Some issues go beyond politics. They touch the heart, stir painful memories and force us to ask difficult questions about justice, equality ...
Some issues go beyond politics. They touch the heart, stir painful memories and force us to ask difficult questions about justice, equality and the kind of country we want to live in.
For many people who identify with the Biafran struggle, the activities and aims of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are connected to long-standing concerns about identity, representation, security and their place in Nigeria. Others have serious concerns about separatist politics and the impact of insecurity on ordinary people.
Whatever position we hold, one question deserves an honest answer: can lasting peace be achieved when the grievances of a community remain unresolved?
BIAFRA IS MORE THAN A NAME
To understand why the Biafran question remains alive, we must be willing to look at history.
The Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970 left behind unimaginable suffering, broken families and painful memories. For many Igbo families, the consequences of that war are not simply a chapter in a history book. They remain part of family stories, inherited memories and conversations passed from one generation to the next.
Decades later, concerns about marginalization, political representation, insecurity and belonging continue to shape conversations across the Southeast. People may disagree about the causes of these concerns or how best to address them, but dismissing them will not make them disappear.
We cannot keep asking why people feel angry or unheard without being willing to listen to what they are saying. Disagreement with the Biafran struggle should never become an excuse to ignore the people and concerns behind it.
UNDERSTANDING IPOB AND THE BIAFRAN QUESTION
IPOB has become a prominent voice in the campaign for Biafran self-determination. Its supporters view the movement as a way to express concerns about identity, political exclusion and the future of the Southeast. Others oppose its separatist objectives or worry about the security consequences associated with the wider conflict.
These different views make it even more important to discuss the Biafran question honestly and responsibly. A political movement can be challenged, and unlawful conduct can be investigated where there is credible evidence, while the underlying concerns of the people are still taken seriously.
A fair society must protect the right to peaceful expression and ensure that questions about rights, security and accountability are addressed through lawful and transparent processes. Political disagreement should not strip anyone of dignity or due process.
WILL FORCE RESOLVE THE BIAFRAN QUESTION?
The Biafran question is bigger than any individual or organization. Even when political leaders change, or security operations continue, the historical and political questions surrounding Biafra do not automatically disappear.
People will still want to know whether they are adequately represented, whether their communities are safe, whether their children have equal opportunities and whether their concerns matter to those in power.
The government has a responsibility to maintain security and enforce the law. It also has a responsibility to listen to citizens and address legitimate grievances. No country can build lasting unity through fear alone. A government can disagree with IPOB’s demands, challenge its ideas and act against criminal conduct where evidence supports doing so. But these actions do not remove the need to address the deeper issues that keep political grievances alive. A problem left unresolved today may become more difficult to address tomorrow.
ORDINARY PEOPLE MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN
While politicians debate, security operations continue, and movements make their demands, ordinary people are left to live with the consequences.
There are mothers who worry about their children, traders who fear losing their livelihoods, young people who wonder what the future holds, and families who simply want to go to work, send their children to school and return home safely.
The Southeast has experienced serious insecurity, including violence involving different armed actors and allegations of abuses by security forces. Every incident deserves a credible investigation, and responsibility should be established based on evidence.
No government should tolerate unlawful killings, torture or arbitrary detention. Equally, no movement should intimidate civilians, force people to obey political demands or endanger innocent lives.
The people whose future is being debated must never become the forgotten victims of that debate. They deserve peace, security and the freedom to express their opinions without fear. They deserve a future in which their children do not inherit the same cycle of fear, anger and uncertainty.
THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT MUST BE WILLING TO LISTEN
National unity is important, but genuine unity cannot be built by asking people to remain silent about their grievances. It grows when citizens feel that their lives matter, their rights are protected, and their concerns are taken seriously.
The Nigerian government should ensure that the law is applied fairly, credible allegations of abuse are investigated, peaceful political expression is respected, and meaningful steps are taken to address insecurity. It should also create opportunities for honest dialogue about the concerns that sustain support for self-determination.
The government does not have to agree with every demand made by IPOB to recognize the importance of listening to people who support Biafra or self-determination. Listening is not surrender. Dialogue is not weakness. Addressing grievances is not the same as endorsing every political position. Sometimes, the strongest thing a government can do is face an uncomfortable question honestly rather than allow resentment to deepen.
THE BIAFRAN MOVEMENT ALSO HAS A RESPONSIBILITY
A fair argument must acknowledge that responsibility does not rest with the government alone.
Those advocating for Biafra must also recognize the value of human life, respect the rights of people who disagree with them and reject violence against innocent people. No political aspiration should be pursued at the expense of the very people it claims to defend.
Movements are strongest when they present their arguments peacefully, respect differences and place the welfare of ordinary people above personal ambition. Self-determination is a serious political question that deserves serious discussion, credible leadership and a commitment to peaceful engagement.
People should be free to support Biafra, oppose it or question it without being threatened or treated as enemies. The future must not be decided by fear.
WHAT KIND OF NIGERIA DO WE WANT?
This is a question for every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliation.
Do we want a country where people are afraid to speak about their concerns, or one where difficult conversation can take place honestly? Do we want unity that exists only in official speeches, or unity built on fairness, trust and mutual respect?
When a political issue becomes deeply emotional and divisive, are we prepared to seek solutions that protect human life and recognize the dignity of everyone involved? These questions are not exclusive to the Southeast. They concern the future of Nigeria as a whole.
When one community feels unheard, the entire country should be concerned. When civilians suffer, their pain should matter regardless of who they are. Questions about justice must be answered through the law, evidence and transparent processes.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
I believe the Biafran question deserves more than insults, stereotypes and endless arguments on social media. It deserves an honest conversation.
The concerns expressed by IPOB supporters should not automatically be dismissed, and the security fears of those who oppose separatist politics should also be taken seriously. We cannot build peace by pretending that only one side has questions that need answering. Biafra represents different things to different people.
For some, it is a call for independence. For others, it is a painful reminder of history, a demand for dignity or an expression of frustration with the Nigerian state. Whatever it represents to each person, the human beings behind the debate must never be forgotten.
My position is simple: justice must be fair, human life must be protected, peaceful voices must be heard, and genuine grievances must not be ignored.
Nigeria is bigger than any one movement or government. Its future depends on whether its people can find a way to live with dignity, fairness and mutual respect. The answer to a difficult political question cannot always be force. Sometimes, it requires the courage to listen, the humility to acknowledge mistakes and the wisdom to seek a lasting solution.
Let justice be done. Let innocent lives be protected. Let the people be heard. And let peace be built on truth, not silence.
Because at the end of the day, beyond the politics and arguments, ordinary people simply want to live, raise their children and grow old in peace. Surely, that is not too much to ask.
Written by Adaeze Vivian Nzelu-Iheanacho
Luton Zonal Officer
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