Chief Chuckwuemeka Ezeife, former governor of old Anambra State, in this interview blames the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the huge support pro-Biafra activists are getting in the South-East. Excerpts:
The agitation for Biafra lingers 45 years after the civil war. What is the problem?
You and I are aware that MASSOB is a movement for the actualization of Biafran state. But most of our people see them as a pressure group. It is in recent time that the group started gaining acceptability among serious politicians from the South-East. Otherwise, the agitators are merely perceived as a pressure group. There is also the major problem of politicians from the South-East that aspire to become the President of Nigeria one day. That is why they have not identified with MASSOB. But what is happening presently is because of the way the country is going, especially the way the South-East is treated like unwanted part of the country. This triggers more recruits for MASSOB. From this stand, the fire of Biafra is stoked by the President Buhari-led administration. It is not a matter of autonomous growth or development. All his actions in the South-East in appointments and denial caused the increase in people buying into the MASSOB agenda. Because our people say: “a person rejected, does not reject himself.”
Should that prompt some groups to the extent of floating a pirate radio station to achieve their cause?
If you feel persecuted, of course you fight with whatever means you know is justified for you. You are aware of the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the Director of Radio Biafra by the DSS, which has triggered protests in major parts of South-East? As I said earlier, President Buhari is fuelling the fire of Biafra with his actions. Because everything done against the South-East is taken advantage of by MASSOB.
So, what is the way out?
Sincerely, it is through prayers. But does it not show that the grievances of the Igbo have not been adequately addressed? It is clear that out of the six geo-political zones, all other parts have gotten appointments except the South-East.
Don’t you think some Igbo are over-reacting on this issue?
We have not seen any positive move towards the South-East. In the sense that we are denied one of the six major appointments in the country among the six geo-political zones.
Could that be what prompted your view recently, when you said there is need for the North to win back Igbo confidence?
I hope you listened to Lai Muhammed, APC spokesperson and ministerial nominee,when he said that the South-East can secede if they like, that they have done it before. Whether you like it or not, there is need for the North to improve their attitude towards the South-East. Because if you hear statements like Nigeria is better off without Igbo, you will never be happy. I urge President Buhari to turn a new leaf and be guided by the Constitution of Nigeria and live by the oath he swore to. I have always praised the President’s anti-corruption policy.
–Vanguard
