EL-ZAKZAKY AND ARMY CLASH, WAR OF ISLAMIC SECTS IN NIGERIA?

Icheoku says gradually but surely, the war of the worlds between Sunni and Shites Islamic sects have finally touched down and anchored in Nigeria. From now on, it is going to be Saudi Arabia/Turkey pitched against Iran, as they battle for consolidation of their hold on Northern Nigeria Islamic community. With the clash between Shiites and the Nigeria military, resulting in a bloody ordeal with Shiites Sheikh Ibraheem El-ZakZaky almost killed, the situation if not managed well could spill out of control. 

First it was the Sunni Islamists Boko Haram backed by the Wahabist Saudi Arabia and now the Shiites Islamists with Iranian backing are now ready to join the confrontation with the authorities in Nigeria. The only good news is that the president of Nigeria, President Dr Muhammadu Buhari is himself a Sunni, the reason he was initially defending Boko Haram and would readily crush the Shiites, a rival sect to his Sunni sect. Icheoku calls for other religions as well as secular Nigerians to remain on eternal vigilance and plan contingencies on defending themselves as this two foes are now set on a course to ravage Northern Nigeria the same way they have laid waste the Middle East with Syria and Iraq being their current theater. 

What a world we live in where adherents of the same Islamic religion cannot seem to agree on whose mode of worship or brand of their religion is the ideal one, leading to the massive carnage ongoing in the Middle East as well as other parts of the world where they have stepped into. Icheoku says Iran and Saudi Arabia are set for a brutal confrontation with each other in their competition for the hearts and minds of followers of their brand of Islam in Nigeria. A proxy war, using Boko Haram and Shites, is certainly afoot and your guess is as good as Icheoku's that it will be very destabilizing indeed

May be this will be yet another ground for the demand for an independent secular Biafra State, where all these religious manipulations will not be tolerated nor accepted. Icheoku however says that the Nigeria government of President Buhari can ill-afford another front on its war against Islamic terrorists, with the already Boko Haram raging inferno in Northeastern Nigeria.  Icheoku warns that adding yet another merchants of death in the name of Shiites Islamist warriors, opening another front in the middle of the North, in Kaduna, is rather too risky a proposition for Buhari's government to fathom nor handle. Therefore whatever be the cost or sacrifice, the government must firmly sit on the situation in order not to let it slip out of control.

WIKE'S HONOR OF GOWON, MISGUIDED AND IMBECILIC.

Icheoku says the recent honoring of the genocidal Yakubu Jackal Gowon by Rivers States Governor Nyesom Wike, whereby he renamed a street and a stadium after Gowon, is most regrettable. It is a very pathetic move, made by an unthinking buffoon, who is either very ignorant of history or did not give a damn nor care enough to understand the ramifications of his action. How could any sane man honor a man who caused so much pain and sorrow to a people, whose roots and names, Governor Wike shares; admitted that he removed the "N" in his last name and instead of "Nwike", settled for "Wike"? Icheoku asks how could a man, who is supposedly acquiesced of the dark place reserved for Yakubu Gowon among the people formerly of Biafra, consider honoring such a vampire who drove utmost joy in watching millions of Biafran women and children starved to death? 

How could any God-fearing man honor Yakubu Gowon after the depravity that was his twenty pounds payment to returning Biafrans despite whatever they previously had in their bank accounts? How could any man who does not think through his anus, ever consider honoring a bloodhound like Yakubu Gowon who declared no victor and no vanquished, yet treated returning Biafrans in this manner? The same wild dog bandied the sloganeering three Rs of reconciliation,  rehabilitation and reconstruction; but went on to implement his reconstruction in Lagos, which did not witness the war pillaging; instead of the theatre of the war that was the Southeast? This is the man Nyesom Wike honored and Icheoku asks for what or is Wike telling all those hurt by Gowon to go fuck themselves?

Icheoku decries this as indeed regrettable that the fat thuggish man in Rivers State's government house PortHarcourt did not think through his action, otherwise he would have seized himself of its lack of merit. Icheoku queries, where else in Nigeria has that name Yakubu Gowon been associated with anything joyful or worth celebrating? What is there to celebrate of such an animal, who after causing all those deaths in Biafra, went ahead to plan a coup that killed Muritala Mohammed? A Gowon,  who but for President Shehu Shagari's amnesty would still have remained a persona non grata in Nigeria, exiled in the United Kingdom. But no, Nyesom Wike wants some cheap publicity and he renamed old Aba Road as well as former Liberation Stadium after this hyena. 

Icheoku hereby categorically condemn the action of Governor Nyesom Wike as very insensitive and not carefully thought through. How does Wike reconcile his action to the over three million Biafran lives took by Yakubu Gowon? So what if Gowon created Rivers States which was not out of his love for the people of Ikwerre but done in his failed attempt to box in and completely emasculate Ndigbo and cut them completely off from the Atlantic Ocean, as a land locked entity. But Gowon forgot that Biafra was not just only an Igbo effort as Philip Effiong was not Igbo, neither were other minorities of the then Eastern region who participated in the Biafran effort of self determination. Hopefully a more thinking governor would some day emerge in Rivers State to redress this slap on the face and erase this Berom jackal's name from the two landmarks. Governor Nyesom Wike, Icheoku says, you are a disgrace and disappointment to Biafra and you should be ashamed of your deplorable action. 

TRUMP YOU'RE HIRED!

 

Icheoku says on today's CNN Republican Presidential Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, no grounds were lost by the Donald. Donald Trump will deliver the goods and Donald is not beholden to anyone interest or lobbyist group. Donald is a straight talker. Donald is bold and brash and Donald has a can-do attitude and Donald will make America great again. Icheoku says go Trump; go Donald and together lets make America great again!

DINO MELAYE, A HYPOCRITICAL LOUSE.

Icheoku recently watched the rants of Dino Melaye of Kogi State wherein he rambled and riled against Sahara Reporters for what he termed a clandestine campaign of calumny  against his person? According to this megalomaniac, if the 'excesses' of social media is not checked in Nigeria, it is capable of destroying everybody including Nigeria's democracy. Continuing, he said that he and his colleagues in the National Assembly will write the United States of America government to help them censure Sahara Reporters as well as other anti-Nigeria social media outfits operating in the United States. He also beat his chest that his chamber is sacred and hallowed and as distinguished members, they will not tolerate the rapid fire invasion that is social media in Nigeria. 

