By Igbonekwu Ogazimora
Need we say more?
Nein!!
In hosting top level traditional rulers from Nigeria, none from the South East, and indeed, from the South-south is worth taking a seat by His Excellency the President.
And why should he allow rebels take such a seat when, by his most recent moves actions have come under way to get the Igbos ‘to learn their lessons…’ ala Arewa Youths.
It is most regrettable that General Buhari, the ramrod, upright officer, we knew even before he became military head of state can accept such provincial arrangement where he excludes a large and important section of Nigeria in his largely PR photograph.
And what is in a photograph, the high minded would ask.
A lot, I would say.
Buhari must dismiss his protocal staff for arranging this photograph which denies many sections of Nigeria the sense of belonging. The question, as in every democracy, is, who is seated? Who is standing? What we know is that those seated are the comforming first class chiefs. The rest standing are the boys.
Obi of Onitsha is a boy. Abba Kyari is a man.
What worsens the matter with the South East is that this is a region the same Buhari government, like Gowon’s, has inflicted with savagery military actions for no just reason.
Operation Python Dance II, is such slapped on the people without reasons. Even before the official opening slated for September 15, they had descended on Afara Ukwu to arrest their toy-boy, Nnamdi Kanu, but have, like Gowon’s army, shame-facedly denied their own actions of impunity.
Please, who would get Buhari, my personal first Presidential choice, regrettably though, to appreciate that IBB was not mad when he said it: “General Buhari was yet to understand that a country like Nigeria, with its varying sections, have their deep sentiments which cannot be ignored.”
We do not need any python, let alone a dancing one around.
IPOB has been vocal, but it is yet to deny anybody his right of self view.
I personally hold the view that “Restructuring” can no longer be postponed, and where restructuring fails in the urge for old regional arrangements, then state federating units (my first choice) should succeed.
Others have their views, and i have the right to hold mine. Those who are agitating have the right to do so, and it is no reason to drown us with predatory pythons, even as the protocol officerw never considered an Igwe or Eze of the South East desercing of a seat around Mr. President.
Source: Facebook