BIAFRA: FAILURE TO DEMAND NNAMDI KANU’S RELEASE BACKFIRES ON EDWIN CLARK; INTENSIFIES PIPELINE BOMBING

By Ifeanyi Chijioke
November 18, 2016

It is important to deal extensively with this issue because there are facts silently lying on the bedrock. We must admit that with Nnamdi Kanu; those days a select people walk to the leadership and do or say anything they want in the name of the people are gone. It is also clear that while you feel you have your way up there; the people can force or make a way for their trusted representatives as well. In a space of one month; two different groups of elders have met Nigerian government to pass the message of the aggrieved Youths that have been bombing pipelines to push for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and restructure of Nigeria.

It is vital to study what led to the current oil vandalism; when Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and incarcerated, the people of Niger Delta part of Biafra felt their own has been unlawfully treated. Nnamdi Kanu had fought vigorously to unite the people of Biafra long divided by Nigerian government and by virtue of Jonathan’s election and subsequent Radio broadcast by Kanu; the people were gradually united and now speak with one voice. Jonathan’s election proved there is no more Southeast and Southsouth but one indivisible people.

Edwin Cark failed to understand this; he thought it was business as usual; MEND did such business and it benefited them immensely but with this crop; it is freedom fighting and not about amnesty; oil blocs and all that Clark listed as demands. Everything he listed was against the belief of the freedom fighters who strive day and night to save the people of Biafra from the clutches of slavery in the contraption called Nigeria. King Afred Diete-Spiff was only forced by the militants (Freedom fighters) to go back to the Government as Clark has failed and demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu and restructure of Nigeria which are the major reasons for the militancy.

This current militancy started after the Federal Government declined warning from militants to release Nnamdi Kanu. Nnamdi Kanu is the reason behind the bombings and would definitely bring an end to the bombing only if released and allowed to go about his peaceful agitation that is within the confines of law. We must admit firstly that Nnamdi Kanu has control over the militants because he is the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra; and the militants are Biafrans who are on course to set the people free. Edwin Clark’s failure to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu which is the major and only demand that can bring peace led to his sacking.

According to the source who spoke to this reporter; he explained that Clark’s sacking was overdue because retaining him will spell doom for the people. “He has always been Government’s apologist”. The source further explained that Clark was accused of making demands that favored the Government and not conveying the true demands of the people “The boys don’t want amnesty; they want freedom for Nnamdi Kanu and restructure of Nigeria which will bring lasting peace. The militants simply want the release of their brother Nnamdi Kanu and restructure of Nigeria even though their initial demand for a sovereign State of Biafra cannot be granted” the source said.

Among the two groups of elders that went to convey a message; the question is who passed the true message? Niger Delta Avengers had declared a cease fire to enable the Government address their grievances; knowing that they cannot go to the Government; group of elders were given the green light to go. The first batch that went to the Government was the group of elders led by Edwin Clark. They successfully met the President but after their press statement or demand was made public; not less than 24hours; flame started going up again; pipelines are under destruction. It passed a clear message that Edwin Clark betrayed the people by not stating the demands of the people to stop pipeline vandalism.

The group under the umbrella of PANDEF was amazed to learn that few days after their meeting and presentation of demand; another group led by a co-Chairman King Afred Diete-Spiff sprang. The group which convened under NDPC went back to the government to clearly demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu. It was learnt that the second group broke the ranks to enable a real peace; because with the release of Nnamdi Kanu; it was assured that bombing will end.

Edwin Clark must be licking his wounds; this is a clear sign that he is losing his position in that part of Biafra. He had led PANDEF to the Government only to demand oil blocs and other incentives; a move that was considered immoral by the rampaging freedom fights popularly known as militants. he has shown that he is solely after money and taking advantage of the instability in that part of Biafra to enrich his pocket or find favor by brokering amnesty.

As a known Government apologist; he was given a chance to prove that the interest of his people can be placed above the interest of politicians but that chance was a waste as he woefully failed. King Afred Diete-Spiff of NDPC is most likely to be entrusted the affairs of the freedom fighter with the Government. NDPC is widely considered the right group to see to the real demands of the people because they are not Government apologists who would insincerely deal with them.

Until Nnmadi Kanu is released; pipeline destruction will continue, it started because of his arrest and continued detention and no amnesty can solve the puzzle. Edwin Clark is angling for amnesty just as they did with MEND but this era is no longer the era of MEND. This era is era of pride; ingenuity and determination; the people of Biafra driven by Nnamdi Kanu from every walk of life are ready to be free and this eluded Edwin Clark who went to Abuja angling for amnesty that will enrich his pocket and that of others while the land remains under slavery.