Taking into account the negative energy, heat and attention focused on the agitations of secessionist groups led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho it would be clear that no one is really talking about the governance issues created by the government. One would prefer to label this self-imposed distraction.
While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is leading the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) to gun for a separatist Biafra State, Igboho on the other hand is fighting off invading Fulani killer herdsmen who are tormenting his Yoruba people. In same manner, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) another wing of IPOB is securing the Igbo land against menace of same Fulani cattle rearers.
The ongoing activities of the above anti-government leaders have drawn so much attention representing key discourses in public space. It is naturally expected because it revolves around our existence as a nation. Besides, it throws up the issues of equity, fairness and balance which are critical ingredients that make for our cohesiveness as a nation.
The concern is that these issues would not have been there if proper steps are taken by those at the driving seat of power and now it is taking a serious toll on the nation in terms of loss of lives, resources destroyed and above all scaring investors and exposing our fragile economy to wilt further and crash. The implications are far reaching.
Government it seems appear thrilled by all that is happening little wonder it has refused to take concrete measures to arrest the slide. Last weekend, Sunday Igboho led his Yoruba people on a protest march to agitate for the liberation of Yoruba people. In the process a 14-year old street hawker was felled by stray bullet.
There is agitation in the East, in the West, in the Middle Belt, in the Niger Delta and violent uprisings all over the place. This signifies deepening cracks in the unity of this country which is also threatening its existence. It is sad people no longer travel freely from one part of the country to another.
According to a human rights activist, University don and former Imo APGA guber aspirant, “Everything going on now in the country is a huge distraction. The real thing going on is the terrible maladministration of the country and failure of the advantaged political elites across the country to agree that the country is heading towards hell and needs to be radically reversed. This is the major issue now.
Continuing he said, “The country is at the birth stool but no wise midwives. The prospect of a beautiful new child is being forgone and we may be left with a terrible miscarriage that will haunt everyone for a long time to come. We can have a new Nigeria negotiated away from the problems of 1806, 1897, 1900, 1906, 1914, 1963, and 1999. We can review the past and build a ‘more perfect union’ founded on justice, freedom and self-determination.”
News Echo notes with concern that the present distractions which appear unending today has a potential threat against our democracy as 2023 approaches. Many have already given up that 2023 is not assured drawing from the current political realities playing out. It is our concern again that government should sincerely begin to address the issues that gave rise to the travails the country is grappling with. This is the only way to win back everything.