Icheoku says this man exhibited his emptiness and total lack of understanding of how the world of social media works? He is talking about regulating social media and he is talking about writing American government to censure them? This buttresses former APC Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed call, asking Dino Melaye to go back to school and take some lessons on basic civics, the art and manner of public speaking as well as that in public decorum. First, Dino Melaye called his assemblage of thieves and bandits, sacred and hallowed; and one wonders what is so distinguished about these bunch, whom Deputy Senate Leader Ike Ekweremadu once said majority of them cannot even read and write and are only interested in their paychecks and other perks of office, including constituency allowances? 

Icheoku is at a lost on what is so special about a congregation, whose current leader or president, is an indicted criminal suspect, who is facing trial for criminal corruption and embezzlement of pubic funds. This their so called president, Bukola Saraki, was recently docked, accused of high corruption and stealing; yet he is leading Dino Melaye and his co-travelers of Nigeria's very important men and women of a so called hallowed chamber?  Just few days ago, the same leader of Dino Melaye and his ramblers, was involved in an alleged armed robbery of over three hundred million Naira from some Bureau du Change money launderers. This is the type of chamber Dino Melaye wants social media operators to quake and tremble at their mention? 

A law breaker who opened and operates/operated foreign bank accounts in contravention of laws governing Nigeria public officials and he is supposedly a member of laws enacting National Assembly? A domestic violent person who abuses his wife and who should be in jail if he lived in a more civilized society instead of the zoo called Nigeria? An ignoramus who does not know that social media and other online based outfits do not require or need registration of any kind to remain operational; and that the Nigeria Cooperate Affairs Commission has no  oversight authority over such a media outfit based in New York which gets to Nigeria through the airwaves. But it is Nigeria and people like this animal is in power and running his dirty mouth in this manner. 

Olusegun Obasanjo once called Dino Melaye chambers an assemblage of thieves and vagabonds? A retired police IGP who is or was a member of the National Assembly, once threatened to name his so called "honorable" colleagues whom he had previously arrested and indicted for criminal 419 and other fraudulent practices while still in service? Yet these are the collection of men and women Dino Melaye calls sacred and hallowed? Dino Melaye is now being called out to account for his own dishonorable misdeeds and he remembered that Sahara Reporters and other social media are doing hired job for some goons, whose retainership they are on? Dino Melaye actually used the word "clandestine" in describing the activities of social media in Nigeria and one wonders whether it is the soundbite of the meaning fog that works that attracted and influenced Dino Melaye's choice? 

Icheoku queries at what point did Dino Melaye have this sudden epiphany that possibly, Sahara Reporters might be a hired hand? Of course not during the time when the same Dino Melaye was wining and dining Omore Sowore, the proprietor of Sahara Reporters, and using his web-based media to hound then Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah? So query, if according to Dino Melaye, Sahara Reporters is now a mercenary social media, why was it any different and not the same during the Stella Oduah debacle? Was it a case of what was good for Stella Oduah not any longer being good for Dino Melaye; or are some Nigerians more important and should be treated as untouchables, while some other Nigerians are mince meat? 

When Princess Stella Oduah was being pummeled for whatever dealings that took place in her Aviation Ministry, relating to some over-inflated car purchase, this thug, Dino Melaye, was the linchpin. He was running around with Sahara Reporters, adorning his anti-corruption garb, haranguing and harassing the Aviation Ministry lady without first waiting for a court of competent jurisdiction to determine her guilt and pronounce her guilty accordingly. Ditto was his protestations over the alleged Sanusi Lamido Sanusi's missing $20 billion dollars oil money?  He did not spare anyone his presence in Boko Haram, Chibok Girls as well as in so many other issues of the day and cause which this self appointed crusading patriot selectively chose to impose himself as its arrow-head. 

Icheoku says Dino Melaye is a true exhibition and exemplary of the saying that those who wield the machete do not allow any machete near their back. In the jaundiced eyes of this man, Sahara Reporters were a God-sent social media during Stellar Oduah's persecution; but now they have morphed into agents of Lucifer from the pits of hell simply because they unearthed some of Dino Melaye illegal dealings and escapades? Now Dino Melaye is moving mountains and valleys, threatening long prison sentences, just to demonstrate that his feathers were rumpled and no one dares? He wants his pound of flesh, cashing in on the ever forgetfulness of the gullible Nigerian society that they would not remember his days of cavorting with and carrying waters for Sahara Reporters; including a lobby-SR visit with Sowore Omore which he made to New York and bragged about it. 

Icheoku says who respects a collection of questionable characters masquerading as the Nigerian senate, which is led by an indicted corrupt man? Which Nigerian, except those begging for crumbs from their table to feed their hungry dependents, who defers to such an assemblage of the society' dregs in character and resume? A motley of persons who would not disclose how much they are pilfering from the Nigerian society by shrouding their pay and perks in utmost secrecy? Icheoku says who cares how pained Dino Melaye feels about what Sahara Reporters and other social media has to say and write about him, when the same supposed anti-corruption crusader did not find it germane to protest his indicted corrupt Senate President Bukola Saraki? 

Protesting alleged corruption by Dino Melaye was germane during the lynching of Stella Oduah but now, the same he-goat marches in solidarity with the corrupt Bukola Saraki, dutifully accompanying him to his corruption trials at the Code of Conduct Bureau? Icheoku says Stella Oduah was merely accused but was never indicted; Bukola Saraki was indicted and marshaled into the dock and took a plea like a common criminal, but this questionable character Dino Melaye still puts up appearance at Saraki's side and you wonder how cultured is this man Dino Melaye? Icheoku says what is sacred and solemn about a congregation of thugs, who maimed and killed and bribed their way to secure their positions and who have nothing to show to Nigerians in justification of their relevance and need for a continued existence? If Icheoku has his way, will enforce Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu's suggestion and phase out the Nigerian senate of lousy persons as represented by Dino Melaye. 

What a bum who exhibited his crass ignorance by saying that his assembly will write American government to censure a media outlet when he should have known that the media enjoys optimum freedom in America and is not shackled nor amenable to America's government intrusion, dictates, control or censorship. If he felt violated by what was written about him, does he not know that his redress lies with the court in an action for defamation? But no, he want to go through the back door and bamboozle his colleagues into passing into law a retrogressive legislation meant to muzzle social media. Anyway, he can try but an assured defeat awaits him; but in any event, social media does not need their useless licensing to stay operational. Unlike their local newspapers which need their advertisements and commercials to stay afloat, the overhead involved in running online media is not too substantial that other wide-world advertisers cannot foot the bill. 

