The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a separatist movement in Nigeria that seeks to establish an independent state for the Igbo people in south-eastern Nigeria. The group was founded in 2012 by Nnamdi Kanu, the de facto leader currently in the gulag, because of a series of destructive acts perpetrated via incendiary video and audio ghost clips trending on social media.
Owing to the series of infamous calls for weekly lockdown and sit-at-home, its terrorising activities to compel people to obey and honour its incessant directive that is crippling innocent citizens economic, social, and political activities that impinge on their fundamental human rights to carry out their legitimate activities within the purview of Nigerian law, and the indiscriminate cold-blooded killings of innocent souls across the region, this incidence made the Nigerian government apparently designate IPOB as a terrorist organisation.
There have been clashes between the group and security forces in recent years. IPOB has been accused of carrying out attacks on security personnel and infrastructure, as well as inciting violence and secessionist sentiments.
Overall, the issue of IPOB and its demands for secession highlight the deep-seated political, social, and economic divisions that exist within Nigeria. It is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and dialogue to address in a constructive manner.
The Nigerian narratives surrounding IPOB are complex, multifaceted, and contentious. Some Nigerians view the group as a legitimate expression of the grievances of the Igbo people, who have historically been marginalised and excluded from the political power equation in Nigeria.
Others see IPOB as a threat to the unity and stability of the country and view its demands for secession as a dangerous precedent that could lead to the further balkanization of Nigeria. The government believes that IPOB’s activities pose a threat to national security and that it has a responsibility to maintain law and order.
Hence, the Nigerian government has taken a hardlines stance against IPOB, with some critics accusing it of using excessive force against the group and its supporters. In a nutshell, it is important to recognise that there are multiple perspectives and opinions on the matter and that the issue is intertwined with a range of historical, political, and economic factors.
The Igbo people are predominantly located in south-eastern Nigeria and make up a significant percentage of the population. A whole lot of them live in different places in the world. The CIA World Factbook puts the Igbo population of Nigeria at 18% of a total population of 230 million, or approximately 42 million people.
Similarly, the Igbo people’s narratives about IPOB are also multiform and varied. Some Igbo people support IPOB’s call for an independent state of Biafra, viewing it as a legitimate expression of their right to self-determination and protection against marginalisation and discrimination.
These supporters often point to the historical injustices suffered by the Igbo people, including the Biafran War of the 1960s, as evidence of the need for a separate state. However, there are also Igbo people who are critical of IPOB’s methods and approach. Some argue that the group’s tactics, including its calls for boycotts and civil disobedience, are not effective and only serve to harm the economic and social well-being of the Igbo people.
Others express concern about the potential for violence and instability that could result from a secessionist movement. Also, there are Igbo people who do not support IPOB at all, viewing the group as a divisive force that is not representative of the broader Igbo community.
These individuals often emphasise the importance of national unity and the need for all Nigerians to work together to address the country’s challenges. Overall, the Igbo narratives about IPOB reflect the diversity of opinions and perspectives within the Igbo community. While some support the group’s goals and tactics, others are critical of or even opposed to its approach.
The emergence of an Igbo man Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, as a formidable candidate with the mantra “Take Back Your Country”, doused the tension in the Southeast and was initially received with a tinge of hope by the Igbo people, who have long sought to occupy the presidency of Nigeria, as they have historically claimed to have been marginalised in the political and economic systems of the country. There has been a growing clamour for an Igbo president among many in the region, particularly as other regions of Nigeria have occupied the presidency in recent years.
Peter Obi’s candidature was thus seen by many Igbo people as a step forward in the quest for an Igbo president, and he received significant support from the Igbo community, the Christian community, and the Lagos ENDSARS renegade that metamorphosed into Obidients movement,” as they are fondly called, in the 2023 election. However, it should be noted that support for him was not limited to the Igbo community, as he was also seen as a capable and experienced candidate with a track record of good governance.
The pyrrhic loss of the presidential election to the candidate of the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), demoralised the Labour Party supporters, who have since resorted to both conventional and unconventional means of reclaiming their acclaimed lost mandate.
The IPOB, which is emotionally attached to and supports Peter Obi, has picked up the gauntlet to continue where they have otherwise stopped before the 2023 presidential election. Something urgent should be done to address the loss of confidence by a whole major ethnic group (the Igbo) in the continuity and togetherness of the Nigerian federation.
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Precisely to address the scourge of divisiveness in the current political climate, the incoming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) is admonished to take a holistic conciliatory approach to IPOB and the Easterners. One possible way to start this is for the Nigerian government to engage in dialogue with IPOB leaders and other stakeholders in the Southeast region to address their grievances and find a peaceful resolution to the issue.
This could involve addressing issues related to political representation, economic development, and social justice in the region. Another solution is for the federal and state governments to improve their governance and address the underlying issues that have led to the rise of separatist movements like IPOB and others across the country.
This could involve tackling corruption, improving infrastructure, addressing issues related to security, education, and healthcare in the Southeast region and other parts of the country, and most especially power sharing among the major components that make up the federation.
Ultimately, any solution to the IPOB issue would need to be based on mutual respect, dialogue, and compromise between all stakeholders, including the federal government, IPOB leaders, and the people of the Southeast region. It will require a long-term commitment to addressing the underlying issues and building a more inclusive and equitable society in Nigeria.
Bello, a social commentator, writes from Canada.
