Of Nigeria and Biafra: A game of wits and wisdom

So far from all the reports that I have gathered the sit at home instruction by the Independent People of Biafra has been successful.  From Umuahia, the Abia State state capital to Onitsha the economic hub of Anambra state and by extension the South East commercial activities have been grounded.

News stations have been reporting it while pictures from Aba the commercial nerve Centre of Abia state and Port Harcourt confirm that many Nigerians obeyed the sit at home order. 

The success of this action is three fold.  While many feel that the marginalisation of the zone by the FG in both federal appointments and infrastructure played a key role, others feel that the rising profile of leader of IPOB Nnamdi Kanu(who was incarcerated for over 500 days) helped push this agenda forward.  But a third school of thought belief that the systematic exclusion of ndigbo from the political sphere in Nigeria plus the killings of unarmed  civilians in states in the south east zone played a major part. 

However, I will not belabor any of these issues.  Rather I will take another route.  The route of truth as a always.  Lonely though.

While it is sacrosanct that the zone has been sidelined  systematically in federal appointments and excluded in strategic infrastructural projects,  the bulk of developing the zone lies squarely on the shoulders and desks of the five governors who have either by omission or commission impeded and sabotaged the development of the zone. 

While many states still talk of payment of salaries,  a recent report listed in very clear terms that many states are financially insolvent.  Many can't generate revenue within the state enough to run the state.  But these governors have functional brains. They eat three square meals daily or even more.  They even earn more than many in their payroll yet they won't pay pensions. They are quick to push for executive bills that will line their pockets and that if cronies yet sidelining that which will affect us the 'common man'. How many states have domesticated the Freedom of Information Act,  the Child Rights Act or even done anything in the line of ensuring that 35% women are appointed or elected in their governments?  Some even cook up phony ways of siphoning legitimate wealth belonging to the people. Others start up white elephant projects and open up deep holes to siphon our tax money. 

If successive governors in the south east, had in good conscience done their bit,  the zone will not be as under developed as it is now.  Have we forgotten the funds from Paris club and the fact that it was even in the news that many state governors did not pay salaries with it , neither did they embark on any developmental project commensurate to the money allocated to them?

The case of successive governors in the south east is the case of a spoilt child who rather than husband money given to him by his parents will spend it lavishly and go back to his parents cap in hand begging for more money.  I call it the feeding bottle approach and the slave mentality that has kept the zone and the country this backward. 

While those agitating for an independent state of Biafra will argue that underdevelopment is not part of the causes of their agitations, the right questions need to be asked.  If the governors had done their bit in road construction,  ensuring ease of doing business in their state is assured and provision of other social amenities that will accelerate development will the agitation be as loud as it is today?

My classmate and worthy friend  Dikeh Obasi argued that in fact all those agitating for Biafra should first shut down  the states in a bid to question the governors lack of transparency Accountability and probity. 
It is common knowledge that most governors are emperors and super rich in office and out of office in sharp contrast to their economic status prior to assuming power. The list of hotels,  lands, filling stations and mansions they acquire is public knowledge, no thanks to  inefficient EFCC.

As we sit at home to dodge bullets and remember our slain brothers let us put our thoughts and actions into right perspective. While true federalism remains the best and workable solution for us as a nation,  our governors who have made the local governments not functional should take the blame and the heat of some of these protests.  Let our angst be against those who reduce us to lesser mortals; who can't afford three square meals or even to pay school fees or rent.  Now in many states you hear "A kwuo ugwo,  a kwuo ugwo" referring to a euphemism that means when one receives his or her salary is when he or she will pay the debt he or she owes. 

Until we start piling up pressure on them and shutting  down states the mindless looting will continue and the Biafran rhetoric will continue without commensurate success I dare say. 

#Addendum
This goes out to all the children who died of starvation and malnutrition in the course of the three year war.  #WeRememberyou

#SunnyBlac