By Okey Maduforo,
Awka
While the leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, continues to bask in the euphoria of a hero since regaining his freedom, the grand patron of Biafran War Veterans, Chief Ramaz Asuzu, has described his activities as one that smacks of personal interest and self-egoism.
He said that such was the way Chief Ralph Uwazuruike of the Movement for the Actualization of A Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) started and ended up enriching himself and abandoning the struggle.
He said that before embarking on the struggle, Knau would have consulted Igbo leaders widely and seek their input rather than taking a plunge that has not yielded any result so far.
“The late Odumegwu Ojukwu fought for the course with his whole might, yet, the world powers denied us that freedom. “Through Nnamdi Kanu started with negative approach by abusing everybody through Biafra radio. Before such liberation journey, I think he should have consulted the elders. I don’t know if he actually did so but as the grand patron of War Veterans, I suppose to be in the field,” he said.
The spiritual head of Igbo emancipation further lamented how Ndigbo had been losing out in the country’s power play, warning that the actualization of Biafra is not the panacea to Igbo problem.
His words: “I think the right of Ndigbo should have been the top priority of Kanu before the agitation for Republic of Biafra.
“I am warning that with the present position of the country, Nigeria may likely disintegrate naturally without shooting a bullet.
“I don’t think there is need for any agitation to realize Biafra. The only best way for that is through the optimum implementation of the National Conference report.
“This is the only way out, let the power be at the centre so that the component zones will not be weak: let the South East be governed independently while the North, West be on their own.
“This will stop the craze of second tenure and the madness of being in power perpetually. Causing violence or abusing people in the radio will not bring any solution to our problem.
“Biafra can never be dead but only when the Igbo speak with one voice, the dream shall come true.
“Nnamdi Kanu may be right in whatever he is agitating for but who can predict what the mind habours?
“They have already divided the Igbo nation.
“They have already and deliberated on those that will not be involved in the leadership of Biafra, when it is realized.
“So, Ndigbo have not discussed on the round table and concluded that Kanu will lead the new revolution.
“Whatever they are doing is on their own, and that is why the South East governors have been mute over the whole deal.
“For me, if Kanu really wants to do anything, he has to properly consult the Igbo Elders Council.
“They sit down together to know whether Knau should be the leader because we have seen them a lot.”
Ramaz however expressed his happiness over the release but noted that the government ended up making Kanu popular by taking so long a time to grant him his freedom.
“I thank the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari for doing something that supposed to have been done for a very long time because the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu made him to be one of the famous men in the world.
“Detaining him for a long time made him a hero of our time.
“The demonstration of his mindset for Igbo liberation has given him a path on his shoulder because I don’t know any Igbo man that would present himself to fight for the liberation of Igbo nation from the shackles of marginalization in Nigeria,” he said.
The World Veteran Patron also lamented his contributions towards the repose of dead Biafran Soldiers with all his resources without commendation from anybody or the Nigerian government.
“I have performed the burial rites of over 200 war veterans and even the compensation that was promised by General Yakubu Gowon shortly after the war has not yet been fulfilled. I tried to prevail on former President, Goodluck Jonathan, to pay the South East war veterans their pension but he failed to do so.
“Even when Buhari took over, I went to the Secretary to the Federal Government with the comprehensive list of war veterans for their compensation, nothing was done.
“Unfortunately, no South Eastern governor contributed to see it realized. I am just a lonely voice, carrying the burden of those war veterans.
“I don’t know the sins the Igbo have committed that are unforgivable since after the war in 1970.
Ramaz also took a swipe on the leader of MASSOB, Ralph Uwazurike, contending that his actions were more of a Chinese revolution which looks like drinking tea in the interest of the masses.
“What about Uwazuruike when he was agitating for Biafra nation, he was not using Limosine but now, he has started using Limousine and government gave him security. He doesn’t make noise any longer and many of his boys have died in the prison for the sake of MASSOB.
“So, we don’t know the mission of Nnamdi Kanu also, because within a short time, he may start using private Jet.
“Nevertheless, Nnamdi Kanu has made us proud, for somebody to be in prison for two years for the sale of Igbo nation should be a saint.
“God has made him a living saint because had it been he is a dead saint, I don’t know if Ndigbo will remember him. Maybe they will remember him like the late Odumegwu Ojukwu who was eulogized when he was dead, he was given the title of Eze Ndigbo Gburu Gburu, some people questioned who made him the king of the Igbo.
“So, Kanu did what he did at his own risk because Igbo have not been united and they don’t speak with one voice,” he said.