Icheoku concludes by stating that in a more civilized society, this always brawling tout Dino Melaye, can only qualify for a prison warden or a county dog catcher  position, but definitely not a senator of a country. He lacks the mien and decorum and demeanor and mannerism necessary for a senator. That this man is a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria adds credence to the school of thought which dismissively wave off that chamber as a motley crew.   But regrettably only those who can maim and kill get into offices in Nigeria and that is the cross heavily weighing down on Nigeria's shoulders, and which have stunted its growth since the past fifty five years of its independent existence. Anyway, channeling Dick Cheney's dart to Patrick Leheay, on the issue of the threatened war against social media in Nigeria, Icheoku says to Dino Melaye, to go fuck himself.

GUANTANAMO PRISON IS HARRY POTTER'S AZKABAN - SHAKER AAMER.

"They've got an island in Harry Potter, it says Azkaban. Where there's no happiness, they just suck all your feelings out of you. And, you don't have no feelings any more. And truly that's how I felt all the time. This is Azkaban. This is not from this world, because that's what they tried." - Released Guantanamo Bay prisoner Shaker Aamer on his prison experience. 

Icheoku says and he seems not to be too mad by his experience?

BIAFRA, DEFUNCT?

Icheoku says it depends; if Biafra is analogous and synonymous with Ojukwu, its alter ego, then Biafra for all intent and purpose, equally rests in peace like its protagonist in chief, the Ikemba Nnewi. As for Ojukwu, he never left anyone in doubt as to his wishes that Ndigbo have fully reintegrated back into Nigeria. As far as Ojukwu was concerned, Biafra did in fact come to an end and he severally manifested this intention and desire in so many ways. 

First, he accepted a full unconditional pardon from a Nigeria President Shehu Shagari and returned to Nigeria from his exile in the Ivory Coast. Second, he joined a national party, the NPN, and contested for a senate seat under its platform as a prospective senator of Nigerian. He had a choice of joining the NPP which to a greater extent was a regional Igbo (Biafran) party, but he chose not to. Third, he vowed to go to war again; but only to ensure Nigeria's unity and would fight anyone and any cause that would jeopardize the country's existence as one indivisible entity. Fourth, in every interview and press releases he gave ever since his return from exile, he did not leave anyone in doubt where he stands on the question of Nigeria's unity. 

Ojukwu severally reiterated his position that there will be no more secession by Biafra and that Ndigbo are back to Nigeria for good and for the long haul. Lastly, he accepted and received his full pension and  accrued benefits from Nigeria government as a retired Colonel of the Nigeria army. And then when he passed away, he was buried with full military honors by Nigeria government and his burial was attended by notable Nigerians, including the late Emir of Kano Ado Bayero, who came to bid a fellow Nigerian farewell. Therefore it is safe to vouchsafe that Ojukwu died a Nigerian and would not be holding a brief for these modern day Biafranists who now want to secede. 

Conversely, if Ojukwu is not Biafra and Biafra is not Ojukwu; and it is agreed that the two were separate entities; and that Biafra as an idea is bigger and greater than any one single individual including Ojukwu; and that Ojukwu is but the then arrowhead of the struggle for freedom that is Biafra, then Biafra survived Ojukwu and is still very much alive and well in the hearts and minds of those it represents something very dear and uplifting. So it goes without saying that the current restiveness among the polity that constitute Biafra is well founded because they have a standing to aspire to a dream Biafran-land; and therefore their agitation should be treated with all its deserved seriousness by the authorities in Nigeria in order to avoid a complete nuclear meltdown of Nigeria. 

Biafra is an idea which time came a very long time ago; but is only being hounded and suppressed by forces that are too afraid to let it come alive and thrive. It is a symbol of a cause, founded to protect against crass and imprudent discrimination, marginalization and suppression of a people. It is an effort against oppression, genocide, pogrom and a defense of a peoples' right to life and pursuit of happiness. It is a call of duty to fight for survival of a people threatened with complete annihilation. But unfortunately, the lessons of the last civil war appear lost on Nigeria, as many of the unjust things that led to that war still subsist till today. 

They have become rather more perversive and their perpetrators more emboldened and audacious. The discrimination of the same people and the treating them as if they are second class and not bona fides of the Nigeria society has only metastasized leading to the current uprising by boys and girls who were not even born during the last war and whose fathers and mothers were hardly old enough to have fought in the previous war. It shows that Biafra lives on, did not die with the last war nor was it buried alongside with Ojukwu, regardless of what his intentions were on Biafrans' reintegration back into Nigeria.

Biafra, as an idea conceived out of the urgency of the then now to provide  a bulwark against a state's supported genocide and threatened annihilation of a people, survived; and has been transmitted down to the present generation as well as in store for those generations still unborn. Like the Jewish nation, which pulls all strings every time to avoid a repeat or a relive of the holocaust, successive people who constitute Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, see themselves as always in a permanent state of perpetual alert, in order to prevent being overrun again by other Nigerians who do not wish them well. It is not that the people of Biafra do not want to share a space with other Nigerians as fellow Nigerians, no, they simply feel not wanted nor welcomed in Nigeria by other Nigerians, who always feel threatened that the people of Biafra are there to take everything and overshadow them.

Icheoku says this is the fuel driving Biafra, especially the current agitation by courageous Biafrans who were either not born or were too young to actually participate or appreciate the magnitude of the disaster that was the previous confrontation with the Federal Government of Nigeria. So the government of Nigeria as well as other Nigerians must address the issue fueling this agitation rather than condemning those agitators as disgruntled miscreants who are not relevant and are up to no good and do not mean well for Nigeria. Icheoku says that a government of Nigeria and other Nigerian nationalities, who want an all inclusive Nigeria, must address the inequities and blatant marginalization and discrimination that is so pervasive in Nigeria. It is akin to the American experience where racist white people are eager to brand black men as angry but do not care to find out what is it that is at the root of this anger in black males of America. 

