The agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra seems to be growing stronger. These agitations are championed by a group known as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and a sizable number of ethnic Igbo youths who go on the internet to share their opinions on their continued relationship with the rest of Nigeria. Their demands are simple; they want an independent state of Biafra mainly because they believe the rest of Nigeria is slowing down their development. Unfortunately, the independence of Biafra is based largely on factors outside the control of even the agitators.
1. They need to convince the rest of Nigeria to let them go
The conundrum is the Biafran’s wants the oil rich Niger-Delta to be a part of their country, while the rest of Nigeria cannot survive without oil revenue from the South. Without oil revenue, states like Osun and Kebbi State in the north will be unable to pay workers salaries and provide basic services like health and education. Convincing the rest of Nigeria to give up oil revenue will be quit a task.
2. Vague geographical location:
To have a country, you will need an exact geographical territory. As it stands, even the leaders of the movement do not have a definite territory in mind. Some have suggested that perhaps the oil rich Niger-Delta should be part of their country others want an alliance with the middle-belt minority Christians. The agitators just do not have a definite map in mind.
3. The rich and famous Igbo’s don’t support Biafra:
The reason is simple; the probability of success is very slim. In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial center, there are a lot of successful Igbo traders who wouldn’t want to find out what will happen to their businesses when they are no longer Nigerians.
4. The call for Biafra is not exactly honorable:
The current agitation led by Nnamdi Kanu started shortly after the 2015 general election in which majority of Igbo’s supported the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. Before the election, Nnamdi Kanu was virtually non-existent and it could be argued that it was Goodluck Jonathan’s loss at the polls that led to the current agitation. Where is the honor in that?
5. They have no international support:
On the continent, no African country will be bold enough to meddle in Nigeria’s internal politics. France and The UK have already declared they won’t be supporting the actualization of Biafra; the Americans are traditional allies and supporters of one Nigeria. These leave them with only Russia and China as possible supporters; not unlikely, but not enough.
6. Biafra will be same old wine in a new bottle:
Over 521 languages are spoken in present day Nigeria by about 300 ethnic groups. Biafra if created will still be as diverse as Nigeria with the same corrupt politicians and similar social problems. What will be worse is a lot of ethnic groups won’t want to be minorities to the Igbo’s.
7. There is no actual oppression or marginalization of the Igbos:
Before his arrest and eventual detention by the Nigerian State, Nnamdi Kanu on his Radio Biafra would go on and on about how the Igbos are being politically marginalized and oppressed, and how they would thrive in an independent Biafra. Reality check is a lot of the Igbo traders in Lagos would disagree with that assertion. Politically: the current Deputy Senate President of Nigeria is of Igbo ethnic extraction, the current Minister of Petroleum is Igbo. Within the last 17 years the Igbos have produce a Senate President, several Ambassadors and top government officials; the Igbos are simply a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s politics.
Those agitating for an independent state of Biafra have started on a path, but they still have great a many miles to go.
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