By Ebuka Onyekwelu
Why this analysis matters is because, Governor Soludo appears to be trying to clean APGA up from any semblance of regional rebellion, and opposition against the one Nigeria project, which often is represented in the eyes of non-Igbos, by mere mention of Biafra or association with symbols of Biafra- people or insignia. But politicians in Southeast, especially in Anambra Stste, starting with Peter Obi, have always exploited the memories or symbols of Biafra for political ends. Peter Obi himself, at various occasions claimed that APGA is the only route for Igbo nation’s relevance in National Politics. Yet, when he was ready for National Politics, he dumped APGA and joined PDP. But before then, he enjoined votes given by those sympathetic to Biafra and its symbols which APGA embodied, with the image of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
APGA as it now appears, has moved on without Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Yet, the reality after years of propagating APGA as Igbo political identity by Peter Obi and Victor Umeh in particular, two of whom are now candidates of Labour Party, having left the Igbo party in furtherance of their personal ambitions. It would appear that Soludo is about to create a new APGA-Biafra-hero.
The declaration by Governor Soludo that Nnamdi Kanu should be released unconditionally or released to him (Soludo) at the APGA national campaign flag-off, raises serious concerns on the following grounds:
How did Nnamdi Kanu come into APGA campaign flag-off? If APGA is not trying to retain from the back-door, its known identity of being associated with Biafra, then, what is Kanu doing in APGA campaign? It is like APC somehow having to mention Sunday Igboho in the party’s flag-off, in Lagos. If this is not a concern, I should like to be challenged.
Is APGA under Soludo adopting Nnamdi Kanu, as its own Biafra hero, so that it can get ahead other political parties? Biafra has continued to receive endless emotional support, from the Southeast masses. Political players often take advantage of this, to gain support, among voting public. But when it is suitable for them, they dump the “Igbo party” and move on to other suitable parties to actualize their personal ambitions. Where is Prof. Soludo standing with this?
There is clear link between Nnamdi Kanu/ IPOB and insecurity in the Southeast, from Governor Soludo’s comments. If so, and other things being equal by his appeal, hundreds that have lost their lives, where will they get justice from?
Is there no other way to secure the Southeast? Is Southeast helpless?
Must Southeast and especially Anambra political elites play the Biafra card? If not, how else can they gain massive support and grassroots following?
So, at the end, if APGA has dropped Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and adopted Nnamdi Kanu, how does the party then intends to build national trust required for a national political consensus with APGA, considering Kanu’s mind-boggling rhetoric in full blast, on the waves of Radio Biafra?
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