Icheoku says it is not the composition of Nigeria as it is that is the problem. Nope, the problem is the skewed politics of "we and them" that has continually seen the people of Biafra left holding the plate in the affairs and matters of Nigeria. There is stength in number and majority of Nigerians including the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, would prefer a united one Nigeria as opposed to a balkanized one. These people would like to see a more united and unified Nigeria, where every citizen feels a sense of belonging and equally having a skin in the game of building the country and equally benefiting from the country. But it is not so; instead some people feel entitled to everything while some others feel left outside the door, begging for what should be theirs as of right. This is the problem and the underlying reason fueling all these agitations throughout Nigeria. No people or even a person likes to be blatantly treated as a stranger in his own father's house or country as in the case of the people of Biafra in Nigeria.

For example, if those Golden Eaglets who played and won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Championship Chile 2015 as Nigerians, could find jobs in any part of Nigeria as Nigerians; could live in any part of Nigeria unfettered as Nigerians; could aspire to any office in the land including the presidency of Nigeria as Nigerians; could marry anyone and raise their children in any part of Nigeria as Nigerians; could live in any part of Nigeria as Nigerians without being treated as none indigenes; could have their children attend schools in any part of Nigeria they call abode without discriminatory fees and charges; then bring on one united Nigeria and every Biafran would stand for it. Biafrans are for one indivisible, truly united Nigeria; but not one where unity is stressed when convenient for some and put aside when it is not. 

Continuing with the Golden Eaglets analogy, but where any member of the winning team say from Edo State comes back and cannot go to Sokoto to get a job except as a mere contract staff without benefits; cannot live freely in any part of Nigeria if he is Igbo, without fear of deportation as an unwanted nuisance in Lagos or having his head randomly chopped off if in Northern parts of the country for simply being Igbo; cannot have a bridge linking to his geographical region built because it is an existing Nigeria state policy to deny and deprive his region of infrastructural developments; cannot aspire to the highest office in the land, the presidency,  including holding certain portfolios, then these perpetrators and deniers of equity in Nigeria must have another thing coming and should roll their sleeves to deal with what is down the pike with the newly reignited Biafra agitation. 

Icheoku says there is nothing unusual about devolution of unions which can no longer meaningfully co-exist as one. With married couple, it is called divorce; which allows spouses who cannot continue to tolerate each other in the same living space to go their respective ways. Such also applies to geographical entities and the world is filled with entities that have splintered over the many years because they could no longer live peacefully together as one, with South Sudan being the latest. 

If Nigeria goes the same way and Biafra becomes an independent entity, so be it as it will not be the first nor the last such came into being. However, Icheoku continues to advocate for a stronger, more unified and united Nigeria; but one in which every one feels equal and where there is no born to rule mentality people lording it over their assumed  lesser mortals. Icheoku maintains that no one is superior to another in Nigeria and therefore it is insulting for some people to always insist it is going to be their way or the whole country goes to hell in hand's basket.

Scotland had a referendum for statehood; Basque separatists did too; so why can't the authorities in Nigeria or even the United Nations push for a referendum in Nigeria to conclusively determine what is actually in the best interest of Nigeria, a united or a balkanized Nigeria. Must they wait until the agitation boils over and there is a conundrum before they do the needful? Icheoku however cautions that an independent Biafra might not be what is needed at this time as a more functioning united Nigeria is the key. Experience shows that as long as humans live together, fault lines will always emerge, no matter the devolution of political entities. 

Modakeke and Ife are still not the best of friends in Oshun State? Onitsha and Obosi people in Anambra State are still feuding? Junkuns and Igbiras; Tivs and Idomas; Zango Katafs and Hausa/Fulanis; Beroms and Fulanis etc have remained permanent cats and dogs. Then on the international sphere, the very recently created South Sudan have seen war erupt between the Dimkas and Jolof tribes. So internecine conflict will not end with the letting go of Biafra but should it be a bar to trying? Even families still fight amongst their members; and in nearly homogeneous societies such as one united by one religion, crisis still develop. Pakistan was primarily carved out as a safe-haven for Muslims from a Hindu-dominated India, to ensure peace among its muslim population,  yet they are still killing themselves.

It is a fact of life that things do not always usually go as planned; but like couples trapped in an arranged unhappy marriage, Icheoku says may be the different nationalities that constitute Nigeria should try a brief timeout from living together? They could give it a shot and be at liberty to later come back together as one, why not? It is an experiment that might be worth undertaking, considering the degree of restiveness currently pervading the country. A clobbered nationalities which who do not see themselves as one nor primarily as Nigerians; but who easily first identifies themselves based on their tribes. They don't care about Nigeria's survival, but only cares about what they can milk from it. 

This is the reason they are always insisting on their way or the highway for others; and thus, secretly wishing by their action that country's center do not hold but to fall apart and into pieces. Icheoku does not share in this their divisive and detrimental actions; and says that whatever happens, absent a more reinvented and revived Nigeria which is working for everyone, a peaceful dissolution of the entity might not be an out of place thinking. Such a peaceful dissolution as happened in the former Yugoslavia, might be  the best option for Nigeria under the present circumstance.  Better still, let Nigeria devolve into its regional components as truly federating units; and let every region compete with one another to be the best they can be, but still under the umbrella of one Nigeria. 

NNAMDI KANU IS BIGGER THAN BUHARI - KUKAH?

“This country cannot continue this way. MASSOB has right to demand Biafra since we have freedom of expression. The problem of Nigeria should not be with Kanu but should be with who let the door open. The President of Nigeria or any governor, unless he pays, cannot bring the number of people that Kanu brought out. The anxiety of Nigeria should be that a young man who can bring out such great number of people is worth doing business with." - Bishop Matthew Kukah. 

Icheoku says that possibly explains why he wants to cut him to size by continuing to detain him despite a duly granted and perfected bail releasing him from detention. Icheoku says Radio Biafra Nnamdi Kanu can only continue to grow bigger and will continue to dwarf the man who just finally got his certificate and a doctorate one for that matter, Dr President Muhammadu Buhari.

BIAFAN AGITATORS ARE TERRORISTS - JUNAID MOHAMMED.

"Next to the Boko Haram is the South-east terrorists, who have been on but very soon they are going to be demolished, like it is being done to Boko Haram. Now, tell me what they are, if they are not terrorists? What is the difference between what they are doing and what Boko Haram terrorists did or are still doing? As far as I am concerned, they are one and same thing." - Dr Junaid Mohammed. Icheoku says now the real trouble is about to begin in Nigeria with the impending crackdown on peaceful protesters.

CERTIFICATE OR NO CERTIFICATE, BUHARI IS NOW A DOCTOR?

