CONFUSION IN THE CORRIDOR OF POWER

By Arinze Chukwu (Abia Writers)
Edited by Livingrich Ezeikpe
Since the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) demanded a date for a referendum there has been series of worries, conflicts and confusion among the leaders of Nigeria on how to tackle the issue. On Tuesday, the 18th of July 2017, a presidential aid said, "The demand for a referendum with regards to Biafra is a constitutional impossibility ". But before this, there has been series of debates online and on television like channels as well as on Nigerian Radio stations.

So many people suggested that referendum should be the best way at least to allow the people to decide. Others refuted it, saying it is against Nigerian Constitution to do so. Opponents of referendum suggested restructuring of Nigeria, not minding that, that same constitution did not also give room for the restructuring of Nigeria.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, during an interview, put it clearly when he said "someone should point to me where restructuring is in the Constitution. Are the people made to serve the Constitution or the Constitution made to serve the people?" "If Nigerians want to restructure without minding whether it is constitutional or not why should referendum not be discussed?" He demanded.
The slogan by the Nigerian government that "Biafra is dead and buried can never quench the agitation for the restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra. The presidential aid also said "Biafra ended on 15th January 1970, that he thinks Biafrans are expressing their right to freedom of Expression.

Every right thinking human being must understand that Biafra is an ideology. It doesn't matter when last you heard of it, it is a continuous process. As a matter of fact, at this stage of the struggle, Nigerian government needed to have come up with a meaningful program on how to conduct a peaceful referendum. That is the only way out. By the way, Biafra must be restored.