Nnamdi Kanu, arrowhead of the Biafran revolt that is going on in Nigeria’s South East.
Can the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi describe the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, as a terrorist organisation?
This is the question some Nigerians are asking as certain politicians across the country allege Obi could be aligned to IPOB, a separist group that is pushing for the rebirth of a sovereign republic called Biafra.
IPOB which has been declared illegal is seen as a terrorist group by the Nigerian Government even though leaders of the movement insist that they are not.
The group which has its root in Nigeria’s South East is not the only body in the country that has been identified as terror organisation.
ISWAP, Boko Haram and the bandits, seen as pro-Islamic movements that are responsible for unrests in the North, have been tagged terrorist organizations.
Some northern politicians are already daring Obi to make a pronouncement publicly agreeing with the Nigerian government that IPOB is a terrorist group.
One of them, Adamu Garba, says Northern leaders have distanced thenselves from groups like Boko Haram.
He alleged Obi will not have the courage to follow the part of Northern leaders by publicly denouncing IPOB.
Peter Obi.. turning into the rave of the moment has its challenges.
“To disprove Miyetti Allah”, Garba remarked, “Peter Obi should go to Arewa House, organize a media conference & categorically call IPOB as terrorists that they are, like all senior political leaders from the North called Boko Haram and Bandits as terrorists.”
Why Obi would have to go to Arewa House to make such a declaration about IPOB remains a puzzle.
Some say the comment credited to Garba may indeed be consistent with what is seen in the South as the careless, arrogant, disrespectful and demeaning utterances of Northern leaders who are beginning to act as if they own the country and control the rest of us.
It may be an attempt, others say, for Obi who is aspiring to lead Nigeria to prove that he is not one of the sponsors of IPOB which is linked to unrest in the South-East.
Map of Nigeria
But in distancing himself from IPOB openly as some in the North would want him to, analysts posit Obi may end up shooting himslf in the foot.
Although most Igbos at home and in the diaspora may be uncomfortable over the activities of IPOB, there is still a feeling that IPOB is fighting what is perceived as Igbo marginalisation in Nigeria.
The United Nations is already asking the Nigerian authorities to free Nnamdi Kanu who is being held at a facility controlled by the DSS.
For students of history, the struggle for a Biafran state is not new.
Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was the first to lead a revolt which sought to carve out a Biafran state out of present day Nigeria.
Symbol of the Labour Party
President Muhammadu Buhari, fought on the side of the unification of Nigeria as a young soldier.
But the struggle collapsed after the fight to keep the country one championed by the Nigerian military prevailed.
Before Dim Ojukwu died, he said the first Biafran struggle was needful, but he said the second would be unnecessary.
Somehow, young Igbos who are behind the ongoing demand for Biafra are not listening.
It is doubtful that they would listen.