Icheoku says thinking outside the box, the governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir el Rufai has magically cured the certificate albatross hounding President Muhammadu Buhari. By persuading the Kaduna State University to award the president an honorary doctorate degree, the president can now prefix his name with a 'DR' and to hell with all those antagonists who protest that the president does not have a First School Leaving Certificate. Icheoku queries what use is then a F.S.L.C. when the president now has a doctorate, for crying out loud? Icheoku says congratulations to Dr President Muhammad Buhari, the now "CERTIFICATED"president of Nigeria. All hail the doctor-president !!!.

IBN BALA NA'ALLAH, ANTI SOCIAL MEDIA SENATOR OF NIGERIA

Icheoku says like Adams Oshiuomhole of Edo State, this senator from Kebbi State gets his coat (suit) from a carpenter. What a testament to the caliber of human denigrates at the helm of affairs in Nigeria.

FIVE SIGNS OF A BAD MARRIAGE AND THEIR FIXES - NANCY JERGINS.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the sidelines at my daughter’s lacrosse game when I witnessed one of the 5 signs of a bad marriage unfold before me. A mother sitting nearby was cheerfully watching the game too, when a man walked up behind her. Without turning around to look at him, she brusquely said, “You’re late. What’s your excuse this time?” 

Ouch! After watching them over the next few minutes, I figured out that he was her husband. Of course, I have no idea what was going on in their marriage, and maybe the wife was just having a bad morning, but it reminded me that I should never talk to my husband that way in public (or in private, for that matter). If we do see any one of these signs of a bad marriage in our own relationship, we should regroup and try to correct the problem before it becomes too destructive. Here are the 5 signs of a bad marriage. 

1. You’re rude to each other:- No one can be polite 24/7; but, if rude is your default, there’s a problem. Rudeness is often a cover for resentment because of something your spouse has or has not done. It’s a way to get in nonphysical digs at your spouse. It also shows that you don’t find him or her worth the effort it takes to be courteous. 

How to fix it:- First, ask yourself why you’re being rude to him or her. Is it a passive-aggressive way to get back at him or her? Is there a bigger issue you need to discuss? After you’ve considered those questions, talk to your spouse and say something like this: “Josh (Jane), I know we’re both nice people, but I admit I haven’t been acting that way toward you. I apologize for being rude and short with you. I’m going to do my best to treat you with kindness.” Then, even if he or she doesn’t offer to reciprocate, move forward with your resolution. 

2. You disrespect each other in front of your children, friends and families:- It’s one thing to be snippy and disrespectful when no one is around. In that case, you’re only hurting yourselves. But if you act that way in front of your children, you’re hurting them too; in front of your friends that you don't value your spouse and in front of your family that you made a mistake in choosing him or her. 

How to fix it:- Children need to see their parents as a team – devoted to each other for the good of the family. When you tear down your husband in front of your kids, you are damaging your children’s sense of security. You want them to see their dad as a great guy. If you treat him disrespectfully, they’ll have negative feelings toward him too. Or, they’ll feel sorry for him and take his side over yours. In other words, your actions will either alienate your children from their father or from you. Either way is not good. So starting today, treat your husband respectfully in front of your children. (So also should spouses not tear down each other  before their friends and families)

3. You assume the worst about each other:- This is called negative interpretation, or mind reading. For example, if your husband says, “Where’s the dry cleaning?” You hear, “Why didn’t you pick up the dry cleaning? You never get it when it’s your turn.” When you’re in the “assume the worst” mindset, you also focus on your husband’s mistakes. Not only does this foster negative feelings in you toward your husband, it makes him feel pretty worthless in your eyes too.(Or using such words as 'you are a monster, animal, idiot, harlot, lazy, stupid and such other words and name-calling that does not uplift but tears down and belittles each other). 

How to fix it:- The fix is actually simple – assume the best. Don’t read a negative message into what your husband says, how he acts, or what he chooses to do. If in doubt, ask him what he meant and give him a chance to make himself clear. 

4. You don’t like spending time together with each other:- When you have spare time—whether it’s a free half hour after the kids have gone to bed or a weekend night when the kids are staying with their grandparents—if your husband or wife is not your first choice to be your free time companion, then you have a problem of bad marriage. And when you do spend time together, it turns tense. 

How to fix it:- The only way you will grow closer to your husband or wife is to spend quality time with them—that’s the first step. When you are together, make that time exempt from serious discussions or hot-button issues. Keep it light, keep it fun. Go in with a good attitude but not one full of resentment or mere toleration. Prepare yourself to have fun and be fun. 

5. You argue instead of discuss:- If every discussion turns into a battle of argument of who will win, you need to work on your communication skills with your spouse. I know that’s easier said than done, but it’s crucial. You both need to feel safe to bring up any topic. You need to be confident that while a discussion might get intense, it will not degenerate into yelling, name calling, temper tantrums or angrily walking off and away from each other. 

How to fix it:- The good news: You can learn to communicate better! Go to your husband and tell him that you want to be able to talk about things with him, but don’t point a finger at him. Then use these ideas to learn to discuss instead of argue.

SYRITA BOWEN, A WOMAN OF COURAGE

Icheoku says give it up to yet another great Amazonian, Syrita Bowen of Enid Oklahoma, for standing up for what was right and faced down what was wrong. If only the disgraced rapist policeman Daniel Koltzclaw knew that this 57 year old spunky grandmother would not accept to be raped by him, may be he would not have forced himself on her. Icheoku says a big standing O for another woman of America, who refused to keep quit, refused to become a service whore to a criminal policeman Koltzclaw and who also refused to remain silent when violated. Syrita Bowen, you are a great American and indeed newsworthy!

YOUR MARRIAGE NOT WORKING, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Icheoku says marriage or the shacking up together of two partners should not be a life in hell, except that spouses lie to each other just to get hitched. So whenever marriage is based on superficiality rather than substantive core infallible values, it is as good as marooned; moribund, dead on arrival and even before the honeymoon ever began. 

Icheoku says the best way to hedge your bet on finding a joyful marital relationship is to determine what is important to you at the onset. Do not hide who you are, your true colors, in your attempt to ensnare him or her; only to later start complaining that he or she has changed or that she or he is no longer who you married. People for most part do not change who they are, admitted they sometimes some insecure people may mask their true identity. Such a deceived spouse has every right to opt out or keep you miserable as the bargained was not the delivered. Keep it real and let he or she freely make up his or her mind and like you for what you truly are. Surprises are one sure way of evaporating trust and confidence and with it marital bliss. 

