As one of the policy mechanisms, the tool of “downplaying” remains
unpopular but strong tactics that could weigh down an idea. It is a soft tool that does dangerously, what
hard mechanism couldn’t achieve. Within intelligent circles, the most dogged
fighter could be forced into stalemate through the downplaying of his
efforts. It is an ideological tool that
has used to clear many from their mainstream and strategic positioning into
background, thereby forcing them to go decommissioned. In most simplified explanation,
“downplaying “simply means “not minding one’s presence”, neglecting one’s
activities and presence.
This idea was ones suggested to Buhari to use against Nnamdi Kanu prior
to his long arrest and incarceration by Obasanjo (though not verify by me), but
as circumstances could have it, Buhari felt Nnamdi Kanu is too dangerous to be
handled with the tool of “downplaying”. Mind you, the choice of opposite tool
by Buhari might be birthed out of “sound national security result”. Whichever way,
time and present realities have proven that the strategy choice over Biafra and
Nnamdi is ragtag, weakly and comatose. Today, the entire nation is conscious of
the fact that a de facto government exists in Eastern Nigeria. This consciousness is deeply reflective in
the behaviours of the government of the day that one could see it in her
relationship with the region.
IPOB has vastly built a wide range institution and fronts that no one
would think to use the downplaying mechanism on her. No, she has gone across that realm! One might
wonder the reason why IPOB has gone above such realm? The answer is not farfetched! Thinking of
shutting down IPOB mouth can only be achieved in two ways vis a vis shutting
down social media platforms and killing the indigenous people of Biafra. Such movement with the highest social media
footprints can’t be downplayed by mere instructing Nigeria gutter newspapers to
avoid carrying Biafra news. No! Statistical figures have shown that 80% of
today news are sort via internet and social media. People don’t have time flipping pages of
pages of hard copies newspapers. In
their comfort zones via their gadgets, we brought to them, “the Biafran news”.
While the Nigeria dailies are limited in circulation, ours are unlimited as we
talk to billions of the global communities of our plights.
Sometimes it is laughable and unproductive for the Nigerian government
to contract e-rats to counter Biafrans on social media. Such move is limited as
they work based on the monetary inducements while ours for Biafra is passion
and patriotic based. We buy our internet
data for our freedom course, and they are bought data for their oppression
course. We don’t believe in downtooling
as we own our essence to the motherland Biafra, but if you delay the e-rats’
incentives, you have them offline until ‘Maga’ pays! While they few recruited
hungry guys, we are volunteers whose numbers are countless. While their location is definite, ours is
indefinite as we could be found in anywhere life exists, twitting. While the FG
recruited e-rats are Anglo-lingual, we are multilingual writers who can
communicate with any language spoken on the surface of the earth. So, we are
far ahead of the imaginations of our oppressors.
Nnamdi Kanu has set the pace and consolidated it. Even though he is held captive by the enemies,
they have understood that whether Nnamdi Kanu or not present, IPOB was built to
“keep on keeping on” as he warned us. Today, we are making headway in all
fronts towards the restoration of Biafra and no one could say we are
inconsequential or will be downplayed. Until Biafra comes, we sworn an oath to
do everything within our reach to secure our freedom from barbaric and cannibals’
elements. Even though one man is left standing, we will never capitulate! We are not naïve of the fact the fight is
tasking and demanding, but all we care and mind is that a day in restored
Biafra will heal the pains!
Written by:
Chika Austine
For: Imo State Media
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