Does any IPOB member or supporter have an idea what Buhari wanted to turn the southeast into? Let me make it simple: the idea was to turn the southeast into another northeast. It is not a secret Buhari’s hatred for the Igbos.
For those quick to defend the president, go and read his past comments on the Igbos and read those on IPOB then juxtapose it alongside his comments on the Fulani’s, the Fulani herdsmen and also Boko Haram then you will have a clear picture of how much bitterness he harbours towards the Igbos. This is why Kanu’s actions have not only been foolish but careless.
One would think that a Buhari who excused Boko Haram’s madness and resisted the branding of the group a terrorist organization, based on the argument that such treatment would worsen the situation, was going to be more careful in handling the IPOB issue.
Unless you don’t know Buhari and what he thinks of the Igbos this is what you would expect, that he handles Kanu/IPOB with care. But that’s where you’re wrong. Buhari doesn’t care if the southeast burns. You are the 5% remember. He doesn’t care if you die. The baba of gragra hasn’t forgiven you for the civil war.
This is why even though the postcription of IPOB by the southeast governor’s was illegal, I am glad that it, along with the curfew initiated by the Abia state governor, did a lot to douse tension. We were on the verge of a 2nd civil war and this time the carefully selected Nigerian army were already in the landlocked southeast hoping to wreck maximum damage.
I am glad for the role many northerners played in averting this crisis, their maturity in the face of provocation by Kanu/IPOB. Many of my Yoruba brethrens were amazing. For those whose prayer was the burning down of the southeast, shame unto you and upon you.
One can excuse IPOB of fighting a cause based on genuine grievance but it hadn’t gotten to the point of wanting secession and attempting to do so in such callous and divisive manner. Divisive, nepostic, brash and warmongers, it turned out Buhari and Kanu are the same. May we never have to deal with both men again.
Ojo Maduekwe wrote from Umuahia in Abia State