Marriage is a purely exclusive relationship between two willing, consenting souls, period. It is not a community affair and should exclude every other person including parents, families, colleagues and friends of both spouses. Even children of the marriage, where applicable, are still but guests to the union; hence they have and should enjoy only mere privileges because they have no rights whatsoever therein. Therefore it is injurious to a relationship for either spouse to try to supplant their children or any of the listed parties above far and above the other spouse. Your spouse should always remain the number one person, the first lady or first man, of the relationship. As Lady Diana once lamented, "there are too many of us in this marriage", lamenting the overbearing influence of the Queen in her marriage to Prince Charles which eventually torpedoed it; please do not suffer similar fate by alienating your spouse or subjugating him or her to irrelevance. 

But unfortunately, some spouses neglect this requirement as they relegate their spouse to the background or foot mat in their relationship. They elevate their children, parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, friends, colleagues and sometimes even their bosses and pastors into higher positions in their life. They allow these proverbial strangers more rungs in their ladder to the detriment of their spouse, who is treated as a mere appendage instead of a bona fides of the relationship.  Spouses craving a good, long lasting relationship must avoid anything that will so fundamentally and functionally change the structure of their relationship such that the other spouse is no longer occupying his or her coveted position.  Spouses should never devote more time and attention to these other people and thereby forsake or neglect the primary reason that created the environment. 

Always bear in mind that your parents have had their own moment in the sun; that your children will someday grow up and move away to move on with their own lives; that your friends are just friends and that your brothers and sisters do not get naked with you. There is a reason why it is called a union and not any other nomenclature. These fine points are however for those who desire and crave a good working relationship, otherwise, just unravel it by doing the opposite. Also remember it is called relationship because you relate to each other as it is never a boss and underling affair. Like God said, 'come let us make man', it is interactive and collegiate; the two parties put their heads together to find solutions as well as making decisions. 

Whatever you do, avoid imposing your will on each other and discuss any action or decision which is capable of inconveniencing or impacting the relationship. If your mother is going to move in, discuss and agree on it. If you are going to spend community resources on a relative, discuss and agree on it. If you are going to make a major decision concerning or involving the relationship or their resources, discuss and agree on it. Icheoku does not envisage or see a situation where any loving spouse will refuse or disagree on any good proposition that was respectfully tabled and convincingly marshaled out. But the cookie begins to crumble when a spouse becomes rather too obstinate and stubborn that it rises to stupidity, thinking that because of this and that, it is going to be his or her way or the highway. Respect is everything in every relationship and people want to believe that they are not invisible; so recognize and acknowledge your spouse as you would your boss and you will have an Eldorado to treasure.

Icheoku says if after observing all these and your marriage is still not working, may be you should consider hanging the boot or just hang in there and be more prayerful. But know that you are not alone as studies show that a good  percentage of marriages do not usually work as anticipated, principally because some of the preceding listed usually come in the way. So many marriages are alcoholic, Valium and other sedatives based; trying to make it one day at a time. It is a universal agreement that it is hard job which many speedily shove away. If after giving it your all and you still cannot take it any longer and wants out; it is good to know too that you are also not alone, neither the first nor will you be the last. Findings also show that close to 99.9% of married couples at one point or the other in their relationship contemplated opting out. 

While some lacked the courage to pull the trigger because they are afraid and skittish about life without marriage, others changed their minds due to one intervening reason or the other; and some others bravely walked the plank. Icheoku says if at the end of the day, you feel like it, seriously convinced that divorce is the best option for you, please for goodness sake, get it. For whatever the world might say, divorce is still a lesser evil than the killing of one's spouse. It is also a fact of consequence that so many couples have felt like and seriously contemplated killing their spouses before; while some others have carried through with it. However, before taking that irreversible step to perdition, please advise yourself properly of the terrible consequences of such an action; otherwise getting up and walking away might be a more palatable cause of action.

It is a pointer that marriage does not necessarily work when founded on weak links and at best, works with optimal, maximum sacrifices by both parties.  So if you want to make your marriage work, you have to commit and put in the necessary time required. That you are still in yours shows that you are striving to make it work. This is the most commendable step required, hanging in there and pushing it; except of course where you have given up and can no longer stand the heat in the kitchen, in which case, you have to do the needful by getting out of the kitchen. Many have called it quits, many are still working to fix theirs, while many are behind bars for taking the wrong action. There is no one quick fix or a silver bullet that ushers in a happy marriage;  you just have to work it to be what you want it to be. 

Money does not beget happy marriage, otherwise billionaires and millionaires will not be divorcing and sometimes killing each other too. Fame does not bring a happy marriage, otherwise  Hollywood and Nollywood stars will not be divorcing and killing each other too? Finding a model wife and a chiseled-chest husband is not it either as in this model-couple's world lies the most disruptive and dysfunctional marriages.  Children does not bring about a happy marriage either as spouses are known to have committed murder-suicide, killing all their children and spouse before taking their own lives too. Icheoku would proffer that friendship, companionship and compatibility of spouses appear to be the strongest super-glue that hold relationships. 

But in any event, just find something to hold unto to uplift your marriage and then rock and roll with it. But please stop wishing that you are with that dream spouse next door because you do not know what goes on behind their own closed doors. Forget those fake smiles, fancy cars, designer dresses and expansive mansions; they do not a happy home make, admitted they could purchase some level of comfort. So today decide to treasure what you have and observing the above, pray that you are not left lonely and alone in a supposed marriage. All the best campers and for all those still sitting on the fence, quivering, if you are tilting towards it, take that plunge as life must go on with or without happy marriages, although happy ones are preferred. Salute.

DANIEL HOLTZCLAW, CONVICTED RAPIST POLICE OF OKALHOMA CITY.

Icheoku says finally at last an all white jury stood up and did what was right in America, convicting an all American white police man for his crimes against the women he was sworn to serve and protect. The randy, rapist, night crawling police officer, formerly of Oklahoma City Police Department, was handed down a total of 263 years plus 30years in the slammer. Icheoku says congratulations to the jurors for once braving it to do what is right in America. Daniel Holtzclaw witnessed a Daniel come to judgment, convicted of raping and sexually victimizing eight women on his police beat, in a minority black, low-income neighborhood of Enid, a city near Oklahoma City. 

