Since news filtered a few days back that former colonizer of Nigeria, Britain plans to grant asylum to members of the Independent People of Biafra and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, the federal government of Nigeria has been terribly agitated. This could be glimpsed from the comments of some federal government officials.
Following the alleged persecution and hunting of the members of the separatist groups by the Nigerian government those so affected have applied to be granted asylum by the United Kingdom. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) reportedly had released new guidelines on how to consider and grant asylum applications by members of Biafra Secessionist groups.
In protest, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed described the decision as disrespectful adding that it would sabotage the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the country. Mohammed argues that IPOB is a proscribed group with the tag of terrorism.
The federal government’s position has attracted the wide rage among the citizens because its position flies in the face of superior reasonable facts arising from its failure to fix the country as its responsibility demands. A number of questions are necessary at this point.
Can the federal government sincerely talk about terrorism and insecurity fight when its government is habouring ministers with extremist religious views that have vociferously espoused the violent Jihadist narrative of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. President Muhammadu Buhari should exit such people if he must be taken seriously. Is it not said that those who come to equity must come with clean.
Britain cannot be fooled. It tacitly gave support to the efforts that mid-wifed the Buhari’s regime alongside America. As a former colonial master who knows well the antecedents of Nigerian leaders they appreciate firsthand the reality of the situation. British policies all along had favoured the north of the country. Taking the asylum action shows that they mean well for Nigeria.
Beyond granting asylum News Echo is appealing to UK to put pressure on the government to regularize all the issues that are precipitating the agitation for a separatist state. It is noteworthy to remark that the secessionist tendencies is no longer restricted to Biafra groups but has enveloped everywhere in the country.
Naturally, you cannot beat a child and stop him from crying. Whatever agitations and crises that are experienced in the country is rooted in bad governance and failure of leaders to feel the pulse and respect the yearning of the people. They are more interested in foisting their own interest on the people and in the circumstance nothing is working or can work.
The wheel of governance has become too large for the president to steer because so many citizens discomforted by his absolute failure in every area are now rising in protest. All of them are not sincerely committed to the survival of the country given their level of corrupt tendencies and which they have perpetuated through class protection.
News Echo calls on the leaders at all to be reminded that the welfare of the people is entrusted in their care and that they are accountable for every of their actions, good or bad, whether or not they realize this fact.
Only a genuine commitment to meet the aspirations of the generality of the people is what can stem insecurity and all manner of agitations. They should stop playing politics with people’s lives.
