The people of the South-South region took their own agitation to the creeks. They disrupted oil production and rendered the region generally unsafe for foreign investors, leading to the relocation of major oil companies from that region. I believe that their agitation led to the choice of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as the Vice-President and eventually as President of Nigeria.
As stated earlier, I only support the peaceful agitations of pro-Biafra activists against marginalization and will continue to distance myself from any transformation into a separatist and armed group. Take it or leave it, the Kanu phenomenon will continue to haunt the Nigerian state, if only as a reminder of the wanton neglect of and injustices against the South-East, all of which must be addressed holistically.
Part of the issues will result in questions such as: why can’t we have an Igbo President?
Why can’t we have an Igbo IGP or Chief of Army Staff?
Why should the South-East not enjoy an additional State as the other geo-political zones which all have six States?
Notwithstanding the excesses of Kanu and IPOB, these to me represent the pro-Biafra struggles. Are the Igbos part of Nigeria? Is the civil war truly over or is Nigeria still punishing the Igbos for the war?
Or what on earth is the reason for the exclusion of the Igbos from mainstream governance?
What exactly is the fear of the other regions for dreading the Igbo President?
This is why Kanu’s case becomes political, because even if you jail Kanu today, the marginalization of the Igbos will keep staring Nigeria in its face, every day.
When Gani Adams was arrested, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN stood firm for him all through his trial.
When Sunday Igboho faced his ordeal, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Yomi Aliyu, SAN and others rose in defence of his fundamental rights, while condemning his criminal tendencies.
My concern is why there is no single member of the Inner Bar from the South-East in the defence team of Kanu. Anambra State alone boasts of about forty Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Do they know something else that we do not know?”
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN
Lekki, Lagos.
09/07/2024
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