At 29 years old, that sucker will have a lengthy time to indeed reflect on his abuse of defenseless women, whom  he swore to protect and serve. But instead, hiding under the instrumentality of his office, an issued badge and a service pistol, he overwhelmed their resistance and had his way severally with them. But the jury said such cowardly, whimpering and weeping girlie-man's conduct, who hid under his badge and service pistol to commit one of the most reprehensible crimes of abuse of office and rape, cannot go unpunished and they recommended the maximum sentence of close to triple life sentences. 

Speak of taking undue advantage and abuse of power; and this jackass is eminently qualified as a perpetrator in chief. His crimes for which he was convicted include rape, sexual battery and procuring lewd exhibition. A man who was supposed to protect and serve decided to only service his penile appendage and from intimidate women. Icheoku agrees with Oklahoma county District Attorney David Prater that "Justice was done today, and a criminal wearing a uniform is going to prison now." What a pervert this disgraced police officer is that disgraced both his uniform and the trust of the community he was sworn to protect and serve. Daniel Holtzclaw is what a police officer is not supposed to be and he was not crying out of remorse but that he was caught and now convicted for his crimes; and he is going away for a lengthy prison sentence that might see him never making it out alive. 

ROBERT DEAR, A WARRIOR FOR BABIES?

Icheoku says definitely a cuckoo fit only for a permanent mental asylum confinement.

MASSOB'S RALPH UWAZULIKE, HAS HE LOST HIS RELEVANCE?

Icheoku says unfortunately the battle for the souls and minds of Biafran people for their leadership has ensued and is becoming ugly. The very reason Biafran antagonists, sarcastically say that they are worried that an independent Biafra would be plunged into perpetual turmoil because of internecine struggle for power. The leader or rather former leader of MASSOB, who is currently leading BIM, (Biafra Independent Movement), now feeling threatened by the high visibility and extreme popularity of Nnamdi Kanu, as the emerging or emerged arrow-head of Biafra, is now fighting for his life and fighting dirty, to remain relevant as the leader of Biafra. 

Icheoku admonishes that leaders are not self-imposed; they are thrown up by circumstances and organically emerges by the peoples' popular support. In this department therefore, Nnamdi Kanu is the man of the hour as every true blood Biafran agrees that he has shown the courage and audacity required for true-born leaders. Therefore, all Uwazulike can do now is to step aside and stay out of the way of a mass movement which is entirely different from his group of members only MASSOB. At best, Uwazulike can act as the father figure of the Biafran struggle; but he must not allow his ego to deceive him into thinking that his position trumps Nnamdi Kanu's. Icheoku says that Uwazulike's sun had risen and is now set; eclipsed by the newly emerged authentic leader of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Nnamdi Kanu is currently the man President Muhammadu Buhari's government of Nigeria is sleeplessly worried about; and is attacking with all it has just for standing up to call for a rebirth of a nation which is long since overdue. Nnamdi Kanu is the "EBEANO" and the "OHAMADIKE" of Biafra; so whatever Uwazulike had contributed to the struggle is hereby acknowledged as history.

But unfortunately instead of enjoying and celebrating with every Biafran with the current whirlwind called Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB (Indigenous Peoples of Biafra), Uwazulike is being the Grinch. But unlike the real Grinch that stole Christmas, Biafrans will not allow Uwazulike to take the shine out of what is going on nor its alter-ego Nnamdi Kanu. Uwazulike can form whatever number of organizations he likes or rename existing ones or rebrand his MASSOB, there is room for everybody, provided the agenda remains the same - Biafra rebirth. Icheoku says attacking Nnamdi Kanu will not cut it nor restore Uwazulike to an utopian height of his dreams as leader of Biafra. Therefore he must back off and back down from his present course of conduct,  attacking innocent Nnamdi Kanu and the IPOB who has done nothing to him or he will have another thing coming his way from the people of Biafra. Uwazulike does not won Biafra and neither did Ojukwu and therefore he does not have any exclusivity to the desire to have Biafra resuscitated.

Uwazulike who is suddenly now preaching against violence has been threatening violence for quite some time now; only that the lacked the bile to put his money where his mouth was. Uwazulike once threatened to go to war if the peaceful stance of MASSOB is not accorded due attention by the government. The same Uwazulike also threatened to go to war if the government continues to kill its members and if the continuous killing of Ndigbo in the North does not stop. In an interview with Daily Sun newspaper on June 20, 2011, Uwazulike regretted that the government has ignored his MASSOB group and threatened to take to violence like Boko Haram. In the same interview he congratulated Boko Haram and flirted with the idea of joining Boko Haram for adopting a method which works in Nigeria. In his own words, Uwazulike said, "I am telling you that if I have my way now, I will join Boko Haram and the entire country will turn into crisis, since it is what the Federal Government wants. I am saying it today that, I congratulate the Boko Haram people and I wish they will continue in their efforts and if I have my way, I will join them." 

Again on March 19, 2013 in the same Daily Sun newspapers, Uwazulike declared, “I am ready to declare another civil war in this country if this killings and other senseless activities on Ndigbo continue like this because I know that it was this type of massacre that brought about the first civil war in Nigeria.” Also on June 17, 2014 in another Daily Sun interview Uwazulike threatened, “It is most unreasonable to kill innocent people with bombs. Therefore, if this attempt to exterminate our people with bombs in any part of Igboland succeeds, what we will do will be unimaginable; the level of our reaction will be catastrophic. In this regards, nobody will ascertain the level of our unreasonableness.” Suddenly now Uwazulike is denouncing Radio Biafra Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB for adopting violence in the struggle of Biafra emancipation. So what is Ralph Uwazulike saying regarding violence, especially when none ever ensued? Where was violence used throughout these protests except that unleashed by the agents of the Nigeria government? 

Icheoku says Uwazulike apologizing for a mosque that was not burnt is cheap; apologizing for houses that were not burnt, is petty; apologizing for Northerners killed in the Southeast when none was killed, despite the thousands of Biafrans Ndigbo being killed every time in the North is seeking undue relevance and such nonsensical imbecility must cease and stop henceforth. Icheoku asks Uwazulike what has he done in his past fifteen years of leading MASSOB to avenge those Biafrans slaughtered daily in the North, including the 29 Adazi Nnukwu people, who were practically from the same extended family, that Boko Haram slaughtered in Taraba State? Icheoku says Uwazulike's claim that he  allegedly recruited and later fired Nnamdi Kanu from MASSOB is irrelevant and at best, an envious lamentation because his seed has now outgrown and surpassed him. It is regrettable that no former boss likes to see or is usually at ease at the progress of his former understudy. 

