Five Reasons Why The Planned Biafra Protest In Lagos Ia A Bad Idea

If the statement released by Radio Biafra through its social media page is to be believed, then Biafra protest is set to hit Lagos. The agitation for an independent Biafra state escalated after the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra and the leader of the Independent People Of Biafra (IPOB). His continued detention has seen a rise in agitation by some Igbo people who want his unconditional release and a break away from Nigeria. Some of these protests have taken place in the southeaster part of the country while a few have been staged in Abuja. The latest of the protest took place in Onitsha were the agitators took over the Niger Bridge thereby movement of vehicles impossible. The protest eventually resulted in a face-off between security operatives and protesters. Two police officers and some protesters lost their lives in the incident.

It is apparent that the agitation for the release of Kanu has taken the protest to a new height and the possibility of moving the protest to Lagos is very imminent. While this might be done by the protesters to make a strong message, it is actually a very bad idea and has the possibility of having a negative consequence.

Here are 5 reasons why the Biafra protests should not occur in Lagos.

Lagos Is Not The Capital Of Nigeria

Lagos was the capital of Nigeria until 1991 when it was moved to Abuja which is a more central location. Since then however, the state has continued to wax stronger as the undisputed economic capital of the country. The political structure of Nigeria puts Abuja in a more important position and should therefore be the location for national issues. The agitation for an independent state championed by some Igbos under the aegis of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State Of Biafra (MASSOB) and IPOB has no political structure in Lagos to channel their grievances to. Rather, Abuja, being the seat of power and the political engine of the country is more suited for a protest aimed at achieving an independent state.

Nnamdi Kanu Is Not Held In Lagos

Since the arrest of Kanu by operatives of the Department of State Service in mid-October, he has been in their custody in Abuja. Although he was granted bail, his inability to meet the terms of the bail is said to be the reason why he is in custody. The fact that he is held in Abuja and is being there is the reason why the protests should be carried out there and not in Lagos. The agitation for the unconditional release of Kanu by the protesters is a statement that would not achieve its desirable effect if the protest is carried out in Lagos.

Position Of Igbos In Lagos

It’s difficult to clearly define what the Igbos in who hold political positions, do business and reside in Lagos thing about Biafra. While they may share the same sentiment as the protesters, participating actively in it at the expense of their business and livelihood is a big risk some of them might not want to take. Some Igbos have lived in Lagos for so long, raised their families in the city and see it as their home. Igbos, known for their enterprising nature have started and expanded their business in Lagos for years and might not want to risk jeopardising it by engaging in a Biafra protest in Lagos. The welcoming and conducive nature of Lagos has made it a place for all Nigerians and even some Igbos get appointed and elected into political positions in the city. Some of them also inter marry with other tribes in Lagos and cohabit peacefully. It is fair to conclude that the participation of Igbos in Lagos in a Biafra protest would be minimal which will make the protest insignificant.

Tension

The Biafra protest that took place in Onitsha, Anambra state resulted in violence and loss of lives as pro-Biafra agitators and security operatives clashed. The unfortunate incident though tragic was predictable giving the rising tension between protesters and security operatives saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in the country.

A repeat of the same protest in Lagos which Radio Biafra has promised would be massive might result in serious violence and perhaps turn into a riot divided by ethnic lines. A riotous protest capable of stagnating traffic and crawling activities is capable of resulting in confrontation and negative reaction from Lagosians. The after effect can threaten the inter-ethnic relationship Igbo people in Lagos have with Lagosians from other ethnicity

Lagos Is Not A Biafra State

The essence of the protest is to achieve an independent nation separate from Nigeria. To carry out such a protest far away from the expected independent territory is unreasonable and baseless. Lagos is home to all Nigerians but this notion should not be misguided to be considered an extension of the south eastern part of the country where the Pro-Biafrans want as an independent territory. The cliché that Lagos is a no man’s land doesn’t make it a region that can be ‘hijacked’ and claimed. While the protesters might see a protest in Lagos as a way to bolster their agitation, the consequence might be disastrous.

What do you think about a Biafra protest in Lagos? You can cast your vote below

The post Five Reasons Why The Planned Biafra Protest In Lagos Ia A Bad Idea appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.