPOB, its emergence highlights a significant truth: when formal institutions fail to meet the expectations of their people, those individuals will naturally seek alternative representation, which, in this case, is IPOB.
The sovereign State of Biafra, which the IPOB advocates for, will surely come to pass. It's just a question of time.
Written by
Uko Adams
Edited by
Oby M
For Enugu State Media Team
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