Icheoku asks Uwazulike to grow up and be more circumspect in his utterances before losing complete relevance in Igbo land and Biafra in general. Uwazulike should know that there is time for everything under the sun according to Ecclesiastes 1:3 and now is time for another true leader to emerge and he has emerged in Nnamdi Kanu. Uwazulike should consign himself to nurturing his new project BIM (Biafra Independence Movement) and see how he can help coordinate every other group similarly geared, towards making Biafra a mission accomplish instead of this apparent petulant obvious belly-aching. Finally to Uwazulike's poser, “Why must heaven fall because Nnamdi Kanu was arrested? What happened to Benjamin Oneuka who has been in prison because of Biafra?”, Icheoku says there is a great difference between a leader who effervesced from popular following and those pretenders and wanna-be leaders who crowned themselves. 

Moreso, the Biafran Zionist Movement's Benjamin Onueka going to burn down Lions Building Enugu, the future seat of power of an independent State of Biafra, is simply out of touch and unreasonable. Lastly, the same Ben Oneuka was violently engaged in his attempted overthrow and take over of Enugu State Government House; but this act of violence was glossed over by Uwazulike when he was pontificating his averse to adopting violent means in the struggle. But serving as a devil's advocate, just for purpose of argument, assuming that Uwazulike is the leader and has been leading the Biafran struggle since 1989, having not achieved his objective thus far, is it not about time he left the scene for another to try? But no, he would rather claw and scratch and dragged out kicking, instead of honorably stepping aside for a new thinking to take over the effort. Icheoku says now you know why this ebbing self-appointed leader of MASSOB Raphael Uwazulike, is seeing doubly red and very green with envy, because a new sheriff is in town and his followership dwarfs whatever his MASSOB leadership ever could muster. Icheoku says hail to the new chief and authentic Biafran leader emerged, Nnamdi Kanu. Uwazulike please move over to make way or you are toast.

BEHIND THE BIAFRAN AGITATION - EZEDI UDOM

Ever since the civil war, the government of Nigeria has maintained a belligerent posture against the southeastern region, only acquiescing it just what it thinks would enable it hold down the Igbo agitation. If we excuse all that happened during the war as part of the war, what can anyone say of various Nigerian policies since the end of the war? At the end of the war, the government of Gowon exchanged the deposits of Igbos in the banks prior to the war for not more than twenty pounds per depositor. Also in pursuance of the administration’s reconstruction agenda, Gowon did his work in Lagos despite the fact that the war was fought in the Eastern region. 

Another area to look at is the creation of states – from the four regions of Eastern, Mid-Western, Northern, Southern in 1963, to 12 states 1967 by General Yakubu Gowon; to 19 states in 1976 by General Murtala Muhammed; to 21 states in 1987 and 30 states in 1991, by General Ibrahim Babangida, and to 36 states in 1996 by Gen Sani Abacha? In the current composition, the North has 19 states representing 52.7 per cent; the then Eastern has nine or 25 per cent, the then Southern has six or 16.6 per cent and the then Mid-Western has two or 5.5 per cent. Senatorial constituencies, which are allotted three to each state, further shows the skewed power structure in favour of the Northern region. 

A look at the creation of the six geopolitical regions of the country, another political structure that is used in distributing the country’s commonwealth further shows the marginalisation of the southeastern region to the benefit of the North. The six geopolitical regions were distributed three to the then North, one to the then South, one for the then Mid-West and a part of the then East, and one for the then East. The same scenario is played out in the creation of local governments areas (LGAs) in Nigeria, which were also arbitrarily done by the same dictators. Of the 774 LGAs, the then Eastern Region has 24.9 per cent, Mid-Western has 5.5 per cent, Southern has 17 per cent, and the North has 51.8 per cent. 

Like the allocation of resources in Nigeria, the allocation of opportunities is also along this flawed structure. Most people from the then Biafra lost years of schooling as a result of the war that was fought on its territory but the Nigerian government did nothing to cushion the effect of this loss. It instead promulgated the federal character policy that supposedly intended to give equal opportunities to the states arbitrarily created by the northerners as against the constitutionally created regions. 

To further underscore the ulterior motive for this promulgation, the political office holders, who have been predominantly north, pick and choose when to apply this policy so that the North becomes the major beneficiaries. They apply it in academic, and not in job, opportunities. A case in point is that apart from the fact that no person from the Southeast occupies any of the five major political seats in the country, it does not have a seat in the first 35 appointments made by President Buhari. 

Prior to these appointments, Buhari had hinted on his anti-Southeast stance as he promised to favour only the regions that massively voted for him, using the commonwealth, hugely generated from the Southeast. And to further justify the Buhari’s stance, John Odigie-Oyegun, the national chairman of the APC condemned the Southeast region for voting the candidate of their choice, saying that they committed a political blunder “putting all their eggs in one basket”. The Southeast still await Buhari and Oyegun to explain if Buhari is the president of only those regions who voted for him. 

In the meantime, the exploited people ask to be allowed to go to where they will be better treated. They organised themselves and conducted themselves in a manner that should be commended, doing their peaceful protests and the government of the day labels them miscreants, secessionists, and now, terrorists and keeps threatening them. It hounds them into prisons in the most unconstitutional way, denying them bail, even in disobedience of a court ruling. 

Historically, Biafra has simply been a response of the oppressed, not an agitation for preferential treatment. It is a call to Nigeria to redress the injustices against a people or let them go. Biafra is an acknowledgement of oppression and a pointer to a haven for the oppressed, irrespective of where they come from. The reason Biafra keeps recurring in the Southeast is due to the fact that this same people have been the victims of deprivation throughout the history of independent Nigeria. The level of socio-economic development you could see in the region today was as a result of the individual and collective industry of the Igbo people; no serious contribution from the federal government. 

The best the Buhari government could do is to be courageous and seek ways of redressing the injustice against the people of the Southeast instead of the cowardly denial of the issue and hoping the problem will go away with threats upon threats. The least it could do if it does not want to redress this injustice, on the other hand, is to conduct a referendum to know the popular stance of the people and act accordingly. A stitch in time saves nine. The Biafra agitation has been nothing but commendable – no violence, no molestation, no disruption of the public peace – just peaceful protests. It contradicts the fixation that every Biafra is a call for war.