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| Buratai |
When they launched the 'Operation Crocodile Smile', we wailed and questioned the rationale behind the operation. We argued that the operation was a fraud and will not solve any problem in the Niger Delta, rather it will compound it. Today, that operation alone has made the Niger Deltans more united in seeing the federal government as their common enemy. Has operation crocodile smile ended? Is there still oil bunkering in the Niger Delta (and oh yes, is the army still not complicit in the oil bunkering industry)? What about militancy? What did the operation crocodile smile achieve? How much was spent?
The Nigerian army has launched another operation in the South-East code named 'Operation Python Dance'. Another job for the army generals.
The federal govt needs to be proactive in using the military as an option in solving internal crisis. For me, the army is never an option. The unsolicited presence of the army in any Nigerian community gives the local people an impression against the Nigerian govt.
At this point, Biafrans need to be appeased, not confronted. Confronting them makes them louder, stronger, more popular and closer to getting their republic. This is actually common sense. The first mistake had already been made by arresting Nnamdi Kanu. The federal govt should not make further mistakes on the Biafran issue by using the military on their land. Operation Python Dance should be called off. Its unnecessary. We have several security forces to maintain internal security in the South East. And besides, the South-East has become one of the most peaceful zones in the country.
The federal govt needs to be very smart in dealing with the Igbos. The Igbos are not like the Niger Deltans or other Nigerians. They are extremely connected in international politics. They have a major stake in Roman Catholic and could also use that against the present federal govt on the world stage. They are also one of the biggest beneficiaries of our present unitary system and have got themselves in every strategic position and industry, locally and internationally. So if we decide to go tough on them in this century, the outcome will not be positive. We must therefore not continue to confront the Biafrans in the manner that we are currently going.
CNN has reported footages of army attack in Igbo land. We should not allow more of such videos to emerge.
The Biafran struggle is actually the most legitimate struggle in Nigeria of today. Right to self-determination is inalienable and natural. This is internationally recognized. So if Igbos say they want to leave Nigeria, we have no right to oppose them. They could actually end up destroying Nigeria if Nigeria continues to oppose them. Imagine that your wife says she is sick and tired of the marriage and says she wants to leave. And you say 'no, you cannot leave. This is till death do us part'. Well, death will indeed do one of you part because an angry woman can become the Devil. She would prefer to spend the rest of her life in jail as a murderer than remain with you in the marriage where she feels she has no freedom to pull out. This is only natural. Biafra is our wife here in Nigeria. We cannot force her to stay but we can look at the reasons why she wants to leave and see if they can be resolved. If not, then divorce becomes imminent. President Buhari and many Nigerians need to understand this simple point.
It looks like Buratai and the rest of the generals are no longer making so much money from the Boko Haram operation. If Buratai wants to buy another house in Dubai, he should try MMM. This idea of creating senseless military operations and internal enemies is becoming a threat to national security. Imagine that Buratai included 'maintenance of roads in the South East' as part of the budget for Operation Python Dance. Since when did the military begin to maintain roads in Nigeria? Nigerian army lacks discipline and is corrupt too, so provoking them into traps for international propaganda will be pretty easy. Biafrans are ready to die for their cause. They are already dying. I have seen this myself. The slogan 'Biafra or Death' is not a joke. The Nigerian army need to stay away from the struggle and allow the civilian politicians solve the problem they created by their actions. Operation Python Dance is unnecessary.
The Nigerian army created this unitary mess of a system, maybe it is them that will also destroy the system, albeit inadventently.
We can solve all of our problems without bringing in the military. We need to simply #RestructureNigeria and entrench #TrueFederalism. Allow the Biafrans have a 100% control over their development or underdevelopment (as they please) without having them to blame the central govt for marginalizing them. Same should apply to the Niger Deltans, Oduduwas, Arewas, Middle Belts, etc.
Federalism will solve many of our problems, if not all.
Until then, lets keep deceiving ourselves
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