The call by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for the actualization of a sovereign state, has made many throw sanity and respect into the air.
The overzealous members of the proscribed group have taken it upon themselves to attack prominent Nigerians outside the shores of Nigeria.
The recent attack on the former deputy senate president, Sen. Ike Ekweremmadu in Nuremberg, Germany, was a show of shame, and a display of disunity, hatred seen among the Igbo. No wonder the saying ‘ Igbo enwegi eze’.
Sen. Ekweremadu had honoured the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday, 17 August, 2019, only to be attacked by some Nigerians residing in Germany.
The video which was has gone viral displayed a degrading scene where the senator, was dragged like a little boy and was severely beaten, with eggs thrown at him by the IPOB members until he was swiftly whisked out of the area with shredded coat of arms cloth he worn to the festival. The tone of his attackers was ridden with anger, as they questioned his contribution to settle the killings of the Igbo in the south Eastern and northern part of the country.
They also asked what he has done to the Fulani killings, marginalization of the zone, unemployment and other atrocities going on in the zone.
After the attack, the Indigenous people of Biafra justified its action by further listing names of prominent Nigerians to attack which include the south east governors, prominent politicians from the zone, as they accused them of proscribing the group by tagging it a terrorist group.
The leader of the proscribed group further pledged the sum of one million naira for anyone with information revealing when any of the prominent leaders will leave the country.
Also, the chief of Army Staff, was on their danger list, reason being that he carried out the Python dance in Abia state which led to the death of it’s members, while the leader of the group, Nnamdi KANU was smuggled out of the country after the army laid siege in his compound for days before withdrawing.
However, to the group, the likes of Sen. Enyinnaya Abribe, representing Abia South in the upper chamber and Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, have always spoken out on matters affecting the zone, even when Kayode is not from south east.
Different bodies such as the APC, PDP, Omo-Agege group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo have out rightly condemned the attack on Sen. Ike Ekweremmadu, describing it as an embarrassment to the country as they demand for German government and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators face the full wrath of the lawfor assault which include a fine or 10 years imprisonment depending on the gravity of the assault.
While the south east governors have warned the leader of IPOB to desist from further attacks or face repatriation to Nigeria.
This newspaper condemns the attack on Sen. Ekweremmadu in its entirety. The attack was uncalled for. What they have succeeded in doing is to embarrass the zone and to show really that ‘Igbo enwegi eze’, and then who will coordinate the affairs of the people when there is no king?
Sen. Ekweremadu remains a leading figure among a few other Igbo senators who have constantly spoken against the unfortunate killings and kidnappings in the zone.
This newspaper make bold to say that if IPOB continues to press home their demand this way, it would greatly affect the unity of ndi-Igbo in general and their agitation for the realization of Biafra will be a wide chase.
The proscribed group should have a rethink on the way and manner they fight for the freedom of Biafra.
The recent display of shame by members of IPOB strengthens the case of those who described the group as terrorists, and also elongates the prison term of members who are still detained for the same course.
Therefore this newspaper suggests that the attackers should be immediately arrested and meant to face the law for assault and causing public nuisance.
Also, Ndi-Igbo should learn to contribute to the growth and development of their fatherland ratherthan pointing accusing fingers at the government for marginalisation.
Those in Germany should not only stay outside the shores of Nigeria accusing their leaders, they should come home and contribute to the society rather than developing another man’s land.
